17 Tips From a Professor on How to Be a Better Student
This week’s video discusses my thoughts on 17 tips on how to be a better student.
These are just my opinions I have developed over 41 years of teaching.
Here we go!
#1: Pay attention in class
Don’t zone out!
Pay attention as if you are going to be asked a question in a few seconds.
#2: When you are asked a question…
And don’t know the answer immediately, say ‘let me think’ about that for a minute.
Sometimes you need time to process the question and formulate an answer.
#3: Sitting in class
Students who sit in the last row usually don’t participate, and consequently, it is difficult to get to know them (e.g., letters of recommendation, etc.)
Sit in front couple rows to be more noticeable.
#4: Be an active learner
Sit up straight.
Make eye contact.
Nod your head to indicate you’re listening, or at least pretend to be listening.
#5: Take notes
Take notes by hand – it is proven to help remember and synthesize information.
#6: Limit distractions
It is hard enough to focus. Make life easier on yourself by limiting as many distractions as possible.
Turn off your cell phone or don’t bring it to class, no laptops, stay off social media.
#7: Be prepared
Buy required books, software.
Do the assigned reading.
READ the damn syllabus!
Do your homework, practice questions.
Learning to be prepared is something that will serve you well in life!
#8: Ask Good Questions
As you do readings, write down questions.
Asking good questions in class will make you stand out.
Challenge the professor, make them think.
#9: Entitlement
Focus on learning instead of what’s on the exam!
When the prof says ‘this is on the exam’ – write it down!
Grow up! Your prof is not your Mommy/Daddy, just like your boss won’t be your Mommy/Daddy when you get a job!
#10: Be on time!
Coming in late is disrespectful.
And it is a distraction to your prof and fellow students.
Be disciplined and be on time, it will serve you well in life.
#11: Take Advantage of Cultural Diversity
Get to know students and professors from different cultures by forming friendships, visiting/learning about other cultures, being open to new experiences and new cultures.
See what you can learn from them.
#12: Don’t Fall Asleep!
It may sound obvious, but I cannot tell you how often it happens!
If you think you may fall asleep, get some coffee OR stand up against the wall and at least pretend to have a bad back.
#13: If you are learning something hands on…
Take a photo or video of it or of the professor showing you how to do – ask their permission first of course.
#14: Teaching to others
As Rick said in his blog post on ‘How to Learn Faster’, teaching is a great and proven way to learn.
Use it when you are studying by teaching stuff to others and have them teach it to you.
#15: When it comes to term papers…
READ the instructions!!!
READ the syllabus.
I can’t even estimate how students don’t read the instructions on the syllabus. Consequently, they lose points for no rational reason.
#16: Use study time wisely
Prioritize what you are studying.
Use 80-20 rule, Pareto principle.
#17: Build relationships with the professor
Go to office hours so they get to know you.
If they are willing to mentor you, take advantage of it.
Ask if they are doing research and if you can help.
Do something for them that makes you stand out.
Use it or Lose It to Make It Actionable – How to Be a Better Student
For how to be a better student follow the tips we just discussed.
When to Use It
If you are a student.
When you are trying to learn new things
NOTE: If you know someone who is a student or someone who is an avid learner, you may want to forward this to them.
What Do You Think?
Which of these tips resonate most with you? Do you have any other tips that you have used to be a better student now or in the past? Please share in the comments below!
Until next time, behave and as always…Prime Your Pump!
–Howie
If you enjoyed this post, it would mean the world to us if you shared it with people you care about via any of the social media platforms below!
Popular Previous Posts:
Fatherly Advice: 7 Amazing Things My Father Taught Me
Say Cheese! 9 Amazing Benefits of Smiling
27 Valuable Lessons From Sports That Have Shaped My Life!
This is How to Get Good at Overcoming Procrastination!
How to Wear the 6 Thinking Hats to Make Better Decisions
Good advice! The most important one is to stay focused in class and become involved in the learning experience. Rick did this in grade school and as a result, he always achieved high marks and he seldom had homework.
Another good video. I will reply with just a few comments on selected items, plus provide some observations I developed about professor’s attitudes in college and grad school.
3) Some teachers seat the class alphabetically, so if your name begins with S, you are in the back row. The solution is to raise your hand, ask and answer questions to get noticed.
7) No professor provided a syllabus when I was an undergrad. Only in grad school did we receive syllabuses (I had to look up that plural), but not for every class. When given out, they were quite helpful.
8) And the reverse applies also. In classes where the professor asks “What’s your opinion on this?” or “Who can give me an example?”, I always tried to answer one question per classroom session. You get noticed positively that way, especially if seated in the back row.
12) There are reasons why a student falls asleep. He may have been up most of the night cramming for a really bitchy calculus test. I took a required thermodynamics course that met at 8 AM, Tues-Thurs-Sat. Saturday mornings most of the class attended in body only, often me included.
– My classroom days were pre-computer and pre-cell phone, so those distractions did not exist. What was damn distracting were the cute girls who wore low cut sleeveless blouses and shorts on hot days.
– Some professors just lectured, often in a monotone voice. “Save all questions for after class”. By then you probably forgot the question, or realized “I got to walk across campus for my next class”
– It seemed like many professors (mainly liberal arts) were of the opinion that their class must be the most important class that the student had to take that particular term. Seldom did a professor realize “OK people, I know this class is required of everyone. I will try and make it as painless as possible”.
– Overall, grad school felt more relaxed than undergrad. I attended evening classes due to work, and the professors mostly realized the limits for study and preparation time.
Have a great weekend.