This presentation provides incoming Syracuse University freshmen with tips for academic success. It covers five main topics: grade expectations, studying, time management, college writing, and available resources. Students are advised to set reasonable grade goals, study for 24-36 hours per week, manage their time effectively by starting assignments early and avoiding procrastination, write papers with a clear focus and through multiple revisions, and take advantage of the university's writing center and other academic support services. The overall message is that proper preparation and time management are key to achieving good grades in college.

1. Becoming a Successful
Student at Syracuse
University
By Rami Fayad , Anthony Cassera, Jack
Durrani, & Christine Allawh

2. Presentation
This presentation will consist of 5 topics incoming
freshman college students should become familiar with:
- Grade expectations
- Studying
- Time management
- College writing tips
- Available Resources

3. Grade Expectations
Not every student can have a 4.0 GPA right off the bat, but
setting reasonable academic goals for the semester can help
you get an idea of what to expect from yourself in each course.
Students should know that their first semester grades may not
be the most important of their college career, but they can
certainly be the most impressionable, and can have a impact
on what grades they are satisfied with in the future.
USAtoday.com states that the average GPA among four-year
college students is about 3.11, or a B.

4. Studying
Getting into the habit of studying often is one of the
most important things you can do as a first-year
freshman, as it can help you set a schedule for how
many hours each week will be spent doing schoolwork.
You should set aside a certain amount of hours each
day where you can be at a place free of distractions and
catch up on homework, reading, or test preparation.
UMflint.edu suggests 24-36 hours of work each week
would be exceptional for a course load of 12 credits.

5. Time Management
Your whole day can’t be spent writing papers and skimming
textbooks. Deciding ahead of time when you’re going to
work can help give you extra time throughout the day.
Losing track of time is easy with all the independence
you’ve gained by living away from home, and
procrastination is almost definite to happen.
While procrastination is very hard to avoid you can try by
thinking about the consequences, realizing your excuses,
and taking short breaks while doing assignments.

6. Time Management (continued)
Many classes will give out assignments that allow you more than
enough time to complete them, especially in your first semester.
Completing homework early gives you more downtime, but that
doesn’t mean after your homework is done you can relax for the
rest of the day. If you have plenty of hours free catch up on your
classes every now and then to make sure you understand the
material.
Making sure each day is a productive one is a good way to
maintain a routine of good time management over the whole
semester.

7. College Writing Tips
Starting papers early gives you time later on to
complete and revise them a few times.
Try to be yourself in essays, write about something
significant to you rather than what you think will get a
good grade.
Be honest about your work because colleges take
plagiarism much more seriously than high schools.
Punishments can range from failing the class to being
expelled.

8. College Writing Tips (continued)
Stay focused on your topic throughout your
paper, always remain clear about your position.
Go over your paper once you’re finished at least
twice to make sure your spelling and grammar
are correct, as well as make improvements.
Don’t be afraid to start over, not every final draft
will satisfy you on the first try.

9. Available Resources
Syracuse University has plenty of services for academic and
personal help. The university’s writing center provides help for
anyone who would like in-person assistance on any
assignments, and can be reached at wc.syr.edu.
Your professors and advisors are always ready to help you
during class and outside of class by email or their office hours
when you can visit them.
Getting to know people in each of your classes can give you a
second opinion on your work. Asking a friend to look over an
assignment for you is always an option.

10. Video
High School You Vs. College You

11. The End

12. Citation/References
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/21/college-grade-
inflation-what-does-an-mean/3662003/ (Grade Expectations Slide)
https://www.umflint.edu/advising/surviving_college (Studying Slide)
http://www.communitycollegesuccess.com/2011/05/10-ways-to-stop-
procrastination-today.html (Time Management Slide)
http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/articles/Pages/Top-Ten-Tips-for-Writing-
a-College-Essay-.aspx (College Writing Tips Slide, College Writing Tips
(continued) Slide)
http://wc.syr.edu (Available Resources Slide)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-QOF-qUAUw (Video Slide)