Classroom PracticesClassroom Practices

Presented by the Academic and Career Advisement CenterPresented by the Academic and Career Advisement Center

10 Tips for 10 Tips for Getting the Getting the Most Out of Most Out of Time Spent in Time Spent in ClassClass

#10) Do NOT Fall Asleep in #10) Do NOT Fall Asleep in Class!Class!

• Be aware of your non-verbal communication.Be aware of your non-verbal communication.– Are you slouching?Are you slouching?– How many times have you yawned?How many times have you yawned?– Don’t wear pajamas to class.Don’t wear pajamas to class.

• Get enough sleep. Get enough sleep. – The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night.The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night.– Your brain can’t function properly without sleep.Your brain can’t function properly without sleep.– If you need to, schedule time to sleep.If you need to, schedule time to sleep.

• Don’t “offend the professor”.Don’t “offend the professor”.– Keep your feet on the floor.Keep your feet on the floor.– Raise your hand when asking a question.Raise your hand when asking a question.– Don’t pass notes/carry on conversations.Don’t pass notes/carry on conversations.

#9) Turn OFF the Cell #9) Turn OFF the Cell Phone!Phone!

• In other words, “don’t be rude”.In other words, “don’t be rude”.– A ringing cell phone is a rude interruption.A ringing cell phone is a rude interruption.– Be considerate of other studentsBe considerate of other students

• Turn your phone to silent or vibrate.Turn your phone to silent or vibrate.– If you need to take a call, step out of the class to do so.If you need to take a call, step out of the class to do so.– Resist any temptation to answer text messages.Resist any temptation to answer text messages.– Or better yet…don’t bring it at all.Or better yet…don’t bring it at all.

• Laptop – Turn off sound.Laptop – Turn off sound.– Avoid Facebook, MySpace, etc.Avoid Facebook, MySpace, etc.– Class time is not appropriate for Instant Messaging.Class time is not appropriate for Instant Messaging.

#8) Turn your work in on #8) Turn your work in on time!time!

• Keep track of due dates and assignments.Keep track of due dates and assignments.• Use checklists, schedules, or a planner.Use checklists, schedules, or a planner.• Set up an Outlook calendar…pre-program.Set up an Outlook calendar…pre-program.• Use a system that works for you!Use a system that works for you!• Double check due dates (w/ the professor).Double check due dates (w/ the professor).

• Staying organized is essential.Staying organized is essential.• Individual folders per class…avoid bringing the wrong stuff.Individual folders per class…avoid bringing the wrong stuff.• Color code lecture notes.Color code lecture notes.• Prepare notes/books/other materials the night before class.Prepare notes/books/other materials the night before class.

• College-level workload is substantial.College-level workload is substantial.• By planning ahead, you can avoid panic and cramming.By planning ahead, you can avoid panic and cramming.• If you want results, you have to devote the time.If you want results, you have to devote the time.• Stay ahead of the game…incredibly difficult to play “catch up”. Stay ahead of the game…incredibly difficult to play “catch up”.

#7) What’s Important to the #7) What’s Important to the Instructor?Instructor?

• Usually, he/she is the one who designs Usually, he/she is the one who designs assignments, writes exams, and assigns grades.assignments, writes exams, and assigns grades.

• Think of them like a “boss”.Think of them like a “boss”.• Think of your coursework as your “job”.Think of your coursework as your “job”.• How important are lectures? Assigned readings? Essays?How important are lectures? Assigned readings? Essays?• The course syllabus usually describes how the course will be graded.The course syllabus usually describes how the course will be graded.

• Use the professor’s office hours to address your Use the professor’s office hours to address your questions.questions.

• It goes a long way to show that you are putting forth effort.It goes a long way to show that you are putting forth effort.• Face to face conversation is usually preferred to email or phone contact.Face to face conversation is usually preferred to email or phone contact.• The more specific you can be with your questions, the better. The more specific you can be with your questions, the better.

