How to Succeed at Babson
Welcome to Babson! Your success as a student at Babson comes from the
same kind of things that will make you successful either running your own business or
working for someone else. The habits you develop at Babson will be a very important part
of your future success. Treat your studies the same way you would treat your full-time
job. Your level of success is up to you.
Attendance in every class is an
important part of the Babson experience. Management classes that use the case method will
grade on class participation. If you are not in class, you can't participate. Should you
miss classes, you will be on your own to make up the work. There are also surprise quizzes
in many courses. Surprise, you aren't there, no quiz, no grade.
Be prepared for each class
session. There is very little in business that is more frustrating or unproductive that
having meetings with people who aren't prepared. Unprepared managers have very short
careers. So do unprepared students. Expect when studying case assignments that the teacher
may call on you to open the case. It's very embarrassing to be asked to open a case and
have to admit to the class that you're aren't prepared.
Communication with your faculty
members is crucial for academic success. For example, if you know you can't make a class
session, notify your faculty member BEFORE class. Explain your reason, and follow
up with a in person conversation as soon as possible. Faculty members are not mind readers
and only know what you tell them.
Deadlines. Faculty members will
expect you to meet the deadlines they set for an assignment . A late paper may cost you as
much as a letter grade on the assignment. If you know you won't be able to make a
deadline, get an extension in advance.
Expectations. To remain in good
academic standing, a first year student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of
1.80 for your first 32 credits at Babson and a 2.00 until graduation. At end of each
semester, the Academic Standards Committee reviews all students who fall below this
standard. A student may be placed on probation, or receive an academic suspension
depending on the individual case.
Faculty at Babson are here to work
with students so they can achieve their full potential. We strongly suggest that you make
a effort to get to know your faculty each semester. Use your name tent cards in the
classroom whenever possible. Introduce yourself to your faculty early in the semester. The
relationships you build with faculty members can have great value throughout your
lifetime.
Grading at Babson is done using a
letter grade system of A, B, C, D and F. Be sure that you understand the grading criteria
as set by your faculty for your courses. If you are unclear about how a grade was derived,
be sure to ask your faculty member immediately upon receiving the grade. Keep in mind a
minimum expectation for your first year is a 1.80 grade point average, which roughly
translates to a C- average. To make the Dean's List you will need a semester average of
3.30 or roughly a B+ average.
Be professional in your interactions with
others. At work, your demeanor sends messages about your leadership ability. Your
professionalism means being on time for classes, appointments and meetings. It also means
being unfailingly courteous to all. Just as you wouldn't leave the middle of a business
meeting in order to get a soda, so you shouldn't disrupt a class by leaving in the middle
in order to get a soda or go to the bathroom (unless it's a medical emergency).
Professionalism also means being civil to those with whom you disagree. In business, you
will often find that you must work with people with whom you disagree on various issues.
Your ability to do so is a key element for your success as a manager.
Take Pride in your work. Business people know
that everything they present to the public reflects on the pride they take in themselves
and their work. Long-term success comes only to companies and people who produce the
highest quality products and services. The quality focus of managers needs to be your
focus as well. Every paper, presentation and project is an expression of the pride you
take in yourself and your work. Take the time to make both the substance and the surface
of the highest quality. This may mean making one more draft, checking spelling and
grammar, and reviewing overheads one more time, even when you think you are done.
Understand expectations. Be sure to read each
course sylabus very carefully in terms of what your teacher expects from you for that
course. How will attendance be weighed? How are grades derived? Will there be quizes? If
you have ANY questions regarding what your teacher expects ASK!
