Updated: 26 October 2026 · Redream team
After admission, the next challenge is understanding everyday academic life. How does attendance matter? Does the final exam determine the whole grade? What should you do if you struggle with a course? This guide helps you plan your first semester. Your university handbook and the current syllabus for each course remain the authoritative references.
The answer in 30 seconds
- Collect the academic calendar, course syllabuses and assessment rules at the start.
- Record the weight of assignments, tests, projects and exams rather than relying only on the final exam.
- If you miss a class or cannot attend an exam, promptly check the formal process, evidence and deadlines.
- Do not apply one university’s pass mark, absence rule or GPA calculation to every institution.
What to collect in your first week
Create a digital folder containing the official calendar, timetable, syllabuses, student handbook and academic contacts. For each course, record the instructor, submission platform and office hours.
Check that your courses appear correctly in your student account without timetable clashes. Consult your adviser before changing registration or selecting a course with prerequisites. Before choosing a degree, see our curriculum comparison guide.
Does the final exam determine everything?
Not necessarily. Peking University’s international student guidance describes assessment throughout the semester as well as exams, with course and credit requirements varying by school. This is an institutional example, not a nationwide system.
Write down each course’s grading breakdown. A hypothetical example is assignments 20%, project 30% and exam 50%. Scores of 80, 70 and 60 out of 100 produce a weighted total of 67. This does not automatically establish a pass: additional conditions may apply. These percentages are illustrative, not an actual university rule.
Attendance: understand the process
Ask for the written rules covering lectures, practical classes and labs. How is attendance recorded? Does lateness count as absence? How do you request permission? Do not create your own “absence allowance” based on another university’s practices.
If circumstances prevent attendance, contact the designated office, provide requested evidence and keep the response. Telling a classmate does not replace a formal application. An approved absence may still have academic consequences; ask the office to explain your case.
Credits and GPA are different
A credit is a value assigned to a course within the programme. GPA is a performance indicator calculated under the institution’s rules. Taking extra electives does not necessarily replace a compulsory course.
Before converting results into Moroccan marks out of 20, request an official explanation of the transcript and grading scale. Dividing by five does not establish equivalence or replace degree-recognition procedures. Keep official transcripts and course descriptions.
Failing a course or missing an exam
Ask academic affairs whether you must resit an exam or retake the course, what deadlines apply, whether there are fees and how the new grade is recorded. Check the effect on later courses that require this prerequisite.
If you cannot attend an exam, investigate formal deferral before the exam where possible. Do not assume an automatic resit. If you suspect a marking error, request the review procedure and deadline, explaining your specific concern with supporting evidence.
Assignments and group projects
Read the instructions: individual or group work, permitted sources and citation method. Keep drafts and references, and document your contribution to group work. Ask the instructor about permitted translation or AI tools before using them in assessed work.
Divide the tasks and agree interim deadlines. Leave time for checking and submission. Open the uploaded version afterwards and retain the submission receipt.
A manageable weekly routine
- At the start of the week, review deadlines and official announcements.
- After classes, summarise difficult points and prepare questions.
- Midweek, make progress on assignments and projects.
- At the weekend, review progress and plan ahead, including rest.
If the teaching language is difficult, seek help early and build a glossary for each subject. For arrival arrangements, read our first-week checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one pass mark across China?
Do not assume a universal threshold. Check the rules for your institution, degree level and each course.
Does passing courses guarantee scholarship continuation?
Check scholarship conditions separately. Academic progress and scholarship review may overlap without being identical. Read our annual scholarship review guide.
Who can help with academic difficulties?
Start with the instructor or academic adviser, then academic affairs depending on the issue. The international office can direct you to the appropriate team.
Plan your studies in China with clarity
Redream helps you review study options and the questions to ask before enrolling. Admission and academic assessment remain the institution’s responsibility.