Getting to Know Faculty

Get to know your professors. Talk to them. Professors are some of the coolest people you will ever meet. Ask them about class, or life in general. Most professors are fun to hang out with. If you like the professor and have time, go grab coffee with them. While it is good to talk about class, don't just talk about class.

Get to know your professors. Seriously. If a teacher knows you are interested and engaged in the class, he is more likely to work with you and help you out when you need it.

Go to class!!! Teachers notice if you are absent, and it does not sent the best message. Once or twice is okay, but try to keep it to a minimum. Besides, in most classes missing a day or two could seriously hinder your grades.

Don't sit on the back row in class. Sounds dumb, but professors notice things like that. Sitting on the back row screams, "I'm not interested. You're wasting your time!".

Use the syllabus. Some high school teachers gave a syllabus to you, and odds are that it never got looked at. But when a college professor hands out a syllabus, use it! It will usually letmyou know when you need to know something for class, as well as homework, quiz, and test dates. If you lose it, ask the professor for a new one -- at any rate, it is an excuse to go say hi.

Try to take the best professor. Chances are that other students have had to take the same classes you do. Ask who the best professor for the course is, but keep in mind that the easiest professor is not always the best -- especially if the course is a prerequisite for another course you have to take. Challenge yourself, but do not overload yourself. It is very likely that taking the slightly harder professor will better prepare you for the next class.

Do not sleep in class. Thank you Captain Obvious, but you would be surprised. It is much harder than it sounds. Between classes, student organizations, and friends, sleep tends to become a minor concern. Make sure you get plenty of it! Sleep is not overrated. Nothing says "slacker" like falling asleep in class.