An undergraduate student offers reflections and observations on college course syllabi. Since the syllabus is the student's guide through the course, it should be clearly organized allowing students to find information quickly. It should outline the expectations that students and instructor will have during the course. In addition a syllabus must make clear the dates and deadlines for tests and papers with explanation of the content of each test and the subject matter of the papers and projects. Syllabi should explain the penalties for cheating, plagiarism, missed attendance, missed exams, and late assignments. Finally, the syllabus should make clear how grades will be calculated. In a final section the paper offers eight suggestions for effective syllabi: (1) keep information concise; (2) present important ideas at the beginning; (3) make expectations clear; (4) list all important dates and deadlines; (5) give an explanation of all grading factors; (6) explain how the course material relates to life beyond the course; (7) explain the role of the syllabus in class; and (8) call attention to the course objectives frequently throughout the course. (JB)