Succeeding academically in the U.S. as an international student means understanding what that success looks like and how to achieve it. From adjusting to U.S. classroom and campus culture to overcoming the typical challenges of being an international student, this guide will help to define what it takes to find academic success as an international student in the U.S.
The U.S. academic system operates slightly differently from other countries’ higher education programs. While many U.S. universities follow a standardized approach to courses, programs and academic criteria, some details differ from college to college. Navigating this system to become academically successful in the U.S. means international students must adapt to it while striving to excel.
The U.S. higher education system is largely decentralized. Most universities operate with a high degree of independence, free from government interference and regulation. As such, many colleges are able to develop their own course curriculums, graduation requirements and operational procedures. This is what makes U.S. colleges some of the best in the World. They’re allowed to innovate and specialize in ways many other institutions in other countries cannot.
Almost all U.S. higher education institutions subscribe to various regional and - more recently - program-specific accreditation groups. These agencies are administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
They ensure that universities are operating correctly and that students receive quality tuition, resulting in degrees recognized in the U.S. and internationally.
The U.S. academic year begins in August or early September and runs until the end of May or early June. The academic calendar is divided into two semesters of between fourteen and sixteen weeks each: The Fall Semester, ending in December and the Spring Semester, commencing in January. Some colleges follow trimester structures (three academic periods) and quarter calendars (four academic periods).
Undergraduates attending U.S. colleges on a typical 4-year course are categorized according to the year they are attending, with titles unique to the U.S:
| Freshmen | (1st-year students) |
| Sophomores | (2nd-years) |
| Juniors | (3rd-years) |
| Seniors | (in their final or 4th year) |
Postgraduate students are normally required to attend professional graduate schools, which follow customized courses and programs.
Undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are generally required to register for various classes belonging to specific categories. These classes and courses include:
Different degrees require different combinations of major, minor and elective courses, with various credits allocated to each.
Credits are used to show that a student has satisfied the academic requirements needed to qualify for a degree and keeping an eye on their progress is vital to succeeding academically in the U.S. Credits are awarded to a student for completing or passing a course. The sum of a student’s credits must meet or exceed the minimum number required to earn a degree.
U.S. universities use the Carnegie unit to determine credit values. Each credit generally represents a particular number of hours of classroom attendance and instruction. While many degrees and courses differ, a good way to estimate the time required to earn credits is by equating around three hours spent in the classroom, doing lab work or working on assignments with one credit.
Most bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credits before being awarded. Associate and master’s degree credit requirements range between 30 and 60 credits. Most students aim to earn roughly 15 credits per semester (30 credits/year). Credits are also awarded for completing assignments, gaining work experience and, in some cases, participation in voluntary or optional campus work, outreach or activities.
Credits can be transferred between institutions and are used to measure academic progress.
U.S. colleges use the letter grading system to evaluate students’ knowledge and comprehension of coursework. Students sit for midterms and examinations throughout the year. Midterms are written during the semester (usually around the middle), and finals at the end of each semester. Assignments, practical testing and in-class coursework are also graded and will contribute towards a student’s final grade. Depending on the specific degree, different weights are allocated between examination results and other assessments.
While most U.S. universities use letter grades, some also assign a metric called quality points that contribute to a student’s Grade Point Average or GPA. Here is a breakdown of how this all works.
| Percentage | Letter Grade | Quality Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97–100% | A+ | 4.0 | Exceptional |
| 93–96% | A | 3.9 | |
| 90–92% | A- | 3.7 | |
| 87–89% | B+ | 3.3 | Above Average |
| 83–86% | B | 3.0 | |
| 80–82% | B- | 2.7 | |
| 77–79% | C+ | 2.3 | Average |
| 73–76% | C | 2.0 | |
| 70–72% | C- | 1.7 | |
| 67–69% | D | 1.0 | Below Average |
| 63–66% | F | 0.0 | Fail |
There is no “E” letter grade in the U.S. While most universities in the U.S. follow the letter grading system, some pursue their own metrics. Students who receive a final passing grade for their respective courses at the end of the semester will be awarded the corresponding credits to be added to their total.
Academic excellence in the U.S. is considered one of the leading benchmarks in the World. However, international students may find university life difficult to adjust to and confusing at first. For some, this adjustment may require minor or significant adaptations to life on campus and in the classroom in pursuit of achieving academic success as an international student in the U.S.
U.S. college classrooms and lecture halls embrace engagement and interaction, forming a critical part of why so many international students go on to become academically successful in the U.S. Students are encouraged to investigate, debate and share their ideas. In-class discussion and engagement are important characteristics of U.S. college classroom culture, and professors frequently call on students to actively participate in discussions.
Students who regularly participate in classroom interactions are noted by their professors for their enthusiasm and contributions. Students who contribute to the class narrative enhance their understanding and find clarity. This is an important part of finding academic success as an international student in the U.S. and only one or two interactions a semester can make a big difference.
Many professors and lecturers at U.S. colleges hold an ‘open door policy,’ where students are encouraged to engage and interact with their teachers. This may be by approaching them directly after class, scheduling one-on-one meetings in their offices, or interacting digitally. Establishing and maintaining a relationship with lecturers is beneficial for international students who may need more guidance on how to succeed in their respective courses.
Many instructors have teaching assistants. These are usually postgraduates who work directly with the lecturers, helping them with coursework preparation, grading and general administration. They also function as important points of contact with the faculty, particularly if the professor is regularly unavailable. These relationships are very important, especially for students who find themselves struggling to keep up with coursework or falling behind. They provide an opportunity to get assistance before it is too late.
