Want to improve your ability to absorb and retain information your instructor shares with you in class and in Canvas? Once you hone your chops in Canvas, pinpoint your instructor's expectations for you, and know which tools you need to use to help you do your work, you will see better grades, more information retention, and a better overall academic experience.
Four key elements of navigating the classroom
If you want to do well in any class, accomplishing these 4 guidelines will keep you on track for success:
Know Canvas inside and out
Because each instructor uses Canvas a little differently, getting the hang of Canvas will help you immensely in being successful at IU. Make sure to become familiar with how your instructor is using Canvas and where things are in Canvas for each of your courses.
Understand course expectations
Your course syllabus will help a lot with determining your instructor's expectations. Don't forget to communicate with your instructor, especially if you're unsure about expectations.
Attend class
You may be tempted to skip classes from time to time, but unless you're sick it's best to always attend class. Statistics show that those who attend class typically do much better academically.
Use your available tools
Use all the tools available to you to help you succeed. Also, make sure understand how to use these tools correctly so you can achieve their benefits.
Check out the videos and accordions below for more information on these key elements in navigating the classroom and you're on your way to a successful semester at IU!
Managing Your Time in Canvas
Canvas has a lot of great tools to help you keep track of due dates. The To-Do list keeps you focused on what’s due soon and the Calendar function lets you quickly scan the whole semester’s assignments. There are also browser extensions like Tasks for Canvas that can make the to-do list more engaging and interactive.
But how much time should you budget in your schedule for all those assignments?
Your unique situation will depend on the specific courses you’re taking, but these general recommendations* should help you develop time management strategies that align with your GPA goals. If technology or other personal barriers prevent you from keeping up with your courses, don’t forget that your IU campus has a number of great resources to support you.
| Desired GPA Range | % of Assignments to Submit on Time (Minimum Target) | Active Weekly Minutes in Canvas (per 3 Credit Hour Class) |
|---|---|---|
| 4.00 | >81% | 24-60 Minutes |
| 3.50-3.99 | 80% | 21-54 Minutes |
| 3.00-3.49 | 77% | 18-45 Minutes |
| 2.50-2.99 | 73% | 15-39 Minutes |
| 2.00-2.49 | 69% | 12-33 Minutes |
| 1.50-1.99 | 63% | 9-30 Minutes |
| 1.00-1.49 | 58% | 6-24 Minutes |
| 0.50-0.99 | 54% | 3-21 Minutes |
| 0.00-0.49 | 0-45% | 0-18 Minutes |
*Recommendations based on first 8 weeks Canvas activity of 15,145 first year students who were enrolled during the Fall 2023 semester on any IU campus. Assignment Submission rate minimum targets are based on the 85th percentiles of students in associated Term GPA Ranges. Weekly Active Minutes ranges each represent 60%-65% of students in associated Term GPA Range.
Videos: Tips from your Fellow Students
Description of the video:
Welcome to learning. Iu, my name is Amber and I will be guiding you through your journey here at IU with the help of your fellow students. These videos will help you learn how to study smarter, grow professionally, stay healthy, and find tech. During your time at, it's crucial to prioritize communication with your professors. Checking in and collaborating with them is essential because no one goes through college alone and your professor is here to support you on your journey. Let's hear from your fellow students on how they communicate with their professors. So using canvas messages to actually e mail your instructors pretty easy. You can always just go to the course site and then you can click on the messaging system where it actually differentiates by class. And it shows everybody in that class including your professor. So it's really easy to find them. And then of course, we use our Outlook at Microsoft 365. So you can use that as well to message your professor and investage your friends. So when it comes to office hours, they're for you, right, First of all. So I would like you to utilize your office hours and make the most use out of them because those times are designated just for you. So please utilize those offers. Going in and speaking directly to them is a great resource because you're getting the direct feedback from your professor. And in doing so, you may actually come out with more information that you than other students may end up getting. Because you spoke directly with your professor and they told you more than what they told the other students in class. You can also meet them before class or after class to ask them a quick question. Something usually that won't take too much of their time because they are on a quake schedule, just like everyone else. I think, especially at IU campuses, professors are here for us, they're working for us. That is the nature of their job almost. And part of that means being friendly towards students and being a safe space. Remember that your professor may be dealing with difficult life stressors, including health, family, and school related difficulties. A little empathy goes a long way. Thanks for watching and be sure to visit Learning EDU for more tips on enhancing your IU experience.
