• Why Do Some International Students Not Do As Well As They Should Academically?

• How Can You Lessen The Chances of These Pitfalls Happening To You?

• Should You Encounter Academic Difficulty, Where Can You Go For Help?

• Is There Any Other Information Particularly Useful To International Students
  Who May Be Unfamiliar With The U.S. Higher Education System?

Why Do Some International Students Not Do As Well As They Should Academically?

A survey of UM undergraduate international students who have not done well academically provided us with seven reasons why. They are listed below in order of importance:

1. Poor Test Results
2. Poor Attendance
3. Poor Written Component
4. Unprepared for Class
5. Assignments Done Carelessly
6. Never Attended Class
7. Late To Class

The Department of International Student and Scholar Services would like to help you avoid these pitfalls by letting you know what to expect and providing you with the resources necessary to overcome any difficulties you may encounter during your academic career. To that end, please read the following information carefully. Consider the areas in which you may need to improve and take action now. Remember that the most important thing you can do is get off to a good start, and correct any problems you encounter as soon as possible. If at any time you need assistance or direction please do not hesitate to come and see us. We are here to help you achieve your academic goals and nothing short of that will do!

How Can You Lessen The Chances of These Pitfalls Happening To You?

1. Poor Test Results: Study regularly. Tests in U.S. colleges are given frequently, so you must study on a daily basis. As a general guideline, you should study two to three hours outside class for every hour you are in class.

Find the study method that works best for you. You may prefer to study alone, or may get more benefit from a study group. The Academic Resource Center offers workshops and individual assistance on study techniques.

Keep in mind that in the large, and often fast-paced classes at the University, a student will have no indication of how effective his/her study techniques are until the first examination. Doing poorly in the first examination is always a shock, but need not be disastrous if you act quickly, and honestly appraise your study techniques. Follow the outlined steps:

First: Go see your instructor. A professor is never happy about giving a low grade on an examination. He/she would be happy to talk to you about what you did wrong, what the correct answers are, and how you might improve the situation.

Second: Evaluate your options, including a revision of your study habits. Have you been attending class? Have you been spending two to three hours of studying for every hour of class?

A. Change your Study Habits. You can improve if you are willing to change your study habits. Sit in the front row of the classroom; be on time for every class. Take notes and tape record your lecture if necessary. (Please note that you must obtain permission from the instructor before tape recording classes). Seek outside help sessions, and find a tutor. The Academic Resource Center, Math Lab, and several other academic departments offer free tutoring. Act immediately, and make a plan based on your discussion with the professor of what you need to do to better understand the course material.

B. Course Withdrawal. . If you and your instructor decide that you should consider withdrawing from the course, be aware that this is a decision to be made carefully.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) requires that you be enrolled full-time (12 credits if undergraduate, and 9 credits, if graduate). You are officially permitted to take fewer credits, one semester only, and for one of the following reasons: 1) difficulty with the English language, 2) unfamiliarity with American teaching methods or reading requirements, 3) placement at an improper course level, 4) during your final semester of study, or 5) illness, for which you are allowed a period of time not to exceed an aggregate of 12 months.

If you drop below the required credit load for any other reason, you put yourself out-of-status, which affects your employment and practical training eligibility, and you will need to be reinstated to proper immigration status. Please discuss any course load reduction with your advisor at International Student and Scholar Services so that you understand what is involved.

Third: Put the examination behind you. After you have decided on one of the two options, act positively. Don't let one examination defeat you.

Face the problem professionally and rationally. A failure in the classroom in no way reflects on you as a person.

If you continue to have problems academically, speak to your academic advisor about your class load and study habits.

2. Poor Attendance: Regular and punctual class attendance is vital. Each instructor will announce during the first meeting of a class the penalties for non-attendance and for missed quizzes and examinations, since these vary. Any student may be dropped from a course or can receive a lower grade for unauthorized absences in excess of those permitted without penalty by the instructor.

Attend class from the first scheduled day. Never miss a class unless you are ill. Chronic absence is seen as a lack of a serious attitude toward the course.

If you are ill and miss a class, always check with the instructor to see what work you have missed and how it is to be made up. The instructor may request to see a doctor's note if there is a long absence.

3. Poor Written Component: Term papers will be assigned in many classes. Be sure to start your preparation for any term papers as soon as possible.