Building relationships between academic peers plays an important role in succeeding academically in the U.S. International students may find developing relationships with some of their classmates very beneficial in discovering academic success. Many students within the same course or faculty form small study groups, chat groups and social circles to share information and ideas, and support each other.
Joining a study may be as simple as asking someone or an invite or through more formal, established channels. Often, group assignments are a great starting point to meet members. These academic circles frequently exist outside of the classroom in a formal or informal context and involve maintaining communication channels between members or attending group study sessions together.
Academic success is a cornerstone of the U.S. higher education system. Students are regularly expected to exceed their potential rather than simply just making the passing grade. While passing a course is an impressive achievement, students who pass with consistently low grades are often reviewed by their lecturers and offered support.
Universities in the U.S. employ many tools and mechanisms to assist students in improving their academic performance. Summer schools and extra classes are offered (and sometimes made mandatory), additional on- and off-campus resources are available to struggling students, and private tutors are commonplace. Students also may have access to counseling, and faculty advisory services are in place to help students plan and prepare for success.
There is always room for mistakes in the U.S. college environment. Students will not be punished for failing and most colleges allow for second and third chances, especially if the student has demonstrated a commitment to improvement. International students may also have access to specialized services designed to assist them with becoming academically successful in the U.S. Students are encouraged to ask for help and take advantage of the general willingness of professors, faculty and other students to assist them.
Every international student intent on succeeding academically in the U.S. needs to develop their own strategies for success. By planning strategically before beginning their studies, international students will be able to adapt sooner and pursue their success goals more clearly.
Planning and preparation are key to building and implementing a successful strategy. Many U.S. students receive extensive preparation in anticipation of heading to college. This gives many of them a powerful advantage once they begin their higher education journey and raises the level of expectation for international students in college classrooms.
International students should ensure they know what to expect once they arrive on a U.S. college campus. Preparing completely for seamless integration may be difficult or even impossible, but planning is key. International students can increase their chances of academic success by taking steps to familiarize themselves with how U.S. college campuses operate. They can learn about the academic expectations they’ll face and expose themselves to materials and procedures common at U.S. universities.
International students create clear, realistic schedules for their college activities. This may include developing a year-long academic calendar, keeping a monthly schedule and maintaining a daily timetable to ensure they don’t forget or miss anything. Students should be realistic and schedule sufficient time for all activities, including classwork and free time.
Students are advised to set aside non-negotiable study and exam preparation times and adhere to them. Establishing a routine for planning for coursework, attending classes, participating in extracurriculars, social interactions and rest is also vital to success. Schedules must be regularly reviewed and updated, and students should do their best to avoid missing important dates. Good scheduling is critical for students to maintain discipline and prevent becoming overwhelmed - essential ingredients to long-term academic success as an international student in the U.S.
Many U.S. universities tout key values and beliefs they expect their students to observe. These important elements are intended to guide and direct their student body. International students should examine and adopt them - provided they align with their own values - as a part of their academic journey. Virtues like integrity, originality and perseverance are some key attributes many U.S. colleges embrace, so students should take time to think about and understand them.
International students should also take note of guidelines pointing to unacceptable behavior on campus, tardiness, poor courtesy, disrespect and offensive expression. Some of these characteristics may be considered serious contraventions of university policy which could carry severe consequences, although not in all cases. Class attendance, for example, might be mandatory on some campuses and optional on others. Students should be aware of these important aspects and make them central to their pursuit of academic success.
Today’s U.S. college professors are looking for students to prove that they have an in-depth understanding of their chosen field and can practically apply it. This means developing study techniques that allow students to establish a multi-dimensional view of their specialty and to be able to demonstrate their comprehension.
Developing comprehensive, fit-for-purpose study techniques and methodologies is vital to academic success as an international student in the U.S. This, along with making use of modern digital study tools, is very useful. Even AI resources are being leveraged to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in studying. However, students should be extremely careful to avoid contravening any university policies (especially regarding AI) and should spend time researching which tools may be best for their academic needs.
There are many student resources available to U.S. college students. These resources have been specifically developed to assist students in their academic journey. On-campus resources include facilities like study centers and libraries, where students can take advantage of state-of-the-art spaces and tools to enhance their student journey. Universities regularly host conventions, exhibitions and open lectures that provide unprecedented opportunities to improve the student experience and boost learning.
Online university portals, workshops, and forums are also great student resources for succeeding academically in the U.S. There are also many off-campus resources that international students can count on to enhance their chances of academic success. Private tutoring, 3rd-party resources and even local public facilities are common examples.
Procrastination is one of the biggest threats to finding academic success as an international student. With so many new things to see, do and become familiar with, distractions can quickly disrupt a good academic plan. Students must avoid letting outside or negative influences impact their academic journey. Effective stress management, staying healthy, maintaining a good routine and regular planning are all great tactics for fighting off procrastination.
International students should aim to balance their academic and social lives by putting their studies first without ignoring the need to rest and unwind. Students who find themselves wasting time or missing deadlines should make changes to their routine.
International students looking at succeeding academically in the U.S. should embrace the prospect of success in whatever they do. They should set specific goals and pursue them rigorously. Students should consider how every decision they make on their academic journey can impact their prospects of success. And they must understand what that success looks like.
By embracing success and making it central to their academic efforts, triumph and progress will never be far away. The path to academic success as an international student in the U.S. begins here.
