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The academic year
Starting a new academic year :
Have a look at the locations
To enter the French university, it is to adapt oneself to a
new environment, especially if one comes from the secondary school
and all the more from the foreign country. It is also to adopt new
working methods and to challenge one's new independence.
Those of you who will be lucky enough to be able to arrive in France
a little while before the start of the academic year even before
the holidays summer, will take advantage of this period to go and
investigate their future places of studies. Inquire beforehand about
the dates of closing of the establishment (generally from the end
of July to the beginning of September). If you arrive in France
before the holidays preceding the start of the year, prepare your
year by asking for the programs of the courses to the secretary's
office of the UFR and begin to read them.
Breathe the atmosphere of your future framework of studies and
life. Get really acquainted with your university, its various services,
its rules, the people who work in it…
In the university, you will find a space " Accueil-Informations
" (information desk) which will inform you about the place
of the services, the courses, labs, libraries and, on the events
which take place on the campus (conferences, artistic manifestations…).
Please, ask, if there is the map of the university and to track
down all who can be useful for you. Please, also get the Guide of
the student every establishment produces to help the newcomers to
meet there and to know the courses there.
Find your way on the campus
The campus is not so complicated finally, if
you take time to identify the various components and to exploit
them intelligently. Mostly, you will find on the spot all you
will need in your student's life. In addition to the "
inescapable " (the registrar's service, your UFR's secretary's
office, the restaurant or the university library…), the
campus conceals any sorts of places which will be very precious
to you to solve a good deal of problems. Try to find them, they
are sometimes hidden round the corner of a corridor :
the cooperative, managed by a student association, which can
propose articles such as paper mill, tickets of buses, BIJ tickets
(train…) ;
the associative buildings where you'll have a cup of coffee,
etc. ;
the data processing classrooms to type your reports. Be careful,
some are reserved for the students of a specific subjects. But
you can always try ;
the photocopy area, often managed by an association, which propose
you unbeatable prices and especially much lower than the library
;
the gym: all the universities do not have one, but if ever,
go and see it ;
the student cafeterias which avoid you the queue at the university
canteen when you are in a hurry. Nice price and guaranteed cheerfulness
;
the film club which makes it possible to see classical or rare
films at a rock-bottom price. A good means to fill a hole in
your timetable ;
…
and so many other things for you to discover.
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The district where is your university is a real continuation of
the campus, where it is necessary for you to investigate. You will
find there any sorts of services which complete those of the university
: the municipal library with its private study rooms, good alternative
to the university library in daytime or rush hours, bookshops and
second-hand record dealers, advice center of health, self-service
stores photocopies or data processing, pubs and brief cheap restaurants,
a whole territory full of good surprises but also traps (all these
hours spent in a café discussing with friends or playing
pinball machine will not help you maybe to make a success of your
exams !).
The welcome period
To improve the conditions of reception of these newcomers,
the current university reform obliges universities to organize "
preliminary training courses " during which are presented the
university, programme… Every university has its own formula
: this " pré-rentrée ", a real period of
orientation, lasts a half-day, a day, mostly one week.
The teaching registration usually takes place during this training,
before the official start of the academic year.
These sessions are very good to obtain a maximum of information
about the organization of the Deug and its options, about your future
timetable and the subjects, the organization of the exams…
They include lectures on the different subjects proposed by the
university and their outlets with often the testimony of former
students. The professors come and explain the contents of their
courses. They expose their method and announce their requirements,
give advice, explain how to use the university library (BU).
There is also a " newcomers' tutorial " gradually set
up by the universities, where the students of 2nd or 3rd cycle,
invite the new registered in Deug in a guided tour of the university.
If you enter 1st cycle, you will go with them to the discovery of
the different premises and the services of your university : Department
of information and orientation (SUIO), registrar's service, classrooms
and laboratories, library (ies)…
They will also present you the sports and cultural activities practised
on the campus, as well as the associations and the student unions
which you may join.
A sound piece of advice : even if they are not compulsory, use the
reception services which are proposed to you. They will facilitate
no doubt your first steps in the university. Furthermore, you will
meet there maybe your first university friends.
Certain universities also organize, during this period of refresher
classes for small groups of students (in mathematics for example
in the scientific subject) or rallies to allow the students to get
acquainted.
