When you enter the classroom, be willing to learn classroom material. If you don't, then you may not enjoy the class or even feel that you are making progress toward your goals. You can't expect to be an ace at something you don't know how to do. It's OK to ask for help if needed, but don't make the class or school into a punishment playground. Learn to take advantage of all the resources that are available to you in the classroom.
If you feel that something is missing from the class, or you simply need more time to complete assignments, let your teacher know. Most instructors will give you more time than they realize if you explain your situation. Don't be afraid to ask for help as well. An instructor's help can go a long way toward keeping you motivated.
If you learn best in a group, join a student study group. Try to find one that is centered on the subject you are studying. This will keep you more interested in the course and your work will be more quality because of the group effort. Be sure to check with your school counselor about the availability of such groups.
Attend every class meeting. You need to have clear goals for the class so that you will stay focused and continue to learn. Be certain that your priorities are in order before you leave the class. It is also a good idea to set reminders for yourself to do your homework and to attend the class discussions.
Learn how to manage your time. Learning to manage time is part of your responsibility as a student. Each time you are in class, ask yourself what you can do to improve your time management strategies. Use your notes and study guides for important class topics so that you can learn the information at the appropriate times.
Classroom demonstrations are a great way to motivate you to learn. Use these demonstrations to reinforce what you have learned in the course. However, watch for when a lecturer is going over material and skip that part. You do not want to be wasting your time with repeated explanations of something that you already know. Watch for the sections where you can get information that you did not learn in the class.
Attend any student conferences, and speak to your peers. These are great opportunities to talk to people outside of the class and to network with others in the class. Learn what your classmates are learning, what they are getting out of their studies, and what their experiences are like. Get to know them outside of the classroom through their conferences. The more you get to know your classmates, the better chances you have of learning from them.
The most important part of your course is the first day itself. That is when you put together all of the learned materials that you have been learning, including assignments, class discussions, exercises, etc. That first day is the only time you get to do this all over again. Take the time to make sure you are ready to go out there and get everything done on time.
Another very important time to step up and take the course is right before test time. Set aside some time in advance of the exam date to review everything that you have learned. Be certain that you understand every concept that you have read. Be certain that you feel comfortable with the material. If you don't, it may be time to review the material and do some additional study.
Test time is always a very exciting time for many students. It is a time to show the school what you have been taught and to hopefully pass the class. Be very careful about being over-excited or anxious before the exam. Stay calm and focused during the entire examination. Be sure that you are well rested before the test.
If you find that you have been putting too much unnecessary study time into the class, ask yourself how much you have actually learned. Is there more that you could have learned? This will help you make sure that you understand the materials on hand and that you can easily retain the information.
If you feel that you have covered everything that was required of you, then it is time to review the material again. Be certain that you understand all the concepts. Be sure to take notes during the class so that you will be able to review your notes at a later time.