How
To Graduate On Time: Seven Secrets To College Success
By
Bruce Gibbs
Congratulations.
You have made the decision to pursue higher education and to meet
your goal of obtaining a college degree. You are embarking on
a journey that can take you places you may have only dreamed of.
Being in college can be fun but it can also be challenging. In
this article I have put together ten steps that can help you to
be successful at your collegiate goals.
1.
Be punctual: Being late for class is a sign of disrespect.
It tells the instructor you don’t want to be in his class
or that you don’t take the class seriously. You also miss
important information when you are late. Do you like it when people
are late for something you’ve planned? Of course not. The
instructor has spent time preparing for the class and you should
give the instructor the time you have scheduled for his class.
Besides, you have spent money for the class so you should show
up on time to get what you paid for. Being punctual also helps
when it comes time for grading. Grading is subjective and you
want to do everything you can to leave a positive impression in
your instructor’s mind so he can remember you this way doing
grading. Being late for class doesn’t make a positive impression.
So if you are habitually late, why should he sweat over your grade?
Take my word for it, show up on time.
2.
Do the homework: It is a waste of your time and the instructor’s
time if you just sit in class but never do the assignments. Not
doing class assignments is a guaranteed way to fail. Instructors
use assignments to determine your knowledge and your grade. Assignments
also help you to learn more about your field of study. Instructors
can also tell if you half-heartedly completed an assignment. And
don’t wait until the last minute to do your assignment.
If you start early you will have a better product than if you
waited until the due date to start on it.
3.
Ask questions: Some people think asking questions is
dumb. In reality it’s just the opposite. Instructors like
students who ask questions. It shows you are interested in the
class and that you really want to learn more about the subject
the instructor is an expert in. The question you ask is probably
the same question several other students in the class want answered
so you’ll be doing them a favor.
4.
Be confident: As an instructor, I like students who are
confident in their abilities and act on them. Many times students
are afraid to speak up in class or write a paper about an interesting
subject because they are afraid what the instructor or their fellow
students may think. As a result research papers or projects are
sometimes dull and boring because they cover “safe”
topics. It’s okay to be afraid. It’s not okay to let
fear keep you from doing something you really want do. So go ahead
and write that paper you’ve been longing to write or start
on that project that you truly believe in. Be confident and be
able to back up your findings or conclusions with evidence.
5.
Volunteer: College instructors like students who volunteer.
Volunteerism shows you want to really want to get involved in
your major or your school. You don’t have to volunteer for
something big. It could be something as simple as agreeing to
be a group discussion leader or leading a class project. It could
be volunteering to be on a student committee or to be on the board
of a student chapter of an organization. Find ways to volunteer.
This will not only help your grades but it can also enhance your
studies.
6.
Be prepared for tests: Depending on your instructor,
you may not know when she may call a pop quiz. Successful students
are prepared and always ready. You can be prepared by reading
the class material before the class, participating in class discussions,
and by doing the assignments and exercises in your textbook.
7.
Get to know people: Successful people network. You have
to do the same too, even on a college campus. When you get to
know people on campus they share with you information that they
have. This information can help you in a class, help you to save
money or a purchase, assist you in choosing a class, or even choosing
a major. Networking is a very important tool in the world of business
so you might as well practice the skill while you are in college.
Remember
that you can be a success in college. Yes it’s hard but
you can do it.
Bruce
Gibbs has been a college instructor and is the author of the college
success book, Giving Away the Keys: A Professor Unlocks the Secrets
to College Success. You can visit the book’s web site at
www.GivingAwaytheKeys.com or pick up a copy at Amazon.com
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