"Bizutage"
Ragging, practised in certain establishments
(notably Grandes Ecoles) is an student tradition aiming at integrating
the " bizuts " (freshers), a name given to the first
year pupils. During this " ceremony of initiation ",
the newcomers are subjected by the "former students to
funny tests. The displayed purpose is to fight against the anonymity
by allowing the first-year students to create links of good-companionship
and to meet the former students (with sometimes a system of
sponsoring). Unfortunately, some " bizutages " lean
on unacceptable practices (ragings, humiliations…) and
are every year denounced by the newspapers.
But most of the time, the initiation of the newcomers takes
place in the cheerfulness and leaves the memory of a good moment.
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Tutorial classes and remedial courses
: New courses, good level required, lacks interest or disappointment
concerning the chosen subject, different factors explain the strong
rate of abandonment observed university 1st cycle, during the autumn
term (from 30 to 50 % according to the subject).
To fight against failure and its causes, universities experiment
different formulae, to be generalized in the 1st cycle reform. Tutorial
classes remedial courses, punctual help or all year round, ensured
by teachers or students : each faculty has its own formula.
In certain universities the welcome tutorials set up at the beginning
of the year continues throughout the year by a accompanying tutorial.
It is a sponsoring system ensured by 2nd or of 3rd cycle students,
voluntary and paid, who are at the disposal of the new students
to give them advice and information (progress of the studies, organization
of the exams…). They bring their help in working methods, general
or specific to the subject. Sometimes supervised by a teacher, these
guardians can also propose an educational personalized support (preparations
of practical works or exams, working tools…).
Besides, many universities have set up support devices. There
are numerous formulae to help the students keep up with the level
required :
remedial lessons during the year concerning problematic courses
in the chosen subject, the methodological tutorials ensured by a
teacher, the supplementary courses…
refresh courses for students whose general level is a little bit
weak for Deug : preparatory year, refresh courses before the academic
year or in the first term…
flexible courses : for example a first year of Deug can be held
in two years with an adapted teaching to go back to the normal course
or a specific course during the second term to then allow another
guidance towards another course…
This type of devices targets generally small groups of students
selected after specific tests, after the autumn term or according
to their results at the first exams. It is one of the aspects of
the reform which tends to make of the first half of the year of
studies a real period of orientation, allowing the teachers to assess
the motivation and the capacities of the new registered students.
Take advantage of the possibilities of tutorial classes
If you are lucky enough to enter a university
which proposes one of these formulae of tutorials or support,
do not hesitate to use them in case of difficulties. Even if
this kind of course is mostly optional, do not ignore them :
experience shows that the students who participate in it obtain
generally better results. On the other hand, the teachers will
certainly appreciate such a sign of your motivation and they
will grant you maybe some supplementary points during the jury
at the time of the exams.
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An eight-month year ! At the
university, do not be surprised by the slow rhythm at the start
: the holidays are over and it is necessary to set to work at once
because the academic year is short and the exams come soon. The
courses begin in October and end in May/June, the period of the
exams of the end of year.
With the reform, the subjects are gradually organized in terms,
that is at least 32 weeks of courses for the year. Actually, in
the new university jargon, one speaks no more of year but level
and the word period replace that of term. The first university cycle
(Deug) includes so two levels, divided into two periods.
The first level of the Deug, especially in the first period os of
a pluri-disciplinary nature : it is a initiation to the various
disciplines of the Deug chosen.
At the end of the first period, a real moment of orientation, the
student makes a choice for one of the mentions of Deug, but he keeps
the possibility to change his orientation at the end of the first
level with the agreement of the establishment.
The second level of the Deug, is more specialized. It prepares the
students for the second cycle. This new system has an advantage
: it is closer to the other European university systems and permits
the students to obtain their Deug's in two years and half and so
to avoid being kept down. The trouble is that nothing is arranged
to permit a student to start a Degree mid-year.
To control the agenda
Mastering the agenda of an academic year means beginning to manage
one's time. Here is the indicative schedule of a first academic
year. Please, be attentive to the key dates and read the advice
which we give you. Use the empty lines to note your significant
dates and meetings (student exhibitions, lectures…).
Before the beginning of the academic year
Some universities organize the administrative and teaching registrations
and registrations in July .
