Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-442-6062

Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-925-2803

Of course you'll try to do all your homework, but there will always be a few nights when reading a chapter of Psych 101 doesn't quite happen. You want to do well in class, impress your teacher and fellow students, and learn along the way. Collegiate success, in part, comes from speaking up and looking like a great student - even if you're a tad behind. Here are six tips gathered from fellow professors and a teaching assistant that can help you shine in class even when you're not totally prepared.

1. Read.
Just do it. Pick at least one paragraph from the assignment and read it. If you can't find the time for that, then at least read headings, topic sentences, and concluding sentences. Or, if you haven't bought the book or printed the reading, and its 1am the night before, Google the topic listed on the syllabus and read something about it. Just don't ever tell the instructor your info is from Wikipedia.

2. Think.
I know, more than you wanted to do. But, after you've read topic sentences, take 30 seconds while you walk to class and think what you would say if you were the teacher. This is just another step in your quest for  

collegiate success

 .

3. Ask Questions.
So you read a few sentences, but don't get it. Ask. Quote the text and ask what it means. Teachers love well thought out questions. But how do you come up with such a question? Try a few of these critical thinking question stems as a start:

What are the differences and similarities between X and Y?

How does X relate to Y, which we talked about last time?

What would happen to X if Y occurred?

With these question stems, you're probing about patterns, and cause and effect. You might not know what you're talking about, but you'll look like you do.

4. Write.
If you're shy, or less inclined to speak up during class, take a few notes on the topic at hand. At first, you might just copy what the professor is saying, but then write down what you think. When you write, two things should happen. 1) You'll better remember the material because you wrote it down, and 2) as you're writing (which requires thinking) you may realize you actually have a good question about the topic. Maybe even start it with a question stem. Most professors love good questions.

5. Talk.
I know, all this prep work before you finally get to say anything. But you want to be prepared before you open your mouth. Now that you've read a few lines, thought, wrote, and prepped a question, ask it, say it, give your opinion, or challenge the instructor (in the most polite way possible, of course). Don't blather on and on. Take your carefully prepared thoughts and ideas and clearly articulate what you want to say or ask. Slow down your warp-speed speech, get rid of jargon or slang terms, do not swear, and speak up! Sounds like a lot of rules just to talk in class, but if you're shy, find it easy to sit in the back, or failing a class, a well-timed, well-thought out question or comment can quickly elevate your status in the professors eyes.

6. Humor.
A fellow teaching assistant was grading a mountain of tests and came across this response to an essay question: "Oh, sh*t. What's this?" Another student who knew nothing about the topic, wrote instead about a Simpson's episode. My friend gave them a few sympathy points for their humor and for making her laugh in the middle of grading misery. Humor can go a long way in an otherwise dry class period, lecture, or paper. Make your comment stand out with quick wit, or a smile and a joke and you'll surely make a positive impression on the teacher and contribute to your collegiate success.

Sound Off! Post Your Comments