1	Presents
2	How to Get Along With Your Professor
3	Professors are not like High School Teachers Welcome to college-level education! Things are a bit different here than they were back in high school. This presentation will help you to understand how things are different and how to make the most of your time at the university.
4	The Prime Directive Go to class! It seems like such a simple thing. But many professors will not take attendance and you may be tempted to spend more time watching your favorite soap opera as it is broadcast rather than by video tape.
5	Violating the Prime Directive Professors may say they don’t care about class attendance. Don’t believe it! They notice who’s there and who’s not. They make decisions about whom they will be willing to help and whom they will not.
6	Now that You’re In Class Be prepared! Have a notebook and something to write with Bring any books or articles that are part of the lecture Being prepared communicates interest.
7	Sit In the Front Hard to believe, but there is a positive correlation between sitting in the front of the classroom and getting better grades. The more active you are in class, the more you will learn.
8	Don’t Be Late! Being late is often disruptive And the smaller the class, the more disruptive it is. The first few minutes of class are often used for important announcements Like changes in the syllabus Changes in assignments
9	Better Late Than Never? Watch how the professor responds to others who are late then guide your actions accordingly. During the first class period, you may ask the professor about her or his preferences about this.
10	Flat tire, sick child, etc. If emergencies arise and you must miss class: Leave a message for the professor (e.g. voicemail, e-mail, etc.) to let them know you had an emergency Get notes from someone you trust (someone who’s doing well in the class) You may want to visit the professor during office hours to catch up on things.
11	Beyond the Prime Directive Now that you are going to class and are prepared, there are some general rules of etiquette that you may find useful.
12	Logel’s Law “Logel’s Law” states: “You can’t remember something you haven’t read.” Be prepared to go to class by reading any assignments or reviewing any materials to be used for each lecture. You will get more out of the lecture You can participate in the discussion
13	Be Attentive and Participate Here are just a few things students have done in class that are disruptive and disrespectful Reading the newspaper, yawning, stretching, answering cell phones, chatting with other class members
14	Participate Courteously #1 You don’t have to agree with everything your professor says. But how you ask a question or make a statement has a big impact on how the professor will respond to you.
15	Participate Courteously #2 Being positive rather than negative will often get you a better response. Questions like, “Could you elaborate on…?”, “Could you clarify…?” are often most helpful. Questions beginning with, “I don’t see how you…” or “Don’t you think…?” are less helpful.
16	Participate Courteously #3 Making relative rather than absolute statements will often stimulate discussion “It seems to me..”, “I think..”, or “Perhaps..” rather than “Everybody knows…”, “The fact is…”, “Any idiot can see…”
17	Understanding Your Professor Faculty members at the university are not quite the same kinds of folks you met in your elementary and secondary education. Understanding a bit about them may be helpful.
18	Who Are These People? People who teach in college have not gone to college to get a bachelor’s degree in education and get state certification as a teacher. Faculty members hold advanced degrees in their fields of study Graduate Teaching Assistants are graduate students in that program.
19	More About Who They Are Different graduate training programs have different course requirements. Often, those receiving advanced degrees are not required to learn how to teach or how to write tests. Each professor will have a different style. Some professors will know more about psychometrics and test construction than others. All of them have a great deal of knowledge in their area of expertise.
20	What Do They Do? Most faculty members are required to be involved in a variety of research and publishing activities in order to be promoted or tenured. Many faculty are also required to advise students in their department, supervise graduate students, and participate in community activities. So…they have a variety of things that keep them very busy all the time.
21	What do they Want from Me? 1. They expect you to read the syllabus they give you explaining how the course will be taught, reading assignments, tests, projects, etc. 2. They expect you to keep up with assignments and the course calendar. 3. They expect you to be happy to be there, basking in the glow of their wisdom. 4. Almost all will treat you as if their course is the only one you are taking.
22	What do I Want From Them? 1. An “A” 2. No reading, no assignments, no projects, no tests. 3. A teaching style consistent with my personal needs. 4. To be treated like I am their only student.
23	Now What? We’ve already talked about the prime directive. Here are a few things you may want to consider to help you get the most out of your experience.
24	How to be a Model Student In general, professors all like the same thing in student behavior. “Good” students: Attend every class Come prepared for the lecture Participate in discussions Ask questions after first having tried to figure it out
25	What Will That Get Me? Now that you’re a good student, you can Make an appointment to see your professor during office hours (listed in the course syllabus)
26	Why Would Anyone Do That? If you’re future’s so bright that you have to wear shades… Professors will be the ones to write letters of recommendation for jobs, summer internships, research opportunities, graduate school applications, student honors societies, etc. – the better they know you…
27	Any Other Reasons? They can help you with difficult parts of the class – if you show them you have tried to work things out yourself first. They can cut you some slack if something unexpected happens in your life.
28	Do’s and Don’ts for Meetings 1. Do be on time. 2. Do be prepared with specific questions, issues, concerns 3. Do address them appropriately (Dr., Mr., Ms.) and pronounce their names correctly. 4. Don’t whine 5. Don’t put the blame for your lack of understanding on their lack of abilities as an instructor 6. Don’t discuss a test or assignment grade when you are angry. Present your questions or concerns politely, but don’t expect the world to change.
29	What Else Do I Need to Know? Get assignments in on time. Earthquakes, floods, fires, and catastrophic illnesses are the only good excuses for not having planned ahead well enough to be on time. (See the Time Management Workshop). There is a definite relationship between students who do poorly on tests, receive low final grades, or fail courses, and those who turn in assignments late.
30	Anything Else? One of the biggest differences between college and high school is the amount of independence you are given. Professors won’t keep track of whether you are doing your homework or assignments You are responsible for getting your work done!
31	Keep A Positive Attitude 1. Find a way to make each class important and interesting to you – this will make studying easier and keep you more involved 2. Plan ahead and keep ahead so that you can ask for the help you need 3. If something is hard, don’t stop or give up – get help!
32	What Help? Most colleges offer all of these aids in some form or other: Learning skills help (improving study skills) Labs for basic skills (math, writing, etc.) Tutoring Self Management (stress, anxiety, time, etc.)
33	Help at TWU Write Site Writing Lab 898-2341 Learning Assistance Center 898-2046 Science Learning Resource Lab 898-2553 Disability Support Services 898-3835 And last, but not least…
34	Counseling Resources Currently enrolled campus-based TWU Students may call or stop by the Counseling Center for an appointment. Counseling is free and confidential. Denton: West Jones Hall 940-898-3801 Dallas: Parkland, Room 120 214-689-6655 Dallas: Presbyterian, Room 16 214-706-2416 Houston: North Residence Hall 713-794-2059
35	TWU Counseling Center Resources Visit any of the TWU Counseling Center waiting areas to pick up handouts about being a good student and other topics of interest. Denton: West Jones Hall Dallas: Parkland, Room 120 Presbyterian, Room 16 Houston: North Residence Hall Some handouts are also available on our web site at: http://www/twu.edu/o-sl/selfhelp.html.
36	Credits and Disclaimers This presentation was created by Donald Rosen, Ph.D., Director, Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center. This presentation was created for educational purposes only. The TWU Counseling Center does not provide on-going counseling via the internet, telephone, or e-mail. Comments and suggestions about this presentation may be sent to the author at drosen@twu.edu.
37	Thanks! Thank you for stopping by to visit this site. We hope you found it useful.
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