How to be successful in class

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Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-L0611-0004 / CC-BY-SA

Welcome back!

It’s almost time for a new semester at the college.  It’ll be pretty exciting to come back to campus and see all those familiar faces.

Coming back can also be hard.  Getting back into a regular schedule … and all that homework!

But, it's also a time to make a fresh start.

Each new semester is a chance to improve your learning skills, and your chances of success.

Okay … so you are probably thinking that just means hitting the books.  And, you might think getting good grades is just about being smart.

But, none of that is true!

How do students succeed?

They have good learning skills & behaviors.

What does that mean?

It means developing habits that help you learn more efficiently.

It also means you have change your behaviors.

If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry. I am going to help you this semester!

Here’s my beginner’s guide to success in any class:

• Show up to every class and be on time.
• Always take notes on every lecture and activity.
• Come prepared.
• Get your supplies right away. 
• Schedule time to study and do assignments.
• Finish reading assignments on schedule and take notes.
• Make an effort to find answers before you ask for help.  
• Turn in your assignments on time.
• Do not use your cell phone during class.
• Keep an open mind.  
• Make friends in class. 
• Believe you can learn.

Sounds pretty easy, right?

When students do these simple things, they usually find learning is a lot easier.
But, if you want to do things the hard way…

Here’s my guide to failure in any class with sarcastic commentary:

(that means this part is just a joke and I don't really want you to these things)

• Miss class. (Assume you can figure it out later.)

• Be late. (Assume you will not miss something important or disrupt the class when you come in.)

• Don’t take notes. (Just believe you can remember every single word you hear. When it comes time for a test or homework assignment, simply ask the instructor to repeat everything that has been covered up to that date.)

• Don’t come prepared. (Assume you can somehow do the activity without necessary supplies.)

• Procrastinate on getting supplies. (Assume that you can get by without them - see above.)

• Don’t create a schedule. (Simply wait to feel inspired to do your homework and hope that’ll happen before the due date, test, or whatever.)

• Don’t ever try to solve problems or look things up on your own. (Tell yourself that problem-solving skills are not important and won’t help you after you graduate.)

• Cheat. (Convince yourself you can still learn when you cheat.  Also, that it’s not a big deal and won’t change the way people think about you, and won't affect your future.)

• Assume art takes inspiration. (Don’t bother to get started unless you feel inspired.)

• Don’t turn in assignments on time. (Convince yourself it won't affect your final grade.)

• Use your cell phone during class. (Convince yourself it isn’t rude, and that everyone else around you is not irritated and distracted by it. Convince yourself that you can still concentrate on class when you are texting.)

• Don’t make friends in class. (Believe a friend could not help you with a problem or share their notes. Believe that social skills are not an important part of your college experience.)

• Believe you can't learn.  (I can't even be sarcastic about this because it's so detrimental to your learning that I hope students never do this.)

Make a choice!

It sounds pretty ridiculous to choose not to succeed.
But, sadly, every year students choose these poor learning behaviors. 

So here’s where you make a choice
Choose to develop good learning skills and behaviors!
I'll be here to support that choice all semester.