Get on your professor’s good side and stay there
By Crystal Jonas
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About 85% of your success in life rests on your ability to get along well with others. This includes gaining and keeping good rapport with the professor. If he likes your attitude, you’re much more likely to max out that discretionary 10% that has a significant influence on your grade.

Go early; stay late.
Okay, you don’t have to keep sitting there minutes after the class ends. You should, however, come a few minutes early and stay though the entire class. No need to be the last person to leave, just don’t create a draft trying to get out the door at the end of class.

How early do you need to come to class? Early enough that you have your book and notepaper out and your pen poised and ready to go before the professor even opens his mouth.

Why? Because often, he has either just taught a class or just reviewed his notes, and wants to make sure he makes some critical points before they slip his mind. Sometimes, students will be talking to him just before class starts, and maybe they’re all asking the same question. He will use those first few moments of class to clear up the issue for the entire class.

Also, your professor may wrap up the class making sure he touches on and reviews key concepts one more time before you go. Remember that key concepts are testable material. Coming a bit late or leaving a bit early, unless it’s absolutely necessary, and you’ve mentioned it to the professor beforehand, makes you look bad. It may appear that you don’t plan your time well, so you can’t get there on time.

You may seem (gasp!) lazy and thoughtless. A tiny transgression that’s more damaging than you’d think: coming a little late to class or leaving a little early. Be aware of the image you project in the classroom. Whether you realize it or not, something as small as coming in a minute late from time to time, or packing up while the professor is still talking and slipping out a moment early makes you look bad.

It suggests disrespect for the professor and the class. Whatever your reason for being late, correct the situation so you can be where you need to be when you need to be there. If you absolutely must be late or leave early because of an appointment, let the professor know ahead of time.

Now that may be a lot to read into being late and leaving early, however, all the professor has to go on is what he sees, not your reasons for doing it.

And when you do go to class, BE there. Sit as close to the front as is comfortable, focus, come prepared, and take part in active listening and note taking. When the time is right, jump on in and ask a question.

Answer a few, too. It’s your class. Make the most of it.

NOTE: You're free to reprint any or all of this article as long as you attach the following information to the excerpt:
Crystal Jonas, the Nation's "College to Career Success Coach" is the author of the top selling book "College Success Your Way," and the CD Set "The Power of Purpose." Crystal delivers over 100 programs across the U.S. a year and helps college students excel in college and prepare for career success. Find out more about her programs and products for "College to Career Success" at www.TapYourGenius.com.

Go early; stay late. Okay, you don’t have to keep sitting there minutes after the class ends. You should, however, come a few minutes early and stay though the entire class. No need to be the last person to leave, just don’t create a draft trying to get out the door at the end of class.

Now that may be a lot to read into being late and leaving early, however, all the professor has to go on is what he sees, not your reasons for doing it.

And when you do go to class, BE there. Sit as close to the front as is comfortable, focus, come prepared, and take part in active listening and note taking. When the time is right, jump on in and ask a question.

Go early; stay late.
Okay, you don’t have to keep sitting there minutes after the class ends. You should, however, come a few minutes early and stay though the entire class. No need to be the last person to leave, just don’t create a draft trying to get out the door at the end of class.