Proofread your work carefully before submitting it to your professor. Take steps to improve your writing skills now, if necessary. The Writing Center can provide assistance with all stages of the writing process.

4. Unprepared for Class: Learn to take concise and meaningful notes, both while preparing assignments or attending lectures.

Keep a step ahead. Read the assignment before the lecture, and review notes from the previous lecture.

In a discussion class, ask questions and express your opinions. Instructors count on this! Do not be afraid to express a viewpoint different from that of your instructor.

Understand and be able to use the material from the classroom instead of merely memorizing it.

5. Assignments Done Carelessly: Prepare each assignment before the next class. If you do not, you will waste your time trying to understand the class discussion or lecture.

Should you not understand any assignment or material, talk to your instructor. Make an appointment to see him/her during office hours, or simply talk to the instructor after class.

Extra work in the library is usual. Textbook material is usually supplemented by required library reading. The University Library offers tours to acquaint you with library facilities.

6. Never Attended Class: We cannot emphasize enough the importance of attending class. Many professors will take class attendance in account as a percentage of your final grade. Often professors will cover material in class that is not taken from your textbooks but rather a different source.

7. Late to Class: Arriving late to class is discourteous and demonstrates a lack of regard for the professor and the material he/she is trying to teach you. Be on time! If you have a problem managing your time investigate ways you can improve your time management skills. 

8. Coping With Culture Shock: Although not listed in the top seven reasons, "culture shock" is a non-academic problem you may encounter that can adversely affect your academic performance. You may not be able to avoid experiencing culture shock; however, understanding why you feel a certain way may help you to work through it, consequently lessening its impact. Enclosed in the packet given to you at International Student Orientation is information about culture shock. If you feel you need more help adjusting, the Counseling Center can provide assistance in this and other areas.

The basis of the final grade varies from class to class. Your instructor will explain which factors enter into the final grade that you receive for a course.

 Should You Encounter Academic Difficulty, Where Can You Go For Help?

Is There Any Other Information Particularly Useful To International Students Who May Be Unfamiliar With The U.S. Higher Education System?

The Academic Advising System: All new students are assigned an academic advisor within the particular school or college to which they have been admitted. Be sure to meet your academic advisor to discuss your scheduling and your curriculum, and, most important, be aware of your college or school’s requirements as set forth in the University of Miami Undergraduate or Graduate Bulletin available online for the year you entered the University to begin your degree. The Undergraduate Bulletin is available from the Office of Admission and the Graduate Bulletin can be obtained from the Graduate School.

Academic advising may be one of the most important aspects of your university life. Too often, students consider it as merely the selection and approval of courses at the beginning of a semester. Rather it should be an on-going dialogue, hopefully on a personal basis, between the student and his faculty advisor in order that your hopes and expectations, your strengths and weaknesses, your academic, career, and life goals can be evaluated and taken into account. The American University system regards each student as a unique individual, separate and distinct from all others, even in the same major field of study.

Please note that we have referred to this advising procedure as a dialogue. You are an active partner in that dialogue, particularly since university policy ultimately places the responsibility for planning an academic program upon the student. You must familiarize yourself with the requirements of the university and of the school in which you are enrolled.

You have choices to make! Be certain of your academic preparation for the courses you intend to take each semester. It would be unwise, for example, to enroll in a calculus course if you are doubtful of your preparation in mathematics -- even though the course may be listed for your first semester in your major. Consultation with your academic advisor should produce a preparatory mathematics course within your present capabilities. Do not feel embarrassed to follow this route. We have all found ourselves in this predicament. We all learned to walk before we learned to run.

There are choices to be made even within the most rigidly controlled curriculum -- socio-humanistic electives in the College of Engineering for example. Check your Bulletin for course descriptions and requirements and follow your own personal interest and curiosity.

If you are in any doubt at any time about your courses, your academic progress, your grades, or if a personal problem should arise, please do not hesitate to speak to your academic advisor.

Academic Standing: A student is in good academic standing when he/she maintains a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students.

Undergraduate students whose semester GPA falls below 2.0 will receive a warning, and must meet with their academic advisor before enrolling for the following semester. Freshmen (1st year undergraduate) students who receive a midterm grade of D or E in any course might receive a midterm warning and must meet with their academic advisor within two weeks of the distribution of midterm grade reports.