Go and see the different places ; note the schedules.
Draw up the map of the university and note the place of registrar's
office, the SCUIO, the university library, the language labs, the
permanence of the teachers and associations.
At the beginning of September
Beginning of the year for the secondary schools, the preparatory
classes, the BTS…
End of September, beginning of October
Welcome days or week.
Administrative and teaching registration.
Take your timetable in note and organise your personal work.
register to the university library.
beginning of the year : lessons start !
November
Those who started in September (prep classes, BTS…) have generally
one week of holidays then. Not the students of the university who
have just begun their courses !
Try your personal work scheme and modify it if necessary.
Try to know the university library better.
Spot the students you know and the possibilities to gather work.
Second public holiday of the month November 11th : Celebration of
the victory of WW1).
December
For the subjects organized in terms (or periods) think of joining
the February exams (except for the subjects estimated through continuous
tests).
The partial controls draw near. Start your revisions.
It is the winter and some of you do not know the cold months. To
cross this hard season and face the exams of February in a good
mood, you should increase your
supplies in vitamins C (fresh orange juice or tablets for the lazy
ones). During the revisions or the exams, some lumps of sugar or
better some chocolate squares will help you fight against anxiety
and tiredness. Go to the chemist who can advise you on a cure of
vitamins and oligo-elements.
Holidays : two weeks for Christmas and New Year (approximately the
last week of December and the first of January).
If you want to work this summer, it is the good moment to start
to seek.
January
Preparation to the partial exams.
First assessment before the partial exams : the subjects with which
you feel comfortable and those you do not. To maintain the rhythm,
make an appointment with the teachers concerned or the information
and orientation service to consider possible changes in the second
term.
February
EXAMINATIONS (the well-known partial examinations).
First results and possible decision from the orientation committee
: think about the programme and, if need be, change your original
project (ask for the opinion of the teachers, the guidance counselor…).
If you want to join DEA or DESS next year, it is time to apply :
present your project to your future research director to obtain
his approval.
Winter holidays : about two weeks dates of which vary according
to the region where you study (zone A, B or C. Find which one is
yours).
March
Time limit to deposit the Student Social File (request for a university
room on university campus and\or grants on social criteria) : on
March 31.
If the preventive medicine has not invited you to take an appointment
yet, you may go and ask for a check up before your examinations.
It can be useful.
April
Think of your June examination and register.
Spring holidays : two weeks whose dates vary according to the region
where you are studying (zone A, B or C. Please, inquire.). Holiday
: Christian Easter (Sunday and Monday following the first spring
full moon).
You last chance before the examination to read to read your courses
again and to note what you do not understand : it's still time to
ask your teachers and friends.
May
Assessment period : you should speak about your work with your teachers
and make a date with the information and orientation service…
Start to ponder about next year.
End of lessons and beginning of the revisions.
May is a great month as for its numerous " bridges " (when
one or two holidays are granted between a day off and the week end).
It is not always easy to revise in the sun with all those days off
! But you have no choice.
Holidays : May 1st (Labour Day) ; May 8th (end of WWII) ; Ascension
Day (religious feats 40 days after Easter).
June
Examinations.
June 21, the first day of summer and the music festival everywhere
in France (organized or spontaneous concerts, all styles and all
sorts of places). Let us hope that your exams will leave with you
some moments of freedom to enjoy it. Anyway, it is a good means
to relax. If you are a musician, even an amateur, it's time for
you to play !
The other famous holiday in June is that of the cinema : for a few
days, you may go to the cinema for very low prices. But so many
students queue up during those days front of cinemas these days
that one may think that exams and relaxation are compatible.
Results : if you have succeeded : congratulations. If not, register
for the September exams (called " retake exams ") and
study during your holidays.
July/August
Even if you must retake your examination, the summer holidays are
starting…
Certain universities organize the registrations and the administrative
and teaching re-registrations in July, after the results in the
exams. The others will do it at the beginning of the academic year.
If you have a job this summer to make a little money, you'll be
happy to know that you will benefit from two holidays : on July
14 (Bastille Day and its popular balls) and on August 15 (religious
holiday of the Assumption).
September
Retake examination for those who failed in June.
October
Ready for the beginning of the new year ?
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Final registration
