With school starting again in a few more days, many students are preparing to get back into “school mode” once again after a long vacation break. For some, it will be an easy transition, and for others, it will be difficult. Instead of letting the latter suffer and struggle getting back into being a “good student” again, here are a few tips for them. Follow them diligently, and in no time, you’ll find yourself getting back into the swing of all things academic related.
1. GET TO CLASS ON TIME.
Students who walk in late are not only disrupting the teacher, they may be missing out on important information. You don’t want to start off the new year by being late, and leaving a bad impression on your teacher and classmates.
2. GET FRONT ROW SEATING.
No, I’m not talking about getting front row seating for the movie theater. I’m talking about getting a front row seat in your classroom. It will allow you to see and hear the teacher better, AND prevent you from being distracted to those rude and disruptive students who tend to sit in the back of the classroom.
3. COME TO CLASS READY TO LEARN.
Which means, TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES, people! Don’t leave your cell phone on vibrate either; it is still a disruption to the class when your cell phone rings. When you’re in class, your primary focus is to learn and be taught, not to talk to your friends or classmates. Also, be sure to come to class prepared with all the school supplies you need such as pencils, lead refill for those with mechanical pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, and notebook paper. The third most disruptive thing to a class aside from students walking in late, or cell phones ringing in class are students who disrupt others asking to “borrow” supplies. So please be kind, and come to class throuoghly prepared.
4. START WORKING ON ALL ASSIGNMENTS AS SOON AS THEY ARE GIVEN.
Time goes by faster than you expect it to, and we can’t always foresee incidents that will get in the way of our homework. Also, if you plan to get an “A” on your assignment, you will probably need to spend hours working on it instead of depending on dumb luck to earn your “A”. We need to realize that earning “As” requires a lot of hard work and dedication, not procrastination and wishing on earning an “A”. If you have any questions about how to do the assignment or when to turn it in, consult your syllabus, fellow classmates, or your teacher.
5. TURN IN YOUR ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME.
This would seem like a no-brainer, but many students fail to do this. Also, be very familiar with assignment make-up policies. If you have a special situation, talk to your teacher before your assignment is due to see if you can get an extension.
6. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.
This means if your teacher writes, “Use better grammar” than you should study grammar. If your teacher writes, “Good work, but you need to write a stronger conclusion” then study how to write a proper conclusion. If you completely bomb a test (and we all do occasionally), that should be a wake-up call to you. It means, WORK HARDER. Go to your teacher for proper feedback and more clarification, if necessary. I recommend doing this anyway because not only will you get more feedback than what’s written on the paper, it also shows your teacher that you’re serious about being a good student.
7. COME TO CLASS WITH A GOOD AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
People who show up to a class and complain all the time, talking on their cell phone and behind the teacher’s back, are really only displaying their immaturity. In addition, they are also the “annoying ones” that other students dislike and probably treat coldly. Leave your personal problems at home, show up with a smile, and try to imagine why you might need to know this information, if it doesn’t seem obvious. (But I hope it is.)
1. GET TO CLASS ON TIME.
Students who walk in late are not only disrupting the teacher, they may be missing out on important information. You don’t want to start off the new year by being late, and leaving a bad impression on your teacher and classmates.
2. GET FRONT ROW SEATING.
No, I’m not talking about getting front row seating for the movie theater. I’m talking about getting a front row seat in your classroom. It will allow you to see and hear the teacher better, AND prevent you from being distracted to those rude and disruptive students who tend to sit in the back of the classroom.
3. COME TO CLASS READY TO LEARN.
Which means, TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES, people! Don’t leave your cell phone on vibrate either; it is still a disruption to the class when your cell phone rings. When you’re in class, your primary focus is to learn and be taught, not to talk to your friends or classmates. Also, be sure to come to class prepared with all the school supplies you need such as pencils, lead refill for those with mechanical pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, and notebook paper. The third most disruptive thing to a class aside from students walking in late, or cell phones ringing in class are students who disrupt others asking to “borrow” supplies. So please be kind, and come to class throuoghly prepared.
4. START WORKING ON ALL ASSIGNMENTS AS SOON AS THEY ARE GIVEN.
Time goes by faster than you expect it to, and we can’t always foresee incidents that will get in the way of our homework. Also, if you plan to get an “A” on your assignment, you will probably need to spend hours working on it instead of depending on dumb luck to earn your “A”. We need to realize that earning “As” requires a lot of hard work and dedication, not procrastination and wishing on earning an “A”. If you have any questions about how to do the assignment or when to turn it in, consult your syllabus, fellow classmates, or your teacher.
5. TURN IN YOUR ASSIGNMENTS ON TIME.
This would seem like a no-brainer, but many students fail to do this. Also, be very familiar with assignment make-up policies. If you have a special situation, talk to your teacher before your assignment is due to see if you can get an extension.
6. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.
This means if your teacher writes, “Use better grammar” than you should study grammar. If your teacher writes, “Good work, but you need to write a stronger conclusion” then study how to write a proper conclusion. If you completely bomb a test (and we all do occasionally), that should be a wake-up call to you. It means, WORK HARDER. Go to your teacher for proper feedback and more clarification, if necessary. I recommend doing this anyway because not only will you get more feedback than what’s written on the paper, it also shows your teacher that you’re serious about being a good student.
7. COME TO CLASS WITH A GOOD AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
People who show up to a class and complain all the time, talking on their cell phone and behind the teacher’s back, are really only displaying their immaturity. In addition, they are also the “annoyiny ones” that other students dislike and probably treat coldly. Leave your personal problems at home, show up with a smile, and try to imagine why you might need to know this information, if it doesn’t seem obvious. (But I hope it is.)
