10 Ways to Be a Better College Student

As a college senior I can now reflect and see that I have learned a lot throughout my college career about what makes a good student. So, I have chosen 10 tips to pass on to those who are new to college or are looking for ways to raise their GPA and become outstanding students. Some if not all of this advice may seem obvious but I believe it's worth stating.

1. Go to class: That right folks, the best way to be a good college student is to go to class. Not only do you miss out on lectures, quizzes and/or test when you skip class, but it may also leave a bad taste in your instructors mouth. Even if your instructor does not take roll, rest assured that he/she will notice those who habitually miss class. Many instructors also take into account attendance when you are teetering between to grades. If you have a strong attendance record he/she may likely bump your grade up to the higher level.

2. Be on time: Arriving to class late is not only disrespectful to fellow students and the instructor but important information is often disclosed at the beginning of class and missing it may come back to bite you. Showing punctuality will work in your favor when asking instructors for letters of recommendation or references.

3. Sit in front: There are several reasons why an upfront seat in class is advantageous. Sitting up front allows you concentrate better because there are fewer distractions from fellow students. Instructors notice and recognize the students who sit upfront and are more likely to learn your name and make a mental note that you appear to be a good student. More obviously sitting up front allows you to both hear and see better. And, sense you are now arriving to class on time finding an upfront seat should not be an issue.

4. Dress to impress: Many college students dress in sweats or even pajamas. Others, particularly female students, who are fashion savvy dress in ways that are not appropriate for an academic environment (i.e. revealing or provocative clothing). While this may not be inherently wrong, it does not necessarily make a good impression. On the other hand, those who take the extra step to dress professionally and have a "put together" appearance show that they take school seriously and that it is a priority to them. Having a professional appearance too can come in handy when the time comes to ask instructors for letters of recommendation or references.

5. Do the reading: Many students blow off the reading and they can probably squeak by without reading. While you may pass without cracking the books, keeping up on reading assignments separates those students who are either failing or just making it by from those who are excelling. This can be difficult especially for those of you with heavy class loads or who are also working. The best way that I have found to keep on reading assignments is to always have a class book with me. Do a little reading while waiting at the dentist's office, between classes, on your work break or any other down time you come across. You will find that those short reading sessions add up quickly.

6. Make to do lists: Keeping lists of assignment due, reading schedules and other tasks that need completing helps keep you to stay on track and prevents the horrible feeling of walking into class and suddenly realizing you forgot to do the homework or that there is a quiz scheduled. At the end of everyday, check your list to make sure you completed everything you needed to and then make a new list for the next day.

7. Network with other students: For those rare occasions when you absolute must miss class you will want to know someone from class who can give you notes and bring you up to speed on what you missed. You can't always count on the instructor to let you know, as they probably have many students and many classes. Be careful, however, who you network with. Look for students who attend class regularly, sit up front, dress to impress etc. It can also help to find a student who types there notes so that they can quickly and easily email them to you.

8. Be organized: Keep your papers and assignments well organized and separated by class to reduce the risk of misplacing important handouts and to keep you assignments clean and wrinkle/smudge free until they must be turned it.

9. Don't pack up before the class is over: the reasoning for this is the same as that of arriving to class on time. When students put away their belonging before class is officially over it becomes noisy and distracting to other students and may even be offensive to the instructor. It may also cause you to miss important announcements that the instructor may make at the end of class.

10. Go to office hours: When you attend your instructor's office hours you will have an opportunity to build a good rapport and show that you take your class serious and are concerned about your performance/grade. Building a positive relationship with instructors during office hours will once again be useful when you find yourself in need of references and letters of recommendation.

If you follow these 10 tips along with actually studying and doing the work I can just about promise it will be reflected on your next grade report and maybe next semester other students will be trying network with you. So give it a try!