• Listen for points stressed during class Listen for points stressed during class • Key phrases like “you need to pay attention to this” Key phrases like “you need to pay attention to this” • Repetition of facts, concepts, etc. Repetition of facts, concepts, etc. • Mentioned in lecture? Covered in the book? It’s important!Mentioned in lecture? Covered in the book? It’s important!• Pay attention to what the professor says as the class is ending. Pay attention to what the professor says as the class is ending.

#6) Ask Questions! #6) Ask Questions! Participate!Participate!

• What’s confusing? Do you What’s confusing? Do you need something to be need something to be explained again?explained again?

• Don’t be afraid to raise your Don’t be afraid to raise your hand. Others most likely hand. Others most likely have the same question, and have the same question, and will appreciate the will appreciate the clarification.clarification.

• Active participation helps you Active participation helps you focus during class.focus during class.

• Professors are more likely to Professors are more likely to help the students who help the students who approach them with approach them with questions related to content questions related to content of the course.of the course.

• ““When does this class get When does this class get out?” is not an appropriate out?” is not an appropriate question.question.

#5) Take Notes!#5) Take Notes!• Do what works best for you…and…Do what works best for you…and…

• Keep in mind that what “worked” in previous classes may not Keep in mind that what “worked” in previous classes may not be the best method for every course.be the best method for every course.

• Be willing to adapt your note-taking style to best fit the Be willing to adapt your note-taking style to best fit the course.course.

• Keep it simple. Keep it simple. • Write legibly…you have to be able to read them later.Write legibly…you have to be able to read them later.• Use short sentences. Shorthand? Use short sentences. Shorthand? • Simple organization is key. Outline? Color code?Simple organization is key. Outline? Color code?

• Edit your notes soon after class.Edit your notes soon after class.• Highlight main points.Highlight main points.

• REVIEW your notes on a regular basis, REVIEW your notes on a regular basis, • DailyDaily is best…or… is best…or…• Weekly review sessions (Sundays are a great time to Weekly review sessions (Sundays are a great time to

refresh/prepare for the week ahead).refresh/prepare for the week ahead).

• RELATE your notes to chapters in the text.RELATE your notes to chapters in the text.• Where do both connect?Where do both connect?• Where don’t they connect?Where don’t they connect?• How is this relevant to the big picture?How is this relevant to the big picture?

• Refer to the following slides for note-taking guides.Refer to the following slides for note-taking guides.

Notes Example: Notes Example: Simple OutlineSimple OutlineI. I. United States Aircraft CarriersUnited States Aircraft Carriers

A) Nimitz ClassA) Nimitz Class

1. USS Nimitz1. USS Nimitz

a) Detail?a) Detail?

2. USS Abraham Lincoln2. USS Abraham Lincoln

a) Detail?a) Detail?

3. USS Theodore 3. USS Theodore RooseveltRoosevelt

B) Kittyhawk ClassB) Kittyhawk Class

1. USS Kittyhawk1. USS Kittyhawk

2. USS Constellation2. USS Constellation

a) Detail?a) Detail?

b) Detail?b) Detail?

Notes Example: Notes Example: Cornell Method Cornell Method

Note Taking space: Record lecture notes as fully and as meaningfully as possible. Write down what you think is most important. Don’t worry so much about using complete sentences, or having perfect grammar.

Left Margin area: As you’re taking notes, keep this column empty. After the lecture, when you are reviewing your notes, you will use this area to reduce the notes you took during lecture to concise, short phrases. Those short phrases will serve as cues for reciting and reviewing the information. These cues will help you locate sections of your notes when you have numerous pages of material.

Summary section:You should get in the habit of being able to put lecture content and concepts in your own words. Try writing two complete sentences that summarize the entire page of notes.

Image Source: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/mcgraw/images/cornell-method.gif

Notes Example: Notes Example: Mind MappingMind Mapping

#4) Be Interested in the #4) Be Interested in the Lecture Topic!Lecture Topic!

• This may be difficult, at times…This may be difficult, at times…• And that’s OK. And that’s OK. • You most likely will not be interested in every topic.You most likely will not be interested in every topic.• You might even have something else on your mind.You might even have something else on your mind.

