Regardless of what college you attend or what major you are, majority of students will eventually be forced to take a class in a large lecture hall. College classes are difficult enough as is, but feeling like you are just another face in the sea of students can be overwhelmingly intimidating.
Here are some tips you can use to make sure your professor knows who you are:
1. Sit in the first row of the classroom.
Even though this may seem like a “teacher’s pet” move, it can help your professor put a face to your name. Also, sitting in the front of the classroom will make you pay attention and more alert of what is going on. Sitting in the back can make you more likely to goof off and pull out your phone and inhibit effective listening.
2. Go to your professor’s office hours.
This is another opportunity for you to stand out amongst your fellow students. For the most part, professors want to get to know you and this gives them the opportunity to speak to you on a more personal level. Most professors are mandated to have office hours, having you come to them fills their time productively and shows them that you are as passionate about the material as they are. Visiting office hours is especially effective after receiving an assignment to show that you are getting ahead on your work and then they can more effectively explain what they are looking for.
3. Participate as often as possible.
Participation usually counts for five to ten percent of your grade which may seem like a small portion but it also creates an everyday impact on your professor. Not everyone likes to speak in class but it is one of the most effective ways to get your voice heard and prove you are following the material. Participation can also count in Blackboard discussions so put your full effort even in the smallest assignments, better to try too hard than not enough.
4. Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities.
Even if you are doing well in the class it does not hurt to exert the extra effort. Professors usually attend extra credit events or look forward to students’ feedback on extra credit assignments. If you go above and beyond to show you are trying and care about the class material, your professor will remember and could use those extra points to either better an old grade or curve up your final grade.
5. Take charge of leadership opportunities.
If your professor favors group discussions or projects use it to your advantage. Be the person who records what your peers are saying and then speaks them aloud to the class. If your group needs a leader step up to the plate, this gives you an opportunity to work one-on-one with the professor and showcase your abilities and strengths.