Doc Z again....
We're about 4 and 1/2 weeks away from the start of school. I'm sure while in high school and as you made your choice to go to college, many people shared information about what it would be like and what you needed to do when you came to college. Your parents may have shared some of their experiences if they went to college (Not everything.... I think not!!!), older sibs, older friends, even relatives.
So let's deal with myths and truths.....
To start... Truth... a college experience is a very personal thing. Every one has their own college experience. And just because someone says something happened to them, doesn't mean it will happen to you.
Myth... college classes are harder than high school classes. You are going to have to study a lot.
Truth... you will have some easy classes that you will not have to study very hard for if at all. However, there will be courses that are rigorous and will have a lot of required reading and assignments. As for harder or more difficult.... the point is you wouldn't be here if you couldn't do the work. We tend to work harder and do better in subjects we "like". The one's we don't like, we don't work at and therefore don't do well in.
Myth... if your roommate dies during the semester, the university will give you all A's for your grades that semester.
Truth... there is no such policy at Kent. It doesn't happen.
Myth... greek organizations (viz. fraternities and sororities) are for those who need to "buy" friends or have an active "partying" / social life.
Truth... greek organizations provide a range of activities for members beyond "partying" and socials. Each greek organization has its own program of activities many which focus on its members. Being socially active is a big part of greek life, but socially active is not what you have seen portrayed in movies or tv. People go greek because they enjoy the company of other greeks, take advantage of the networking opportunities, and want the camaraderie of like minded people.
Myth... some buildings on campus require elevator passes.
Truth... no such thing.
Myth... doing extra credit can bring your grades up to an "A" in some classes.
Truth... check the syllabus. Many faculty will allow you to improve your grade by providing opportunities for extra credit. Not all faculty provide for extra credit. In fact some faculty, my self included, will allow extra credit to raise a grade from "D" to "C" or "C" to "B" only. No going from "D" to "B" and an "A" cannot be made through extra credit.
Myth... only greeks are allowed to paint the front campus rock.
Truth... it only seems like that. Anyone, group or individual, can paint the front campus rock. At times the coats of paint on the rock have been up to an inch thick. There have been times when the rock has been painted over four times in a single 24 hour period.
So have you heard something about KSU or college that you would like to know the truth about?
If I know I'll provide a response. If I don't know I'll get an answer for you. Ask away!
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I have heard the grading scale is much different at college, depending on what kind of scale the professor uses. Is that true?
True. There are many grading scales!!!!
Each instructor is free to establish a grading scale and procedure for their respective class. There are several ways instructors use grading scales.
Point scales (Points are awarded for assignments and exams)
If it is a "mastery" course where you are to develop specific skills, often you will be able to earn "points" and will be allowed to resubmit assignments to improve your point count (viz. actually increase your grade). Instructors may provide a rubric which will actually describe how and for what points are given. In those courses improvement and mastery are rewarded with the grade you can earn. So many points are needed for an A, for a B, and so on.
Percent scales using points...
Some instructors award differing amounts of points for assignments and tests. You may have 434 points total available to earn. You figure your percentage by dividing possible points into the points you earned.
pts. earned on assignments & tests
__________________________________
possible pts on assignments & tests
The other percentage method is where the instructor sets the number of points for assignments and exams for the semester to 100. So points earned ar actually percentage points.
Then the instructor will set the letter grades based on percentage.
Yes there are some scales that are set up like this...
90%<100% = A
80%<89% = B
70%<79% = C
60%<69% = D
<59% = F
and +'s and -'s are given.
There are a number of professors like myself that use a different scale breakdown for percentages...
[Ask yourself this... if C is average, do you want someone who is only right in what they know at a level of 75% to be your doctor, lawyer, accountant, or parachute stuffer? I'm sorry but a mastery level of 75% as reflected by grades is not high enough for them to be dependable.]
In your major a more appropriate scale is....
94%<100% = A
87%<93.9% = B
79%<86.9% = C
Actually below a C+ is not acceptable in your major. In my experience a student achieving less than 80% of the points winds up being a student that drops the class or receives D/F and changes their major.
Letter grades with no points
Some instructors just give letter grades for assignments and papers.
NOTE: Giving letter grades with points can be very subjective (read this as "biased").
Sometimes they will weight them... papers are twice the weight of an assignment.
To figure out your grade, you average across grades. (Use the same procedure for figuring GPA.)
A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0
Example: You get A, B, B, C, A, B on 6 assignments and an A and a B for two papers (papers worth 2x an assignment).
(grade points)
4+3+3+2+4+3 and 8+6 = 36
(grade weights)
1+1+1+1+1+1 and 2+2 = 10
Dividing grade points by weights gives you a 3.6 which is a "high" B.
Last word about grading at the university....
ALWAYS CHECK YOUR COURSE SYLLABUS FOR THE GRADING PROCEDURE AND GRADING SCALE.
Thanks Doc Z! I have one more question too concerning the Namesake book we are reading for the summer...do we have to write a paper on it? Someone told me we did and we don't know what we have to write about if that's true.
kristen,
My best friend told me she got a paper in the mail, so I went back through all of my mail from Kent and didn't find anything. I searched on the Kent website though and found the page.. I didn't save the link but you should be able to find it on the website.
found it :)
http://explore.kent.edu/fye/SummerReading_files/SummerReadingAssignment.pdf
Alex,
Thank you so much! Yeah I've been looking through all my Kent mail too (all 600 pages of it haha) and I couldn't find anything. You're a life savor! Thanks again! :)
Kristen,
I have no plans to require any paper over the summer reading.
Doc Z
doc z,
I'm confused about the summer reading as well as the book discussion. Will that take place in our class with you? Also, aren't we required to do that assignment? I thought it said in our WOW booklet we had to.
wait... so do we have to write the paper?
i've read it, i have just been procrastinating =)
hey guys.. about this summer reading paper.. i have found soo many ppl that didnt know about it.. i didnt know about it eathier till my best friend told me that she got something in the mail.. so had to start re-reading it with the paper in mind.. so i got it done, just incase we have to hand in this paper.. but if anyone finds anything out about it, let me know please!
hey guys, i found out late about the paper too. I know Kent was supposed to send a letter to everyone, but I never got one and by reading everyone's responses, I see that a lot of you didn't get one either. The only way I found out about it was by looking on the internet and finding that site that Alex posted.
Dr. Z, I saw your message to Kristin regarding the paper....so are we supposed to write a paper or are you not requesting one?
I will not be leading the discussions during the WOW (week of welcome) activity. Someone else will be coming in to lead the discussion. The written assignment is to have you come prepared to discuss the book according to one of the five principles. I would suggest you come prepared to discuss and possibly prepare your points you wish to make in written format as they have suggested. As I stated before, I have no intention of collecting these as written assignments.
Doc Z
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