10 Ways to Be a Great Student, How to Be a Great Student at School 10 Steps (with Pictures)

10 Ways to Be a Great Student

Dare to be the best student you can possibly be

For Adult Learners

You've decided to go back to school and you're ready to make the most of it. Dare to be the best student you can possibly be with these 10 tips for great students, including study hacks, tips for work/life balance, and how to establish rapport with your teachers and classmates.

Take Hard Classes

You're paying good money for an education, make sure you get one. There will be classes that are required for your major, of course, but you will have a fair number of electives as well. Don't take classes simply to accrue credits. Take the classes that really teach you something.

Be passionate about learning.

I once had an advisor that said to me when I expressed fear of a difficult class, "Do you want to get an education or not?"

Show Up, Every Time

Make your classes your highest priority.

If you've got children, I understand that this isn't always possible. Children should always come first. But if you don't show up for your classes, you're not getting that education we discussed in No. 1.

Make sure you've got a good plan for seeing that your children are cared for when you're scheduled to be in class, and when you need to study. It really is possible to raise children while you're going to school. People do it every day.

Sit in the Front Row

If you happen to be shy, sitting in the front row can be very uncomfortable at first, but it's one of the best ways to pay attention to everything being taught. You can hear better. You can see everything on the board without having to crane your neck around the head in front of you.

You can make eye contact with the professor. Don't underestimate the power of this. If your teacher knows you're really listening and that you care about what you're learning, he or she will be extra willing to help you. Besides, it'll feel like you've got your own private teacher.

Ask Questions

Ask questions immediately if you don't understand something. If you're in the front row and have been making eye contact, your instructor probably already knows by the look on your face that you don't understand something. A polite raising of your hand is all you need to do to indicate you've got a question.

If it isn't appropriate to interrupt, make a quick note of your question so you don't forget, and be sure to ask later.

Having said this, don't make a pest of yourself. Nobody wants to hear you ask a question every 10 minutes. If you're completely lost, make an appointment to see your teacher after class.