Undergraduates other than those in their first semester whose cumulative GPA falls below the following levels will be placed on academic probation:

An undergraduate student who remains in probationary status for two consecutive semesters will be subject to dismissal. The decision to dismiss will be made by the Academic Standing Committee of the school in which the student is enrolled. If a decision is not made to dismiss, the student will still be on probation.

The University of Miami Honor Code: All students at the University of Miami are expected to conduct themselves in an honest manner with regard to academic requirements. The University of Miami Honor Code was “established for the undergraduate student body, to protect the academic integrity of the University of Miami, to encourage consistent ethical behavior among undergraduate students, and to foster a climate of fair competition.” This Code “is intended to provide an added measure of assurance that, in fulfilling the University requirements, a student’s work will never involve falsification, plagiarism or other deception regarding the true nature of the materials presented.” Violations of the Honor Code are brought before the Honor Council, and may lead to suspension or expulsion from the University.

Definition of Plagiarism: The following essay on plagiarism was written by Jose E. Romero, Ph.D. The word “cheating" is probably more familiar to you than the word “plagiarism". “To cheat” means: “... to deal with dishonestly for one’s own gain...to deceive by trickery, to practice fraud or deception...” (Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, William Collins & World Publishing Co., Inc., Cleveland, 1974.) Within an academic environment, it basically means to copy from your neighbor classmate’s quiz or test in class. Most societies in the world perceive this behavior as unethical and penalize this act. Americans consider cheating a particularly serious offense. If an instructor finds you cheating in an exam or quiz, YOU COULD GET INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE. Please don’t!!!

Within an international context, “cheating” seems an easier concept to understand than “plagiarism.” “To plagiarize”  means: “...to take (ideas, writings, etc.) from (another) and pass them off as one’s own.” (Idem) This, simply stated, means to claim that you have written something when in fact someone else has.

The negative connotation of plagiarism varies from culture to culture. Cultural norms in the USA strongly support specific individualism and private property. Knowledge developed by a specific individual is considered private property, particularly when it is protected by a “copyright” law. The latter means that you cannot reproduce certain information without the consent of its author. Individuals who fail to obtain express permission may be legally prosecuted.

While you are a student at the University, you will be required to write “position papers” (“papers”). Your instructor will request your opinion about a specific subject matter. For this purpose you will be referred to one or more sources (readings). When writing your papers, YOU HAVE TO CLEARLY SPECIFY THE INFORMATION BELONGING TO YOU AND THE INFORMATION BELONGING TO A SPECIFIC AUTHOR. You do this by simply including quotation marks (“) at the beginning and at the end of the quote which is the sentence/s belonging to a specific author. Also, make sure to indicate the source of your information (author, title, journal, place, year, etc.) You can either write a note at the end of the page where you are including the quote or include the source at the end of your paper. Make sure to follow your professor’s instructions. Also, when in doubt, ask. Most professors will respond to your questions if you behave politely. You may approach your instructor immediately after class or during their office hours (important to keep in mind).

Grade Point Average: GPA is used to determine standing in class, eligibility for graduation, and for honors. It also serves to qualify the student for continuation in good standing and as one criterion for decisions pertaining to probation and dismissal, continuation of scholarships, and other matters.

Quality points per credit are awarded as follows:

Your GPA is determined by dividing the total quality points by the number of credit hours attempted.

Example:

Mathematical Notation in the United States:
Mathematical notation is generally universal in nature. However, there are a few items in U.S. mathematical notation which may be different from those with which you are familiar. Below is the basic notation used in the U.S.:

Basic Operations

This last example is a division sign. Do not confuse it with the root sign, which is the following:

√4 = 2

Another example:

Division: 3√(3/9)

Cube root: ³ √27 = 3

Reversal of Comma and Decimal Point (Period): In some countries thousands, millions, and decimals are separated according to a system which is the reverse of that used in the U.S. These systems are sometimes called the "English" system and the "European" system.

U.S./English System: $2,200.35
European System:     $2.200,35

U.S./English System: 3,000,000
European System:     3.000.000

If you encounter other types of notation which are unfamiliar to you, do not hesitate to ask about their meaning.