College is an exciting time for a student, and it involves lots of time, money, and dedication. What things can a student do to make sure his time, money, and hard work pay off? While there are no guarantees for success, here are some things a student can do to prepare himself to succeed.
Pay Attention in Class
If a professor is lecturing the class, it's not a good time to text a friend. Even if an instructor seems "boring" or "dry," chances are there's something in his lecture that a student can learn from. Paying attention and participating in class involve some of the following things:
- Turning off all electronic devices, including cell phones and iPods
- Taking notes
- Asking questions
- Answering questions the instructor asks
- Showing interest in general (or at least staying awake – the instructor will appreciate it)
Chatting with a fellow student, searching the internet, or studying for another class are poor ways of behaving in class. The instructor wants students to be there and participate, even if it means quietly sitting and simply taking notes. Students who want to hold a conversation or play a game shouldn't even bother attending class. Not only does it mean the student isn't getting anything out of class, but it's also distracting for the instructor and other students.
Be Punctual and Prompt
Being late for class or leaving early are considered rude, but things happen sometimes. If a student doesn't make a habit of it, most instructors are understanding. If a student knows he needs to leave early, he should let his professor know before class.
Students should also make an effort to be at every class; that is, a student should attend every class if possible. Some professors don't count absences against the student, but that doesn't mean a student can afford to miss the class. Know the instructor's absence policy. Some instructors wish to be notified if a student is going to miss class and why, while others don't care. If a student knows in advance that he is going to miss class, he should let his instructor know. He may be able to turn in work early or get assignments in advance. If nothing else, he is showing respect for his instructor, and she will appreciate it.
Honesty Really is the Best Policy
Students should strive to be honest with instructors, whether it's telling them the real reason for missing class or with one's homework. Some students panic and feel that the only way to excel in college is to engage in cheating or plagiarism. While instructors appreciate well-written term papers, they want to know that a student is learning what she needs to. Instructors would rather read a poorly-written attempt (if a student put forth her best effort) than a well-done plagiarized paper. Instructors really do want to know what students have to say or what they have learned from the class; plagiarism won't communicate that. Instead, when students are caught cheating, instructors will never again trust the student and will likely fail the student (if not for the entire class, certainly for the plagiarized essay). It's not worth it.
It's also true that a student is cheating herself when she stoops to plagiarizing. She (or her parents) are paying for a good education, and doing the work ensures that a student is learning. It helps the information become ingrained in the student. Cheating – even when accomplished without getting caught – teaches a student nothing.
Be Prepared for Class
Being prepared means more than just studying for a test. Here are some ways students can be prepared for class:
- Reading assigned materials
- Doing homework
- Being ready with questions
- Participating in class discussions
Being prepared for class not only shows respect for the instructor, it also helps the student continue to learn more about the subject. If a student hasn't read the assigned material, for example, it's likely he won't get much out of the class discussion because he won't know what everyone is talking about.
Be Familiar With the Syllabus
Syllabi often seem the same from one professor to another, but instructors really do take a lot of time preparing these documents. A student should know what's in the syllabus, because usually it contains a lot of information a student needs to know. A syllabus usually lets the students know the individual professor's policies (for example, are late papers accepted?) and expectations of students, goals for the class, and some syllabi list homework reading and writing assignments. Some professors also include a course calendar with the syllabus, and this information is most important.
Being a Good College Student
College is usually fun, and new students are getting used to a new environment, new friends, new ways of learning, and newfound freedom. But sometimes high school doesn't prepare students for how to be a good college student. Following these tips will pay off in the long run. After all, there are usually two goals college students have. One is to get good grades, and while these tips can't guarantee that a student will get straight As, they can help a student have the right approach to excelling. The second goal is to learn the material they are taught, because students will usually need the information either in another class or in their chosen career.
By following these ideas, a student will maximize her efforts both in and out of class, and she will likely get more out of college by being an active, rather than passive, student.
Related articles:
Advice for New College Students: How to Handle the First Semester in a University
Traditional Classrooms Versus Online Learning: Is Education Better on a Campus or Through Cyberspace?
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
