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Your teacher wants to
think you're there because you
love to learn, don't blow it by bringing up
this question.
“Is
this testable?” Double
whammy if you ask when the prof is on a roll,
digressing on some protracted story that lost
you 10 minutes ago. Although
it seems like an intelligent question at
first, it drives teachers crazy. Why? Teachers
generally have spent copious amounts of time
researching to bring you the latest and
greatest information about what they teach. Most
want to pass on to you their enthusiasm for
the subject so you want to learn for the sake
of learning itself.
In the real world, you and I know everyone can’t love
every single class. In some courses you just want to know the
bottom line, “Hey, will you ask me this on a test?”
Fair enough, from the perspective on your side of the desk. Here’s what the teacher hears when you
ask that question: “Do I need to listen now, or can I zone out again, since I’m
bored beyond belief, and I’m only taking this class because there was no way out
of it?”
While it may be the case that you are barely able to
remain conscious as you listen to the professor pontificate about the topic at
hand, remember, diplomacy is paramount when dealing with your teachers. And, it’s your job to figure out what
might be tested by paying close enough attention so you can tell when points are
being repeated and emphasized.
Your instructor isn’t generally going to be so blatant as to say, “And
this is on the test.” If he does, consider it a gift.
©2006 Copyright Crystal Jonas |
