What Is Postsecondary Learning?

Every postsecondary institution has its own course requirements for different programs and degrees. This information is available in a printed course catalog or online. While academic advisors are generally assigned to students to help them plot their path through postsecondary institution and take the most appropriate courses, you should also take this responsibility yourself to ensure you are registering for courses that fit well into your plan for a program completion or degree. In general there are three types of courses:

1. Core courses, which are required by all students who graduate with a specific degree. They may be specific courses or a selection from a larger list. As you advance, you have more opportunity to choose the classes you want to take.
2. Required courses in your major are determined by individual academic departments. Whether you choose to major in accounting, marketing, math, engineering, history or any other field, your individual department sets specific required courses you must take and gives you options for a required additional number of credits in the department. You may not need to declare a major for a while, but this is something you can start thinking about now.
3. Electives are courses you choose freely to complete the total number of postsecondary institution credits needed for your program or degree. How many electives you may take, how they “count” toward your total, and what kinds of courses are acceptable as electives all vary considerably among different schools and programs.

Most important is that you understand what courses you need and how each counts. Study the postsecondary institution catalog carefully and be sure to talk things over fully with your advisor. Don’t just sign up for courses that sound interesting—you might end up taking courses that don’t count toward your degree at all.

In addition, each term you may have to choose how many courses or hours to take. Colleges and Universities have rules about the maximum number of hours allowed for full-time students, but this maximum may be more than you are prepared to manage—especially if you work or have other responsibilities. Taking a light course load, while allowing more time for studying and other activities, could add up over time and result in an extra full year of postsecondary institution (or more!)—at significant additional expense. Part-time students often face decisions based more on time issues. Everyone’s situation is unique, however, and all students should talk this issue over with their advisor each year or term.

Large Classes, Small Classes

While most high school classes are fairly small, many postsecondary institution classes are large—up to several hundred students in a large lecture class. Other classes will be as small as high school classes. In large classes you may feel anonymous or invisible. Don’t disappear! Here are some common mistaken assumptions and attitudes about large classes:

• The instructor won’t notice me sitting there, so I can check e-mail or read for a different class if I get bored.
• The instructor doesn’t know my name or recognize me, so I don’t even need to go to class as long as I can borrow someone’s notes to find out what happens.
• I hate listening to lectures, so I might as well think about something else because I’m not going to learn anything this way anyway.

These comments all share the same flawed attitude: it’s up to the instructor to teach in an entertaining way if I am to learn, and it’s actually the postsecondary institution’s or instructor’s fault that I’m stuck in this large class, so they’re to blame if I think about or do other things. You have more control over the situation than you think.

If you dislike large lecture classes but can’t avoid them, the best solution is to learn how to learn in such a situation. Later chapters will give you tips for improving this experience. Just remember that it’s up to you to stay actively engaged in your own learning while in postsecondary institution—it’s not the instructor’s job to entertain you enough to “make” you learn.

There is one thing you need to know right away. Even in a lecture hall holding three hundred students, there’s a good chance that the instructors and TAs know who you are, and that’s a good thing! Interacting with instructors is a crucial part of education—and the primary way students learn. Successful interaction begins with good communication and mutual respect. If you want your instructors to respect you, then you need to show respect for them and their classes as well.

Asking a question of the professor after class, sitting near the front, and engaging in class discussion will help your instructors get to know you, and help you feel less like a number.

Online Courses

Postsecondary Institution Policies

A college or university campus is almost like a small town—or country—unto itself. The campus has its own police force, its own government, its own stores, its own ID cards, its own parking rules, and so on. Colleges and Universities also have their own policies regarding many types of activities and behaviors. Students who do not understand the rules can sometimes find themselves in trouble.

The most important academic policy is academic honesty. Cheating is taken very seriously. Some high school students may have only received a slap on the wrist if caught looking at another student’s paper during a test or turning in a paper containing sentences or paragraphs found online or purchased from a “term-paper mill.” In many postsecondary institutions, academic dishonesty like this may result in automatic failure of the course—or even expulsion from university. The principle of academic honesty is simple: every student must do their own work. If you have any doubt of what this means for a paper you are writing, a project you are doing with other students, or anything else, check the college website for its policy statements or talk with your instructor.

Post-secondary institutions also have policies about alcohol and drug use, sexual harassment, hazing, hate crimes, and other potential problems. Residence halls have policies about noise limits, visitors, hours, structural and cosmetic alterations of university property, and so on. The university registrar has policies about course add and drop dates, payment schedules and refunds, and the like. Such policies are designed to ensure that all students have the same right to a quality education—one not unfairly interrupted by the actions of others. You can find these policies on the university website or in the catalog.

Postsecondary Institution Resources

To be successful in postsecondary, you need to be fully informed and make wise decisions about the courses you register for, policies, and additional resources. Always remember that your college wants you to succeed. That means that if you are having any difficulties or have any questions whose answers you are unsure about, there are resources available to help you get assistance or find answers. This is true of both academic and personal issues that could potentially disrupt your university experience. Never hesitate to go looking for help or information, but realize that usually you have to take the first step.

The college’s website is the second place to look for help. Students are often surprised to see how much information is available online, including information about programs, offices, special assistance programs, and so on, as well as helpful information such as studying tips, personal health, financial help, and other resources. Take some time to explore your postsecondary institutions’s website and learn what is available; this could save you a lot of time in the future if you experience any difficulty.

In addition, many postsecondary institutions have offices or individuals that can help in a variety of ways. Following are some of the resources your postsecondary institution may have. Learn more about your postsecondary institution’s resources online or by visiting the office of student services or the dean of students.

• Academic advising office. This office helps you choose courses and plan your program or degree. You should have a personal meeting at least once every term.
• Counselling office. This office helps with personal problems, including health, stress management, interpersonal issues, and so on.
• Tutoring or skill centers. The title of this resource varies among universities, but most have special places where students can go for additional help for their courses. There may be a separate math center, writing center, or general study skills center.
• Computer lab. Before almost all students became skilled in computer use and had their own computers, universities built labs where students could use campus computers and receive training or help resolving technical problems. Many campuses still maintain computer centers to assist students with technical issues.
• Student health clinic. In addition to providing some basic medical care and making referrals, most university student health centers also help with issues such as diet and exercise counseling, birth control services, and preventive health care.
• Career guidance or placement office. This center can help you find a student job or internship, plan for your career after graduation, and receive career counseling.

• Office for students with disabilities. This office may provide various services to help students with disabilities adapt within the university environment.
• Residence office. This office not only controls campus residential housing but often assists students to find off-campus private accommodations.
• Diversity office. This office promotes cultural awareness on campus, runs special programs, and assists diverse students with adjusting to campus culture.
• Office of student affairs or student organizations. Participating in a group of like-minded students often supports academic success.
• Athletic center. Most universities have exercise equipment, pools, courts and tracks, and other resources open to all students. Take advantage of this to improve or maintain your personal health, which promotes academic success.
• Other specialized offices for student populations. These may include an office supporting students who speak English as a second language, adult students returning to university, international students, religious students, students with children (possibly a child-care center), veterans of the armed services, students preparing for certain types of careers, and so on.
• Your instructors. It never hurts to ask a friendly instructor if he or she knows of any additional university resources you haven’t yet discovered. There may be a brand new program on campus, or a certain department may offer a service not widely promoted through the university Web site.

Everyone needs help at some time—you should never feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek help.