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Description of the video:
Welcome to learning. Iu, my name is Amber and I will be guiding you through your journey here at IU with the help of your fellow students. These videos will help you learn how to study smarter, grow professionally, stay healthy, and find tech. During your time at, it's crucial to take advantage of office hours that your professors have set aside exclusively to meet with students from their classes. Just 20 or 30 minutes with your professor can be the key to unlocking a huge opportunity for your future career. Let's hear from your fellow students on how they take advantage of office hours. This is actually a good one because I had an experience, I actually had a professor tell me, he, who does the work, does the learning. And this has been a quote that is stuck with me. And I actually use this to push myself in the doors of a professor's office. It's a struggle. And they're intimidating because they're professors. You know, they're higher up than you are. But it is that first step through their door that completely eases your mind. That bright. Hello, They are your professors. They are there to help you and they want to help you. I have never had a professor who I've walked through the door and had a bad experience with. I walk in and tell them my problem and they are giving me 100 different solutions to help me figure it out. So I will go to my professor in their office multiple times to speak with them. And this is actually something that's caused my relationship with the professors to rise to the extent that they have. Because they know that I am putting forth the effort into actually understanding and overcoming everything that I'm trying to work on. That I'm just not quite getting. There was a day where I was struggling outside of school. I started to talk to the professor, I went to his officers, I started to talk to the professor about what was going on at home and in my life. And he understood very well. So he gave me an extension on the homework that was due that day, and I did cry. I felt a bit insecure after that, but after he talked to me and he gave me some advice, he told me to keep my head up and that I could keep on pushing through. From now on, I feel really close and connected to that professor because he knows what's going on at my house and in my life. Before you visit your professor during office hours, make sure you have a list of what you would like to discuss. And make sure you are clear and concise with your communication. Thanks for watching and be sure to visit Learning that EDU for more tips on enhancing your IU experience.
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Description of the video:
Welcome to Learning.IU. My name is Sergio Ortiz and I'll be guiding you through your journey here at IU with the help of your fellow students. These videos will help you learn how to study smarter, grow professionally, stay healthy, and find tech. Today we'll be learning how to decipher your class syllabus. Your class syllabus can serve several purposes. At the core, it documents basic course content, goals and elements, but it can also be a guide to the kind of teaching and learning you can expect. Let's hear from your fellow students about how they find value in their class syllabus. Always look over your syllabus before the class even starts. Always because I'm telling you when you know what's going to happen and you know what's going to go on through the course of the semester, before it starts, you're able to kind of start sitting down and being like, okay, I'm, I have this and this to do on this day, this and this to do on this day. And you can kind of start putting things in your plan or your calendar and kind of conceptualize the dates of when it's going to be busy for you and when it's not. Because trust me, when the middle of the semester hits, it hits fast. And it hits hard. And you don't want to be behind when it hits. So with a syllabus, it is important to remember that not every professor is going to be the same. But I remember having to kind of take a deeper look at what each of them are posting. There are different things according to their policies, their grades, how they decide to grade your work, how they may do religious observances, things like that, are very different depending on each professor. So looking that over for each course, not just one, is very important. I will actually go back to the syllabus and reread it just to make sure that I didn't overlook something. Going through and reading the schedule, checking to make sure when your exams are and your quizzes are, making sure that nothing is going to be coming up on those days. And if they are, then you need to talk to your professor right away to make sure that you can reschedule such things. Pay attention to how you can communicate with your instructor. Do you E mail them in Canvas or in Outlook? What about their office hours? Contact them if your schedule conflicts with their office hours and you need help. Keep in mind that instructors can and may revise a syllabus as a class proceeds. Instructors often have good student centered reasons for doing this. Thanks for watching and be sure to visit Learning.IU.edu for more tips on how to enhance your IU experience.Description of the video:
