Holly KepherrHave a teacher that’s a tough nut to crack? Here’s how to get on their good side and stay there.
First of all, it bears saying that your teacher most likely doesn’t hate you. It’s possible you might have made a negative first impression. Sometimes it takes time to get into the groove of a class and learn a new teacher’s expectations. That’s OK. You can fix it. Here are some tips on how to get back on your teacher’s A+ List and stay there for the rest of the semester.
Be on time for class.
Seriously, this makes a huge impression on a teacher. Your professors are there to give you their time and expertise to help further your education and career path. Be respectful of that. They are not on your time. You are on theirs. If you have been consistently late for class, your teacher might have a bad impression. Being late says to them that you are irresponsible, have bad time management skills and aren’t respectful of their time. When you walk in late, it disrupts class and can ruin your teacher’s train of thought. Perhaps they were in the middle of an important point or telling a story that might be essential to the lesson material. Don’t make the class time for you. Be on time and your teacher may start feeling more positively about your contributions to the class.
Ask questions and participate.
There’s nothing a teacher likes more than an engaged student, so ask questions about the material (make sure they’re relevant!). Asking questions ensures the teacher knows you’re interested and willing to learn the material – maybe even excited about it. Your professors have spent their whole adult’s lives learning as much as they can about the subject they’re teaching. They have a lot to give. Show them some appreciation by asking questions and raising your hands. Ask questions even when you’re unprompted by the teacher. Professors use the Socratic question-and-answer method in the class, but they love it when a student cares enough to ask a question that might springboard into a new topic or deeper conversation about the lesson. Participate in class, too. Show your professor that you’ve got one ear on their lesson and one thinking about how it can apply to your life. By participating, you dispel any impression your teacher got that you’re not interested or don’t care about their class.
Follow all the instructions on projects and assignments.
Why is this important? Because few things say “I really didn’t care about this assignment” than not reading the instructions carefully enough and turning in an incomplete assignment. Read the instructions religiously. Highlight the important steps to take to finish it completely. Don’t rush. Take enough time on each assignment to complete it fully. Turn in quality work that’s 100 percent finished. In most classes, you don’t get the chance to revise your work. Turn in “final draft” quality work every time, even if the professor tells you you’ll get to go back and make changes later. Do your best. It sends a message.
Make sure you understand the material.
If you’re having trouble, ask questions in class. In fact, it’s best to come prepared with questions before you even step foot in the classroom. Most often, teachers will go over the material you covered the previous class period before launching into new lessons. During that time, raise your hand and ask your questions. If you don’t have a chance during class to do this, go to your professor’s office hours. Now, they are on your time. They want to see you and make connections between names, faces, and classwork. This is an excellent time to talk to your teachers and create a new impression for yourself. If you’re in a time crunch and need to finish an assignment, but don’t have the luxury of face-time with your professor, a tutor from a service like Solution Inn is available for you whenever you need them. Turning in work that demonstrates mastery over a subject is immensely helpful in building a relationship with your teacher that will last long after the semester is over.
Rabia Kanwal
Add comment