| I would like to present the Top 5 Things NOT To | | | | are not implying that I'm supposed to give away |
| Present Yourself As A Serious Student. And to be | | | | freebie points to bump you up to the next grade." I |
| crystal clear, serious students are those who are | | | | once had a student state that he realized there was |
| interested in graduate school (and more than likely, | | | | a strict attendance policy, and despite the fact that |
| beat the competition to get in). | | | | he missed nine classes, he felt like he deserved an A. |
| 1. "Is this gonna be on the test?" | | | | You have really got to be kidding. Ditto to the |
| *Heavy sigh* Not only am I not reviewing information | | | | student who admitted that he failed to attend any |
| just for my health, but oftentimes lessons learned in | | | | of the Thursday lectures for his Tuesday/Thursday |
| class are bigger than students realize. Assignments | | | | class (and wanted to know why he was failing tests). |
| that build in critical thinking questions? These are | | | | And last, but not least: |
| great preparation for the skills needed in graduate | | | | 5. Texting, Twitter-ing, or Facebook-ing your way |
| school. Little do students realize, grad school is heavily | | | | through class. |
| reliant upon critical thinking skills. | | | | I love social media as much as the next person. |
| 2. "I missed class yesterday. Did we discuss anything | | | | However, there is a time and a place to keep in |
| important?" | | | | touch with friends -- and classtime is neither. Some |
| Great way to notify me of your absence from class. | | | | people think that large lecture-style classes buys |
| And regardless of how it was intended, it is a little | | | | anonymity, and while your T.A. or Professor may not |
| off-putting to ask your instructor if anything | | | | say anything to you, trust, they are definitely taking |
| important was covered in class. Aren't all classes | | | | mental notes. |
| supposed to cover important material? Otherwise, | | | | Now let's talk about how serious students tend to |
| why are we here in the first place? (And yes, I have | | | | comport themselves in the classroom. First, they're |
| actually had a student ask me this question.) | | | | very aware that the T.A. may be their main point of |
| Honorary mention goes to: "I missed class. Can you | | | | reference for judging their ability to do well in |
| give me the notes?" It is probably a much better | | | | graduate school. This is especially the case if you |
| idea to ask one of your classmates for notes than | | | | attend a large university where the norm is the 1000 |
| the actual T.A. or professor. Again, off-putting. And a | | | | seat lecture hall. It is an absolute great idea to take |
| sign that you are not taking this class seriously. | | | | your classes seriously, communicate interest in the |
| 3. "I'm only taking this class because it's required." | | | | particular subject area (or related areas, like asking |
| You know.... As a student, it is your absolute right to | | | | the Social Psychology professor how to get involved |
| proclaim that (1) you're not interested in my class or | | | | in Cognitive Psychology), or ask your T.A. for advice |
| (2) you're only paying attention as little as possible to | | | | on applying to grad school. Remember, your T.A. is |
| pass the test. That's fine. However, it is also my right | | | | very likely the person who will be signing off on |
| to decline to lend support should you ever ask for a | | | | letters of recommendation (or even if not, the |
| letter of recommendation. | | | | professor is likely to ask his/her opinion about your |
| 4. "I know I missed ___ classes, but I need ___ | | | | abilty to do well in grad school). Do your best to |
| points to make a ___." | | | | impress! |
| My response? "Wow. That's interesting. I hope you | | | | |