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Becoming a Student

Becoming a Student

Enrolling in school, even taking one class at a time, requires great personal commitment.  Following basic studying strategies can put you at the top of the class and develop indispensable skills to apply during your professional career. 

• Attendance:  The most important thing a student can do is attend every class.  The teacher will recognize you as a serious student and your final grade will reflect your good attendance.  If missing a class is unavoidable, leave a phone message for your teacher with an explanation.  At the following class, ask to copy a classmate’s notes.  It’s a good idea to exchange telephone numbers with fellow students in the beginning of the year for this reason. 

• Extra Help:  Whenever class material becomes unclear or confusing, it’s important to get extra help immediately.  Lessons build upon each other; if you become lost and don’t seek help, it can be very difficult to catch up.  Your teacher will have office hours during the week specifically to tutor students.  When you have upcoming tests, form a study group.  Meet a few times at the library or someone’s house to share notes and test one another. 

• Study Consistently:  Making time to study will make you a successful student.  If you have a family, it will be difficult to find time, particularly if you work.  You may need to get up in the morning before your children or stay up later than usual.  Weekends, which are usually reserved for fun, suddenly become prime time for studying.  Don’t leave your schoolwork for the last minute.  Study one to two hours each day.  Some people follow this formula: 1 hour of class = 4 hours of homework. 

• Use the Library:  The library is a student’s most important tool.  There are countless online and printed resources available.  Librarians are educated to train students in research, so don’t be intimidated to ask for help.  Visit libraries at other schools or towns if you cannot find what you need at your own.  If you don’t belong to a particular library, it will likely allow you to utilize the facility, but may not allow you to loan materials.   

These are only a few recommendations.  If you have any other suggestions you’ve learned, we’d love to hear from you. 

Posted by: Laura Wagner