Students need clues on what to expect from the Teacher.  Teachers need to tell the Students what is expected for success in their course.  What’s the plan, the syllabus, the calendar or end-goal of the educational interaction?

The course schedule is a skeleton on which the course and student expectations are built.  If the Teacher provides a syllabus or course outline, the student has the equivalent of a map for the journey.  Expectations and directions are shared and the student-teacher team develops.

Students:  USE this information wisely.  Start now to anticipate what you must do to succeed in this course by knowing what comes ahead.  If you were traveling across the country in a car, you would better prepare yourself by looking at a map or gazetter to know the best highways, straightest and shortest routes and see where mountains or waterways might interupt your directions.  The syllabus and course calendar is just such a map.  If you want to be your best in the task of completing a course, study this map first and plan accordingly.

Teachers:  Direct your students with more than breadcrumbs to lead the way.  Show some method to the madness of education.  Start with a simple but accurate and complete plan, calendar and preview of what is to come.  What do you want the student to take away from your class daily or at the completion of the course that is worth the time and effort of the journey?

The Challenge for Teachers – Give the Students a Big Picture view before the class is underway, with a map and expectations for a successful journey.

The Challenge for Students – Figure it out anyway if you are not spoonfed.  Ask questions to determine expectations and know what the goals for successful completion will be.  Anticipate and become your own best teacher as you go through the course.  If you teach yourself and prepare what you can as if you had to teach someone else, you will be as successful as you can possibly be for this course.  Good luck.

Be present to the right location a little early.  Plan to head to the location early, just in case clocks vary or unexpected delays pop up.

Know the instructor’s name.  Have whatever books or materials ready and with you.  Have needed tools for taking notes.  Turn your phone off when you enter the room.

Be rested if at all possible.  Look rested and attentive no matter how you feel.  Seriously, take time to wash your face, brush your teeth, comb your hair (not a time to have fashionable bed-head) and put on appropriate, comfortable, clean and unwrinkled clothing and shoes.  This is one time you should let your clothing and grooming serve you by providing comfort and by presenting a first impression of dependability to your instructor and classmates.  Avoid bold, flashy or distracting clothing and be very cautious in using products with perfumes that may be a problem for your classmates.

Once in the room, set the stage for your best advantage.  If you truly want to seek success, be bold enough to select a chair near the front of the classroom.  Personally, I always selected the seat at the front far right on day one.  You are not right under the instructor’s nose and won’t appear to be seeking pet status so obviously.  This vantage point allows you proximity to the instructor and a point from which you can turn in your seat to view the entire room comfortably.  Since many classrooms still feature chairs that open to the left side, the far right seat actually gives you the flexibility to turn around easily.  This is a small thing, but you’ll find a few advantages that will combine with others for big advances.

Finally, once you are in place, just relax, or look like you are relaxed and comfortable in your own skin.  Make eye contact with your classmates and instructor and share a greeting.  Comfortable conversation initiated by you will open doors immediately and favorably, with a few exceptions of grumpy people.  Be that positive person who takes the first step.  Do not overdo this.  Be simply polite and keep the conversation light.  Do not use profanity – no exceptions, even in general expresson.  Don’t comment on other classmates unfavorably or make remarks about the instructor.  Keep the attitude positive and very light.  You are setting yourself up to be approachable and safe, not too bold and not the class clown right off the start.  Most of your classmates are apprehensive coming into the new setting.  Even if you have to pretend to be at ease in the new situation, you will instantly break the ice and help everyone to relax.  For this act, you will hold an initial role of leadership in the dynamic of the group.

Before the class even begins, you are already levels ahead of the rest of the class. Simple steps, completed consistently will lead you to success to the best of your intellectual abilities.  When the class is beginning, leave all the world behind for that brief period.  You may have to work at that, but plan ahead to focus on the instruction.

With a few days into January as this entry is posted, some classes have already had their first day.  It is completely fine to re-read this at the beginning of Fall classes, Spring classes, Summer, etc.  The principles will be the same.  Any day is a good day to start successful habits.  This is just a start.

Students:  Whether you are in primary, secondary, college or graduate school, if you are to be in a class for the purpose of learning something… BE THERE!  Show Up!  There are reasons that courses have classrooms otherwise textbooks would be distributed, and everyone could just go home.  If you have a class to attend, figure out in advance where you are supposed to be and get there before the starting time.  As a student progresses to the college level, this does get to be a bit more of a challenge with a variety of campus buildings and sometimes a variety of campuses.  As a university educator and a parent, I have always been baffled at how many students cannot seem to get the first class of a semester located in the right place, the right time and even right date.  Many students, given the option, will blow off the first day because “nothing happens”.  On the contrary, the first day establishes the tone and expectations for the semester.  Often a course calendar or syllabus is distributed and explained.  I suggest a spiral notebook style calendar with enough room to note when, where and the dates.  Simple to get started… Day One success:  Be There, and repeat as necessary to have perfect attendance.