To Go or Not to Go: 3 Tips on How to Get the Most out of Your Class
We’ve all been there. That long internal debate that you have with yourself before class. You tell yourself that this class is pointless. It’s a real snoozer, and you don’t get anything out of it besides a headache from the kid next to you that keeps clicking his pen. On the other hand, you know going is the right thing to do and if you don’t go you could miss something important and your guilty conscience will get the best of you. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If you ever find yourself in this debate, know that there are tips and tricks to help you get the most out of each class. These three easy tips will help you gain the most out of your classes and put an end to the internal debate of, “to go or not to go”.
Get to know your professor.
Your professors through college can and will be your most important asset. They are respected professionals in your field of study and to not get their insight on the field would be a waste. With that being said, talk to them about more than class and pick their brains on what their area of study is all about. Go to their office hours, approach them after class, ask them to get coffee one day; they are in the position that they are in to help and inspire the next generation of professionals. So many times professors have connections with professionals that can lead to mentorships, internship or even job opportunities. By making this extra effort with your professor you create a relationship, making the class more engaging and giving you the ability to gain more information than just what is in the textbook.
Take notes, and not just from the board.
Yea yea I get it. Some of you might be thinking “I already do that” or “I get them once they are posted online”. However, the way you take notes is crucial to your understanding of the class. When I say take notes, I don’t just mean notes on what is on the board, but I also mean quotes, questions and discussions that were brought up in class. These new ideas that were part of the class discussion can sometimes be more of a teaching moment that can make us think. When looking back on these notes, it can also spark other ideas that can help with studying for an exam or writing a paper. Taking your notes to the next step can also help you stay engaged during class and will allow you to contribute, enhancing your takeaways.
Get to know your classmates.
Make it your mission in every class to meet the people around you. Hear me out on this one, your phone is great but your classmates hold more information than that little glowing box in your hand. The people in your class can teach you more than you think. Through their experience in school and the professional world, these people can give you pointers and ideas you might find useful. These classmates can work as great study buddies or people for a group project. Stepping away from the classroom, your classmates can also help in a professional setting. One of your classmates could have a connection to your dream company or you never know, you might even end up working with them one day. As we get into our higher-level classes, we must even think of that as a networking tool. So make sure you’re reaching out, it never hurts to say ‘hi’.
By applying these three easy steps to your classes, we promise you will start to see that each class has the ability to teach you something new. Your attitude and actions can reflect your takeaways from classes. When faced with the question “to go or not to go”, always go!
About Melissa:
Melissa Albano is a senior at Grand Valley State University studying advertising and public relations with a minor Mandarin. This is her fourth semester as part of the GrandPR family and she is more than excited to be serving as the Vice President of Operations. Along with being involved with GrandPR, Melissa participates in GVSU's PRSSA as well as being New Member Educator in her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. Whenever Melissa catches a quiet moment you can find her hanging with friends, doing some yoga, or exploring more of the beautiful Great Lake State. A fun fact about Melissa is that she lived in Shanghai, China for three years when she was younger. She can't wait to see what great experiences this position will lead to.