• Again, be aware of your non-verbal communication.Again, be aware of your non-verbal communication.• Posture?Posture?• Facial Expression?Facial Expression?• Showing up late?Showing up late?• Burying your face in your laptop?Burying your face in your laptop?• What do these convey about you?What do these convey about you?

• Remember…you are paying for the class so get as much Remember…you are paying for the class so get as much out of it as possible.out of it as possible.

• Your education is an investment.Your education is an investment.• Try to relate the topic to your major. Is there any overlap?Try to relate the topic to your major. Is there any overlap?• You are more likely to remember facts about topics you can relate to areas of You are more likely to remember facts about topics you can relate to areas of

interest. interest.

#3) Sit Up Front!#3) Sit Up Front!• Sitting in the front Sitting in the front

rows allows you to rows allows you to better see and hear.better see and hear.• Fewer opportunities for distraction.Fewer opportunities for distraction.• Pay attention to the lecture instead of Pay attention to the lecture instead of

people watching or Internet surfing.people watching or Internet surfing.• You won’t be able to socialize during You won’t be able to socialize during

the lecture.the lecture.• In a way, your seat up front will In a way, your seat up front will

“force” you to become engaged in the “force” you to become engaged in the class.class.

• The professor will see The professor will see you.you.• Allows for communication and Allows for communication and

engagement with the professor.engagement with the professor.• Body language…sitting up front shows Body language…sitting up front shows

that you’re interested.that you’re interested.• It will be easier for you to ask It will be easier for you to ask

questions.questions.

#2) DO go to Class, and DON’T #2) DO go to Class, and DON’T be Late!be Late!

• Class attendance is directly linked to academic Class attendance is directly linked to academic performance.performance.

• Those students who attend regularly, earn better grades.Those students who attend regularly, earn better grades.• Staying current with course material is essential.Staying current with course material is essential.• Changes to dues dates, assignments, and tests are Changes to dues dates, assignments, and tests are

announced in class.announced in class.• Some professors use attendance when figuring grades.Some professors use attendance when figuring grades.• Many professors use lectures as the main basis for test Many professors use lectures as the main basis for test

questions.questions.

• Don’t be late!Don’t be late!• You want the professor to notice you, but not because you’re You want the professor to notice you, but not because you’re

late.late.• Stumbling in late is distracting to other students and to you. Stumbling in late is distracting to other students and to you.

• Think “PROFESSIONAL.”Think “PROFESSIONAL.”• Would you be late to your job?Would you be late to your job?• Would you miss work and not notify your boss?Would you miss work and not notify your boss?• If you are going to miss class, it is a good idea to contact the If you are going to miss class, it is a good idea to contact the

professor to learn of missed assignments, or provide them professor to learn of missed assignments, or provide them with a reason for your absence.with a reason for your absence.

#1) Last Tip: If You Need Help, #1) Last Tip: If You Need Help, Ask.Ask.

• Ask for help SOONER than later.Ask for help SOONER than later.• It’s better to address concerns early.It’s better to address concerns early.• That allows you more time to remedy the situation.That allows you more time to remedy the situation.

• ProfessorProfessor• Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask. • Visiting office hours is usually best.Visiting office hours is usually best.• Many faculty members are also academic advisers.Many faculty members are also academic advisers.

• ACACACAC• Advisers are available on a walk-in basis.Advisers are available on a walk-in basis.• Help with career choice, academic skills, course scheduling, etc.Help with career choice, academic skills, course scheduling, etc.

• All Campus TutoringAll Campus Tutoring• FREE tutoring for a wide variety of subjects.FREE tutoring for a wide variety of subjects.• Study groups.Study groups.• Walk-in.Walk-in.• Study PracticesStudy Practices

• Other?Other?• Resident Adviser or Resident Director.Resident Adviser or Resident Director.• Dean of Students.Dean of Students.• Friends or classmates.Friends or classmates.• Multicultural Education and Resource Center.Multicultural Education and Resource Center.

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