1. Show Respect. Professors see all! If you slump over your desk, do other homework, roll your eyes, and/or whisper to your neighbor, your prof will almost certainly notice you, but not in a good way. Remember, if you behave disrespectfully, you won't get respect in return.

2. Act the Part. Let's face it -- you're going to have to take classes that just aren't your thing. When I teach a required class at my college, I know not all students are there by choice. Here's what I tell them: If you act like you're interested in the material -- even if you're not -- I won't know the difference. You can play the part of a good student, and that's exactly what I'll see. Who knows? You may begin to believe your own performance and start to enjoy the class after all.

3. Be Prepared. This one sounds obvious, but as your social schedule expands, your study time can become secondary. Do the assigned work, and try to stay awake while you do it. Be an active reader. Underline words in your books, highlight key passages, and use post-it notes to find your way back through the text. Your marked-up books will make it easier for you to write papers and study for exams. Then, make time right before class to page through the assignment. This will refresh your memory and help you lock in what you learned. That way, if you're called on in class, you'll be prepared to say something insightful -- definitely key to helping your prof remember you.

4. Ask Questions. While you're doing homework, write down questions as they occur to you. Then bring the list to class. If you're in a discussion course, this will ensure that you'll have things to say. If there's no opportunity to speak up, just having the list will help you stay focused. It can also give you a reason to approach your professor after class if the lecture doesn't clear things up for you. Real learning starts with good questions. By being inquisitive, you'll become an active participant in your own education. Professors love this, and so will you.

5. Practice Active Listening. Pay attention to all the voices in the classroom, not just the teacher's. Listen closely to what your fellow students have to say. Maybe they're not experts, but, like you, they're grappling with the material, and you can learn a good deal from their views and perspectives. As for your own role in discussions, don't try to dominate, and don't be so insistent on making your voice heard to the point that you drown out others. If you think you're talking too much, you probably are.

6. Know Your Professor. Check out his or her Web site and get a sense of what he or she has published. Some professors put information about their hobbies, families, pets, and interests on their site or have pictures in their offices. Asking about Fido or mountain-climbing might open up a great conversation about things you both like.

7. Make Time for Office Hours. Don't wait until right before an exam or paper deadline; go early in the semester, when there's less likely to be a line. Come prepared with a question or comment on the work. Don't overstay your welcome, though; five to 10 minutes is a good amount of time for an office visit, unless your professor seems eager to keep talking. Take your cues from him or her.

8. Say Your Name. When you get the opportunity to talk to your professor, identify yourself until you know for sure that he or she knows your name. Faculty meets many students each semester, and it's hard to learn everyone's name. Don't be offended if it takes a while.

9. Be Polite. Find out what your teacher wants to be called. "Professor" and "Doctor" are two safe bets. Unless an instructor specifically invites you to call him or her by first name, stick to the honorifics. Don't use "Mrs." unless the professor identifies herself this way. Courtesy also goes a long way. Say "please" and "thank you." If you found something the professor said particularly helpful, say so. Treat him or her the way you would want to be treated.

10. Volunteer.If opportunities arise, make yourself useful. If you want to establish a relationship with a professor in your major, find out if he or she needs a research assistant or someone to pick up library books and make photocopies. In most places you can get paid for doing this, but even if you don't, you'll earn the gratitude of your busy professor and get to spend more time with him or her in the process.

Classroom-Tested Action Plan for Shy Students
Find your voice early in the semester. The longer you go without speaking, the greater the likelihood you will remain silent. Think in advance of things you might be able to say in class. Sit close to the front of the room or to the instructor. Reducing the number of people in your line of vision will make the situation less intimidating. During discussion, try to say something at your earliest opportunity. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to freeze up. And whatever you do, don't forget to breathe. When you get stressed about talking in class, you're likely to shorten your breath and tighten up your body. Try to breathe deeply, and consciously relax your shoulders before you say anything. This will also prevent you from rushing your words. Visualize yourself as part of the discussion. Reinvent yourself as someone who talks in class instead of seeing yourself as someone who can't. Keep in mind that most students feel insecure. You're not the only one, no matter how it may seem .Congratulate yourself for every effort you make, and know that talking in class gets easier the more you do it.

Audrey Bilger is an associate professor of literature at Claremont McKenna College (Claremont, CA).

Facebook | del.icio.us | Digg

Sound Off! Post Your Comments

You are not currently logged on. Please login to add a comment.