Penn State Learning Culture & Academic Expectations

To help you prepare for your learning experience here at Penn State, we've pulled together a few guidelines that will be helpful to you especially as you transition into becoming a Penn State student. Expectation setting is an important aspect of higher education. There are three key areas that may be most valuable to you: what Penn State expects from you, what you can expect from your professors, and what you can expect from different class formats. 

 

What Penn State expects from you...

Responsibility

As a Penn State student, you are expected to take responsibility for your learning, your work, and your conduct. This takes many forms, including:

  • Reading your syllabus (see the syllabus page later in the module for details).
  • Communicating your questions and needs with your instructors.
  • Committing to a regular study schedule.
  • Consulting with your academic advisers to ensure you are taking the appropriate courses to complete your degree.
  • Taking advantage of the many resources that are freely available to help you be successful.

 

Engagement

Within the classroom, interactions with professors may be very different from what you are used to. The academic culture in America values engagement and discussion. You should contact your instructor with any questions you have. They want to see you be successful. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when engaging in your courses:

  • Read the syllabus - it will provide a clear understanding of the instructor's expectations.
  • Find the method of communication that works for you and your instructor. This is especially important if you are not comfortable speaking in front of the class.
  • Participate in classroom discussions, both online and in-person. More details about effective discussions can be found later in this module.
  • Attend your professor's office hours. This is a great opportunity to receive one-on-one support from your professors. 

 

Respect for Diversity

Penn State is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive learning space for all people. You might find that Penn State is more diverse than other cultures you are familiar with and it is important that you embrace the differences you encounter and learn to work with everyone. It is a wonderful environment for you to engage with and to learn perspectives from people that differ from you in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socio-economic background.

Visit Penn State's Educational Equity Links to an external site. website to learn more about Penn State's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

Independent Work

Unless specifically mentioned, Penn State students are expected to do their own work and cite their sources properly. You will learn more about independent work in the Academic Integrity Module.

 

What you can expect from Penn State professors

The classroom experience might be different from what you have experienced in the past. In order to be successful at Penn State, it is important to embrace these differences. Some examples of how the classroom might be different include:

  • Professors are friendlier and more likely to engage with you and develop closer student-professor relationships.
  • Professors have posted office hours when they are available for you to ask questions or get additional help. Instructors appreciate it when students attend office hours and look forward to one-on-one time to meet with students. Please take advantage of this!
  • Many professors require students to work in groups or participate in interactive activities.
  • Students receive more individual feedback and attention.

 

What you can expect from various types of Penn State courses

Penn State courses come in many various formats depending on the subject, the number of students, and the teaching style of the professor. You will find some typical examples below.

  • Large lecture classes are classes that have more than 50 students. The professor usually stands in front and lectures while the students sit quietly and take notes. In some cases, faculty will use iclickers or other polling technology to encourage active participation in the class.

  • Smaller lecture classes are classes with 20-50 students. These classes have a variety of formats that can include traditional lectures, group work, and classroom discussions.

  • Seminar classes typically have 10-20 students and most often require that students come to class prepared to engage in extensive classroom discussions.

  • Laboratory and studio classes involve your active participation in activities related to the topic of the course, such as completing science experiments, acting, painting, etc.

NOTE: Make sure to check the syllabus because expectations for each course can be different.