Why should I fill out my course evaluations?

There are so many things going on at the end of any given quarter (finishing final papers, studying for exams, taking exams, preparing to leave campus for a break or for the summer), that it’s quite common for course evaluations to slip through the cracks. However, you really should make an effort to fill out your evaluations for at least three very good reasons.

Why Fill out Evaluations?

It Helps You

Filling out a course evaluation gives you an opportunity to reflect on your progress throughout the course. What have you learned? How far have you come? What parts of the class appealed to you? Which did not? Being thoughtful about your experience as a course comes to an end can help you make better decisions when selecting classes for a new quarter or when exploring options for a major. Filling out your course evaluations in a timely manner also means you get to see your final grades as they come in (rather than having to wait up to a week until they have all been submitted).

It Helps Your Professors

Thoughtful course evaluations help professors identify what is working in a particular course, and, perhaps even more importantly, what could use improvement. The more detailed you are in your written course evaluations (about lectures, readings, assignments, and exams), the more information a faculty member has to work with as they restructure and refine future iterations of a course. Evaluations are also customizable, so your professor might include questions specific to your class. Your input is crucial in the successful growth and development of Stanford courses.

It Helps Your Fellow Stanford Students - Present and Future

Not only does your input help improve Stanford courses in the future, but your course evaluations can also assist your peers in making good decisions when they are selecting courses.

Your quarterly course evaluations represent both your right to have your voice heard and your responsibility to the university and your peers. It’s tangible evidence of your commitment to Stanford and Stanford’s commitment to you.