by Ariana Dale
One of the best-kept secrets of successful students isn’t actually about academics. It’s not even about time management. This secret is about respect and how you treat others around you. Your professors already want you to succeed, but if you show them that you respect them, they’ll feel even more inclined to help you out. Here are some undervalued ideas to help you make sure you’re showing your professors that you respect them:
- Be neat
If you look at a stack of assignments students have turned in, chances are it’s going to contain work with a wide range of neatness. What students often forget is that someone is going to have to sift through those heavy eraser marks, the wrinkles, or that chicken scratch. This requires more work for the professor to figure out what the student is actually trying to say. Show your professors respect, save them some time, and make sure you’re scoring all the points you can by tidying up your assignments before you turn them in. If they can’t read your work easily, they can’t grade it properly.
- Bag off desk & phone away
We all know phones can be a huge distraction in class. Your professors know this well. If you’re on your phone and not paying attention (or even if you think you’re also paying attention), you’re telling your professor (and your classmates), that you don’t respect the classroom. And trust me, I’m sure your professor is probably getting pretty good at picking up on when you’re on your phone. Don’t think they don’t know that you’re using your “accessible” backpack as a shield. A professor who feels like she has your attention also feels respected, and frankly, that makes class go better for everyone.
- Pencils down gently
In grade school I was told, “When you’re done, pencils down.” It was fun to be in a competition with my classmates to see who could slam their pencil down the fastest. However, this isn’t actually the best signal to a professor. Writing assignments given in class are meant to make you stop and think. As soon as you slam your writing utensil on the desk, or even let it clatter haphazardly, you’re telling the professor (and your classmates, too) that you didn’t really care enough to be thoughtful about the assignment, even if you really did care. Send your professor the correct message of respect and put your pencil down gently.
- Find a genuine curiosity
Getting a PhD is no easy feat—professors spend a lot of time studying in their disciplines and getting credentials. Chances are, they’re going to be excited to dig deeper with you and share what they’ve learned over the years. Engaging in that academic conversation about their subject can show your professors that you respect and value what they have to teach. So, do the assigned reading, ask questions, even after class, and don’t be afraid to share what you found meaningful.
What secrets do you have to be successful in the classroom?
Ariana is the Post-Graduate Teaching Intern (PGTI) for the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). She graduated in the spring of 2016 with a B.S. in biology and a creative writing minor.