Remember that class where it seemed no one had done the reading and the professor did everything but lit her hair on fire to get the discussion going? What are your thoughts on preparation and participation for classes? any adivce to offer? tips to give? anecdotes to recount?
Being a teaching myself now, I feel that it's really important to be prepared for class. I will definitely admit coming to class my fair share of times unprepared, and I felt like the dumbest kid in the class because I had no idea what everyone else was talking about. I felt so much more knowledgeable and excited when I came prepared, got to raise my hand and share my opinion. Even if you don't get to read ALL of what was assigned (for some unbeknownst reason), read part of it, that way you can share something. The littlest bit helps in class and gets others responding. Maybe even discuss the section with a friend before class so that you can both help lead a discussion!
ReplyDeleteIt is DEFINITELY important to be prepared for classes. Like Jessica said, as a teacher myself, I completely understand how it feels when students come unprepared for class. I am experiencing it now with my middle schoolers as we are on the brink of interim reports. It can be very aggravating for the teacher when he/she plans for amazing discussions and reflections on the reading and his/her students did not do the assignment(s). As a freshman you may be very overwhelmed by the work load of all of your classes, but it is very important to manage time wisely and ensure that the assignments get completed for all of your classes because each one is important.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a teacher, but I am a grad student. I might be one of the few students in class that was and still is always prepared to discuss what was read the night before. It was taught to me from the beginning that participating helped you learn the information much easier than trying to study flash cards on your own.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing, when it comes to professors who see you constantly participating they'll be more likely to understand when you're teetering between an A- and a B. They're also much more understanding if you're going to miss a few classes due to extra activities.
And don't be afraid to say the wrong thing. The best part about an open class discussion is that you learn from each other. Can't even tell you how many times I said the wrong author or publication year in Dr.D's class.
If you start to participate now the mandiorty participation in Grad School won't come as much of a shock, even if you do have to raise your hand to speak.
I can honestly say that I was one of those students who HATED talking in class. I was always worried that someone was going to judge me for my opinion or I was going to say the wrong thing. One thing I have learned is that almost everyone has that fear. Speaking in-front of people still isn't one of my strong suits but I continue to work on it!
ReplyDeleteI can say that now I am in graduate school I understand a lot more about how important it is to do your readings before class. If you are really having a hard time with the readings speak to your professor to see if there is any way that they can help you out. An example being certain points that they want you to be able to understand. Or sometimes professors will write up study questions that correlate with the readings. You can also form a study group, or have a study partner who you can check in with if you have any questions. I highly recommend that before any sort of exams.