Step 5 – Succeed in Your Academic Life

All students at Sask Polytech are expected to abide by our Academic Progress and Student Conduct policies.

Be sure to review these policies and check with your instructors if you are unsure if what you are doing (or want to do) contravenes this policy. Breaking this policy could result in a failed grade or expulsion from the program. Be sure to attend the Academic Integrity workshop hosted by International Education for an explanation of what this policy means to you as a Sask Polytech student.

Sask Polytech offers free courses on academic integrity. These courses are available through Brightspace. In either of the two academic integrity courses, you will learn about academic integrity and Saskatchewan Polytechnic's academic conduct policies.  

These tutorials include learning activities, videos and self-checks to help you learn. Once completed you will be able to:

• Explain the term academic integrity and recognize its benefits.
• Identify various types of academic misconduct.
• Interpret Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Academic Code of Conduct and apply it to real-world situations. 

You will receive a certificate upon completion. You can access this course on your Brightspace self-registration page. If you have any questions or need help registering, please contact the Student Relations Office at academic.integrity@saskpolytech.ca.

Classroom courtesy helps build good relations between the student and the instructor. Here are a few suggestions:

• Be on time for classes and appointments.
• In the first class the instructors will give you a handout describing the course requirements. If you miss the first class, be sure to see the instructor so that you know what is expected of you.
• Call your instructors, Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss followed by their family name, unless you are given permission to call them by their first name. You may find that classroom interactions with your instructors are more informal than you may be used to and it is not uncommon for instructors to have you address them by their first name.
• If you have a preferred name you would like instructors to use, you may tell them so. Otherwise, you will generally be called by your first name.
• On the first day of classes instructors usually tell students their office hours so students may meet with them to ask questions about classwork. Don’t be shy to ask your instructors for information and guidance.
• If you wish to ask questions in class, raise your hand.
• If you wish to record a lecture in order to help you to understand the subject, check with the instructor before bringing a recording device to class.
• If you are late for class, enter quietly without knocking and sit where you will not disturb anyone. If you are very late, explain after class.
• If for some reason you must leave early, tell the instructor before the class begins.
• Except for large lecture classes, inform the instructor ahead of time if you know you will be late or absent from class.
• If you are absent from class, either send an email or call the instructor or the department and leave a message. Be sure to catch up on what you missed.
• Identify yourself at once when calling an instructor. Specify what class you attend.
• If you are unable to keep an appointment with an instructor, call before the appointed time and excuse yourself.
• You will be expected to attend classes regularly, complete all the assignments and readings and take all the exams.
• Eating and smoking are prohibited in the classroom.

Your class schedule is provided by your program head and, in some cases, may not be available until the first day of classes. Your letter of acceptance will indicate your program start date, and closer to that date, your program will contact you with more details about your first week of classes.

Plan to attend full-time, Monday to Friday. Many programs start between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and finish between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., though some may have later hours, such as noon to 9 p.m.

Once your schedule is available, you can view it on mySaskPolytech using the course planning tool.

International students who have done well academically at home may be upset if they find themselves struggling to keep up academically in a new country. There may be very good reasons for this such as differences in language, differences in learning and teaching styles, classroom climate and cultural adjustment. If you find yourself struggling academically, try some of the following strategies:

• Talk to your instructor and ask for guidance. They are there to help you.
• Discuss the situation with other students in the class, compare notes or study together.
• Consult learning specialists in the library or learning centres.
• Seek counselling through Counselling Services.
• If you do not know who to talk to, contact an international student advisor for advice.

Learning and study strategy workshops are offered by Student Services to help students become more successful students. The workshops are offered by study skills specialists who will give useful tips geared to improving your academic performance. Here are just a few examples of the workshops offered:

• Exam anxiety
• Exam preparation
• Math skills
• Study skills
• Time management
• Writing skills

For more information and advice visit Learning Services or Counselling Services.

Sask Polytech incorporates both theory and practical hands-on learning into its curriculum. International students with previous learning in their field of study often do not receive as much transfer credit as they anticipate due to differences in program learning and outcomes.

If you wish to apply for transfer credit, you must do this before the deadline date. You will have to demonstrate that your previous study matches with the particular class at Sask Polytech. Please note that as an international student it is very important to maintain full-time status, not only to keep your visa up to date, but to take advantage of work opportunities both during your studies and upon graduation. At Sask Polytech, full-time means taking 60% of the total course load each term.

If you are interested in applying for transfer credit, familiarize yourself with the Recognition of Prior Learning: PLAR and Transfer Credit policy (pdf) and complete the transfer credit request form (pdf).

Each campus city has a Campus Store where you can purchase the books and other classroom materials required for your classes. Campus Stores also carry learning supplies and Sask Polytech-branded clothing and gear.

Each Sask Polytech campus has a library that provides service to all Sask Polytech students, faculty and staff. Each campus library includes a learning commons, study space and comfortable seating. Our friendly and professional staff members can assist you in person, by email, telephone and instant message. The library has developed a series of videos that may assist with using the library at Sask Polytech.

Get involved with the Sask Polytech community! International Education hosts a variety of events for international students, both online and in person, throughout the year.

The SPSA provides peer support, services and organizes student activities and clubs in each campus city. Contact your campus’s students’ association for more information or visit spsa.ca.

In addition to the supports offered to international students by our International Student Centres, Sask Polytech has a wide variety of supports available to all students—from health and wellness to academic and learning support, to career and employment assistance. To learn more, visit our student services page.