Doing Your Homework Before Class

One thing students should do to prepare for the first day of class is to do some research about the course. I see it many times where students come to class unprepared. At the very most they'll have is a couple pieces of paper and a pen and that's it.

If you really want to impress your professors, you'll do research about the class and the professor. Students can visit the school's website and navigate to the course division or department. If there is a link to the professor, usually there is a syllabus or at the very least a course description. If this is not available, students should check the book information online. Textbooks are listed for each course. Unless you are petitioning a class as a late add or money becomes an issue, there is no reason you should not have the textbook prior to the first day of class.

Other options are used texbook stores. Do a Google search for used texbooks and several listings will return. One of the most popular is Half.com. Here you can enter ISBN numbers, title of the book or search by author. You can add a book selection to your WISH LIST. Books listed on Half.com are exactly that: half off the normal cost of the book or more. You can opt for faster shipping if needed. Overall, your experience on Half.com will be a good one. Actually, any online used textbook store you search for have comparable prices and your success rate with them should be equally as good.

You will earn kudos from your professor if you come prepared with a printed syllabus. This will indicate to your professor that you are not only computer savvy, but that you are eager to learn and taking his/her class seriously. You gain the respect of your professor and the envy of the class.

Another tip: depending on where you prefer to sit in class, I find the best location is towards the front, if not the front row. By sitting towards the front, there is very little distraction. If you are taking a class by yourself (meaning with no friends or family members), pay special attention to your classmates. If you gather outside the classroom awaiting for the doors to open, take a few minutes to survey your classmates. Stay clear from the "chatters" and the "gossipers." If they're chatting up a storm outside of class, they'll chat up a storm in class.

Also, while the professor is reading through the syllabus, highlight any important dates, assignments and other pertinent information you need as you go along. Take note of any incidentals he/she mentions that are not already listed on the syllabus. Use a different color (like red ink) to write in any information not already on the syllabus. Be sure to obtain the professor's email address, office hours (if applicable) and phone number just in case. You never know if while driving into class, you get a flat tire and you never get to school. On that note, you'll want to take at least one or two names, email and phone numbers of fellow classmates for the same purpose. Usually, professors don't check their voice mail or email messages until sometime later in the week, so it is vital to have a "class buddy" to help relay messages to your professor and to obtain material from class. I personally will keep my cell phone on up to five minutes before class just in case a fellow-student tries to call in cases of emergenices. I would want my classmate to do the same for me.

Lastly, when a professor dismisses the class for the day, I make it a point to introduce myself so that my professor will associate a name with a face. This is important especially while leaving a voice/email message. I also identify myself with the days and the times the class meets and especially where I sit adjacent from where he/she instructs (i.e., a podium, front or back of the classroom, right or left of where he/she stands, etc).

Do all that you can to stay one step ahead of the rest of the class and at least stay in sync with the professor's syllabus. Take a look at the first week of class and if there are any reading assignments, start those immediately. I usually make it a point to be one week ahead of the syllabus so as not to get too far behind, especially if you have several classes, this comes in handy. If you are able to email your professor a week before school, do so, and ask for a syllabus or a link to his/her web site to better acquaint yourself with the course subject.

Bottom line, come to class prepared! Treat the first day of class as though you are going on a job interview. Your syllabus acts as your resume. Your research on the class is what you would do normally in researching a potential employer. Dress appropriately. I usually start the first day of school business-casual and depending on the culture of the classroom or the teaching styles of the professors, will determine how I dress in the future. Yes, comfort is important and there's nothing wrong with coming to class in sweats or jeans, but don't come to class in your skivvies! This sends a bad message to your professors and it just speaks volumes of how disinterested you are with his/her class.

By starting these good work habits, provides you with powerful tools to become more marketable!