I had the honor of teaching college students for eight years. I enjoyed my job for the most part (the passionate students, the quirky colleagues, the classroom debates, and the on-campus Starbucks), but there were also the nuances that come with being an educator. There was the student who couldn't make it to class because he had to take his lizard, whose tail had fallen off, to the vet. There were the increasing issues with cell phones being given more class time than the lectures, group projects, and writing assignments. There were the attempted grade-negotiations and the eye-rollers.
Listen. College teachers want their students to succeed. In order for this to happen, it takes teamwork, much of that falling upon the student. As a former college teacher, here are the things college students need to do in order to meet their educational goals:
1. Show up.
It's very simple to do. There's a class start time and end time, and you should be there the entire time. Nothing irks a teacher more than a student who misses class and then the next day asks, "Did I miss anything important?" Snarky teachers might say, "Why yes! That test worth 75% of your grade." A good teacher says, "Yep" and moves on to doing what he or she is supposed to do: deal with the students who bother to show up.
2. Show some respect.
It might be college, and it may be perfectly fine with your teacher if there's an agreement that you'll be on a first-name basis. However, what isn't ok is any name-calling, finger-pointing, or raving-while-weeping. Your teacher is you teacher: not your friend, your counselor, or someone you can bully. Remember, your teacher is your teacher for a reason. He or she has the education and experience to be a tier or two above you. Err on the side of respect. This goes for not only your teachers, but also for your future bosses.
3. Turn your assignments in on time.
It's highly likely that your teacher laid out the semester's schedule during the first day of class. You've had ample time to complete your assignment and turn it in. If you are ever earnestly running late (due to your own fault or not), email the teacher quickly, explain your situation honestly, and ask for an extension. If the teacher grants your request, thank him or her profusely, and don't let it happen again. If your teacher denies your request, accept the consequences with grace and move on, because reverting to disrespect will get you nowhere (see point #2).
4. Have a good attitude.
Some classroom assignments, lectures, and group work projects aren't going to be fun. Welcome to being an adult! Your teacher isn't Walt Disney. He or she doesn't exist to keep you entertained, comfortable, and happy. A great teacher knows that his or her job is to help you succeed by learning and retaining what you learned. Not in the teacher's job description is to coddle or appease you.
5. Participate appropriately.
Here are some certain ways to piss off your teacher: sleep in class, roll your eyes, sigh loudly, use your phone in class, whisper, refuse to take part in conversations, treat your peers disrespectfully. Equally as annoying is being a know-it-all, a brown-noser, or a conversation-dominator. Participate in class by sitting up straight, taking notes, listening to your teacher and peers, and chiming in when you have a question or a comment that contributes to the classroom conversation. And please, please, keep your phone out of sight. And when I say out of sight, I mean not in your lap or under your textbook where you can "secretly" respond to texts or check Instagram.
6. Don't have your parents intervene on your behalf.
If you have an issue with the class policies, the teacher, or the assignment, speak to your teacher directly and honestly. If you can't articulate what you want in person, send the teacher an e-mail. But do not, I repeat, DO NOT, have your mommy or daddy contact the teacher on your behalf. This is not only cowardly, but it shows a lack of maturity and personal responsibility. If you do approach your teacher and do not resolve whatever issue you are experiencing, you are free to talk to the teacher's supervisor...respectfully.
7. Give your teacher some breathing room.
Don't expect to get your term paper back the day after you submit it. Don't expect that if you e-mail your teacher at 2 a.m. frantically asking how to cite a radio show episode in your research paper, you will get an immediate response. Teachers have lives outside of school, just like you do. If you have an urgent request, e-mail your teacher and put "urgent" in the subject line, and then wait for a response. If your request of one of a less-urgent nature, wait until the next class, and ask your question before or after class.
8. If you need help, ask.
Most teachers have little issue working with students outside of class. In fact, it's appreciated because work before problems arise makes more sense than coming to the teacher after you receive a failing grade on a test and saying, "But I didn't understand the material." Being proactive and asking for help shows maturity, self-awareness, and personal responsibility. Teachers are also more likely to give a student grace (when needed or requested) when the student has genuinely sought the teacher's expertise and insight.
9. Have fun, but not too much fun.
Students who are on their own for the first time are tempted to make some slippery-slope, novice choices. Enjoy your college years, but remember that there is life after college, life that requires balance and responsibility. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy. Exercise. Learn to manage your time. Carefully select which extracurricular activities you agree to participate in. Ask for help from the professional services available on your campus. And please, don't show up to class obviously hung over or let me overhear you bragging about who you slept with the night before.
10. Keep in contact after the class is over.
If you had a good experience in the class and established a great relationship with the teacher, stay in contact with that teacher. In the future, you might need a recommendation letter, advice in dealing with college-related issues, or connections to get a job on campus or an internship. About once a semester, check in with your favorite teachers, in person or by e-mail, making sure you stay on their radar. Update them on what you've been doing, and give them ample time to fulfill any of your requests for things like letters of recommendation.
If you make rookie mistakes, don't beat yourself up. After all, college is about learning and living. Just don't make the same mistake twice. And please, don't use the lizard-lost-his-tail excuse. That one has been taken.