Ok college freshmen, the exciting first weeks of freshman orientation, dorm icebreakers, and pre-football rallies are likely starting to wind down. That means it’s time to pack your laptops, zip up your backpacks, and head to class.
But if you’ve never attended a conference of more than 300 people, or the follow-up discussion session, you may be wondering what to do to prepare. Here are some tips to prepare for class and make the most of your first semester:
Tip No. # 1: show up on the first day of class
We know it is tempting to hit the snooze button and skip the first biology lecture at 9:00 am. But the first few classes can be surprisingly crucial – it’s when teachers often announce reading changes, schedule changes, and decide which people on the waiting list will be admitted.
For those teachers who prefer to communicate in person rather than online, it is especially important to show your face. Believe it or not, some even accept attendance, which means that no-show can affect your final grade.
Tip No. # 2: sit at the front of the room
Conference rooms can be big, very, very big. And while it’s tempting to sit in the back where no one can see you, these are the places where you’re most prone to MLNS-Mid-Lecture nap syndrome. If you sit in the front where the teacher can see you, you are more likely to stay awake, take notes, and get your money’s worth at each and every conference.
Tip No. # 3: don’t buy the books until after the first day
Sometimes a particular class or teacher can sound absolutely amazing, until you sit back and try to listen to them speak for an hour. Therefore, it is best to wait to buy the books until you are sure you want to take the class, so you have to go back and forth to the bookstore yourself. Teachers have been known to change / add / drop books at the beginning of class as well, so make sure the list is finalized before shopping.
Tip No. # 4: come to the conference and discussion prepared
Yes, those “Legally Blonde” scenes are true. While you may not be in law school, you may very well be in a conference, class, or discussion where the professor or instructor randomly calls students during class. Some even add pop quizzes to the mix. So do yourself a favor and make sure you stay up to date on your reading.
Tip No. # 5: make friends with someone in your conversation
If you are in a large class, it can be difficult to meet people. But the discussion sessions held in conjunction with the lecture can be the perfect time to connect with someone in your class for study sessions, group projects, and article editing. Who knows, a current classmate might even become a future colleague or employer in the future.