Welcome to Learning.IU. My name is Sergio Ortiz and I'll be guiding you through your journey here at IU with the help of your fellow students. These videos will help you learn how to study smarter, grow professionally, stay healthy, and find tech. Today we will be discussing the importance of attending class in person. There may be days we feel like not going, and we often have thoughts like this. So the lecture has 400 students. The professor might not even know if I'm there or not. I read the textbook. I already know what's going on, right? Why do I need to go? My teacher's just going to record the lecture. I'd rather sleep in and just watch the lecture later. Sound familiar? Keep in mind not every lecture gets recorded. In class, faculty often move beyond what you read in the textbook to make new connections or clarify important points. So when you're not there, you've missed out on what happened. Let's hear from your fellow students about how they find value in attending class. Why I sit up at the front of the class is because it's a lot easier to hear but it also shows your professor that you're there to learn and that you want to retain as much information as possible by being there. Being in that class physically is already a step up to being outside of the class. There have been multiple times when I'm in a group and I simply don't understand one concept. And I'm able to just look over and ask my friend, ask my other classmate, hey, what's going on? Do you think that you could help me with this? Taking it a step further before, and we actually form study groups outside of class just because we already had three classes with each other. What's a little bit more time together? Right? We're all in the same class, we're studying the same material. Why not? Take notes! It is so important, some people don't learn through notes, but I definitely think notes help overall because even if you're just at home before a big test, studying the night before, use them, utilize them. Write things you don't know, write things that you know you're gonna forget or something that you know is going to be on a guide later. You actually remember more when you're writing it down, that's a proven fact. You may be tempted to skip classes from time to time, but unless you're sick, it's best to always attend class. Research finds that the best predictor of class grades and even cumulative GPA is class attendance. This is true even of courses in which attendance is not required. Thanks for watching, and be sure to visit Learning.iu.edu for more tips on how to enhance your IU experience.More information on a successful classroom experience:
Navigating Canvas
As a student at IU, Canvas is where you can see your grades, download class materials, turn in assignments, take quizzes and exams, and connect with classmates. You log in to Canvas using your personal IU username and passphrase. As a student at IU, you can access Canvas from a web browser or the mobile app available for download from the App Store or Google Play.
The resources on this Canvas IT Training page provide information about some of the most common Canvas activities for students, as well as an introduction to other resources that are available to help you.
Keep in mind that every teacher can organize their Canvas site differently. Some put only a pdf copy of their syllabus and class readings in the site. Some use it to display grades, while others do not. Some instructors make extensive use of Canvas resources. You will want to log in during the first week to get familiar with how each of your instructors has decided to set up their sites. Be sure that you have notifications turned on for important items like class announcements and assignment due dates.
More reasons not to miss class:
Many faculty also structure their classes now to incorporate active learning in class – group discussions or work that gets handed in as part of your grade. This work usually cannot be completed after the fact.
When you are in class, make the most of it:
Ask questions. This is a chance for you to develop your critical thinking skills. You are also interacting with your professor which may make it easier for you to interact with them outside of class. Faculty often serve as mentors to students in their disciplines so it never hurts for them to get to know who you are and how you think.
If you absolutely have to miss class:
Finally, things happen and no faculty member expects their students to have perfect attendance. When you do miss class, be sure to send your instructor an email explaining why, preferably in advance of class if you know you will not be there because you are sick or have other serious obligations you cannot reschedule. Do NOT ask if you missed anything important – assume you did. Have a plan for how you will learn the material you missed; do not ask your instructor for notes or if they can go over things with you. If they do offer to help you catch up, take them up on their offer!
Attending Office (Drop-in) Hours
Take advantage of the times that your professors have set aside exclusively to meet with students from their classes. Going to office (drop-in) hours is one of the easiest ways to improve your learning and grades and deepen your academic opportunities while in college. Just 20 or 30 minutes with your professor can be the key to unlocking a huge opportunity for your future career. Here are some different topics you could discuss with your professor:
- Clarify an assignment or a paper. Ask for extra credit or deeper learning opportunities. Discuss class concepts if you need further clarity on the course material. If you're having problems accessing course materials, finding course books, or using course technology, let your professor know. They will be able to help.
