Reviewing the syllabus at the very start of the semester sets the tone for success. Too often, students dive into classes without ever taking the time to understand what’s coming. This quick read—just 20 minutes or so—can save hours of confusion and stress later. Below, we’ll explore seven things to watch out for in every syllabus, and why your student should make sure they’re ready for what’s ahead. Think of them as essential road signs on the journey through a course—ones that make it a lot easier to navigate from Day 1 to final exam week.

1. Course Goals & Objectives
This is where the professor spells out exactly what students are supposed to learn. Is it critical thinking? Analyzing data? Using a specific set of tools? If your student knows the course goals from the get-go, they can focus their efforts where it counts. Like a map on a road trip, these objectives offer a “big picture” view of where the class is headed.

• Action Step: Encourage your student to jot down the key objectives in their own words. This helps them “own” their learning journey rather than feel like a passenger.

2. Reading Schedule
No more surprise reading quizzes, or last-minute panic because the student forgot about a 50-page reading assignment. A reading schedule outlines which chapters or articles need to be tackled and when. By scanning it in advance, your student can plan weekly study times.

• Action Step: Have your student add each reading deadline into a planner or calendar app. Better yet, suggest they schedule blocks of time—like Tuesday or Thursday nights—for assigned reading, so they’re building consistent study habits instead of cramming.

3. Major Assignments & Deadlines
Midterms, final projects, essays, lab reports—these are the high-stakes tasks that can make or break a grade. The syllabus will lay them all out in chronological order. Often, professors detail the percentage each assignment carries toward the final grade, which is golden information for deciding where to spend the most energy.

• Action Step: Once your student sees all the major deadlines, encourage them to map them onto a calendar. That way, they can spot busy weeks and plan accordingly. It also helps them say “no” to extracurriculars if they see a major paper due that same week.

4. Grading Policies
Each professor handles grading a little differently. Some might give a lot of weight to group projects, while others rely heavily on final exams. Understanding exactly how each component is scored clarifies where to focus. If homework is worth 10% but quizzes are 30%, that’s a clue to study more for quizzes.

• Action Step: Teach your student to calculate possible scenarios. For instance, if they bomb one homework but do well on the quizzes, will that destroy their grade? By knowing the breakdown, they can avoid nasty surprises.

5. Participation & Attendance Requirements
Class participation might be worth 10% or more of the grade, or maybe attendance is mandatory for labs. Missing classes, especially if attendance is weighted, can quickly drag a grade down. Plus, it’s tough to catch up on missed content.

• Action Step: Encourage your student to commit to being mentally and physically present. If they know attendance counts, they’ll be less tempted to skip. And if discussion is graded, they’ll see the value in coming prepared so they can offer thoughtful input.

6. Instructor Contact & Office Hours
Every syllabus should include the professor’s contact info and office hours. This is an open invitation for help—yet so many students don’t take advantage. Encourage your student to note the times and plan at least one visit, even if just to say hello and ask for clarity on a topic.

• Action Step: Have them mark those office hours in a planner right away. That way, if they get stuck down the line, they already know how and when to reach the professor. This small step can make the difference between spinning their wheels and getting immediate, helpful feedback.

7. Key Dates for Breaks or Special Sessions
Long weekends or class cancellations can dramatically affect a student’s schedule. Sometimes professors add extra sessions outside regular class hours, especially before major exams. If your student ignores these changes, they might miss something crucial.

• Action Step: Remind them to highlight any date changes in bright colors on their calendar (digital or paper). This ensures they won’t be caught off guard when classes resume or when an extra session takes place.

How Long Should This Take?

Encourage your student to set aside 20 minutes to thoroughly review the syllabus for each class. That’s it. Twenty minutes of focus and note-taking right at the start can prevent hours of confusion and wasted time later on.

Why This Matters for Parents

You want your college student to thrive, not just survive. When they fail to review the syllabus, they’re missing a crucial tool that can keep their head above water. As a college success coach,  When they understand how to leverage the syllabus, they take one giant leap toward becoming more independent, organized, and capable of managing their own success.

The Final Checklist

Here’s a quick summary your student can keep handy:

1. Identify Course Objectives
2. Review Reading Schedules
3. Log Major Assignments & Deadlines
4. Understand Grading Policies
5. Note Participation & Attendance Requirements
6. Mark Instructor Contact Info & Office Hours
7. Highlight Key Dates (Breaks, Extra Sessions)

That’s it! Just 20 minutes per class at the start of the semester can lay the foundation for an incredible, balanced, low-stress semester. Encourage your student to keep this checklist within arm’s reach (like taped above their desk or pinned in a planner), and watch as they grow more confident, prepared, and excited to take on whatever challenges come their way.