- Get to know your professor as a person. Ask about their interests or research. Ask for career advice.
- Indulge your curiosity. Tell your professor why you took their class. Tell your professor what you’ve learned so far.
- Face your problems head-on. If you’re struggling in class, talk to your professor and ask for help. Ask why your grade on an assignment wasn't as good as you expected so that you can learn how to improve on the next assignment. Ask for study tips for exams.
Advice for Preparing to Visit:
- Know why you are going and have a list of what you want to accomplish.
- Stay as concise and clear as you can.
- Instructors are people. Treat them with respect and understand that they too can have bad days or may be dealing with personal struggles.
Communicating with your instructors
Communication is more important than ever. Your instructors want to hear from you! Here are some tips and resources to help you:
- Check Canvas often for updates. Your instructor will post class announcements and updates here.
- Check the syllabus for your instructor’s communication preferences. Be sure you follow them. When you email your instructor, be professional about it.
- Plan ahead when you email your instructor. Do not expect an immediate reply--often professors will tell you in the syllabus how long it may take for a response. Emailing to ask questions about an assignment due the next day is not a good strategy.
- See if you can ask questions before or after class, which means you need to attend class. Use their office hours.
- Unable to access your course syllabus? Find your instructor's name in your class schedule and search for them in the IU Directory to find their email address. You may also be able to find their email address on their department's website.
Information Literacy
The Information Literacy Toolkit was developed by IU librarians. It provides modules and other tutorials to help you discern online information as credible, reliable and authentic; or put more simply, teaches you how to separate fact from fiction.
Mind Over Chatter contains materials and exercises for you to hone your skills navigating the post-truth era. The goal is for you to examine your impressions of these concepts, come up with new examples and strategies, and question personal and societal assumptions from a variety of perspectives. You will be able to:
- Form an understanding of truth in a world full of complex information;
- Identify examples of messaging, persuasion, and rhetoric;
- Explain the relationship between knowledge and trust of authorities;
- Define exposure effect, a psychological phenomenon that influences what we believe; and
- Describe how our brains form and preserve understanding.
Using accommodations and assistive technologies
Indiana University is committed to maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment across all of its campuses. It is the university’s ongoing mission to provide and maintain accessible options in all aspects of daily life on campus. Accessibility helps IU provide broad access to undergraduate and graduate education. That mission includes prioritizing universal access to facilities, information, and technologies. If you need accommodations, be sure to connect with your campus office to make your needs known and ensure you have the support that is your right.
Using IU eTexts
More and more instructors are choosing to help students save money by using IU eTexts instead of costly printed text books. There is a helpful guide for using IU eTexts that was created just for students. Self-enroll in this optional Canvas course to get the information you need.
Check out The Student Guide to IU eTexts
Also, don't be afraid to reach out to the UITS Support Center and ask for help using IU eTexts if you need it.
Academic integrity
The obligation to act with integrity is a cornerstone of a university education. Because academic integrity is so critical, universities impose serious consequences for academic misconduct. The obligation to behave with integrity applies to everyone in the university—faculty, staff, and students.
The University has outlined a clear set of student responsibilities for academic integrity (there is a parallel code for faculty) in the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Learn more here: IU Student Code
Academic misconduct includes the following activities:
- Plagiarism: claiming credit for someone else's work or failing to use correct citation formats
- Cheating: using inappropriate materials to complete an assignment
- Fabrication: falsifying information
- Interference: preventing another student from succeeding
- Facilitation: helping another student to complete his or her work
- Violation of course rules: not following course rules
Test your plagiarism awareness: How to recognize plagiarism?
Pro tip
Nothing drives instructors crazier than being asked questions that are clearly answered on the syllabus. So always make sure you’ve checked the syllabus for your class before emailing with a question in case the answer is right there in front of you.