Chapter 7 Interacting with Instructors and Classes

Where Are You Now? Assess your present knowledge and attitudes

Often Sometimes Seldom

1. I talk with my college instructors outside of class X
2. I participate in class discussions, ask questions in class, and volunteer to X
answer questions posed by my instructors.
3. I go to all my classes except when prevented by illness or an X
emergency.
4. I prepare for classes and make an active effort to pay attention and get X
the most from class lectures.
5. In lecture classes, I read other materials, check for phone messages or X
email, and talk with friends.
6. I don’t sign up for classes when I hear other students say the instructor X
is boring or difficult.
7. I talk to my instructors in their offices only if I have a problem with a X
specific assignment.
8. I write effective, professional e-mails to my instructors when X
appropriate.
9. I am comfortable giving presentations in class and know how to X
prepare successfully.
Seldom10. When assigned to work with a group to give a presentation, I X
take the lead

Where Do You Want to Go?

Think about how you answered the questions above. Be honest with yourself. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you
rate your interactions with your instructors and other students at this time?

Not very effective Very successful

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

In the following list, circle the three most important areas in which you think you can improve:

• Attending classes
• Networking and studying with other students
• Going to classes fully prepared
• Interacting with instructors through e-mail and telephone calls
• Paying attention in lecture classes
• Resolving a problem with an instructor
• Asking questions in class
• Interacting with the instructor and students in an online course
• Answering questions in class
• Giving presentations in front of the class
• Participating in class discussions
• Creating and using visual aids in a presentation
• Speaking with instructors outside of class
• Working with a student group to give a presentation
 Are there other areas also in which you can improve how you interact with instructors and other
students to get the most out of your college education? Write down other things you feel you need to
work on.

I Feel like I do need to communicate with my instructors more. Or any difficulties I may have for their
class simply just ask questions. Another is, answering and participating on class discussions, just being
more involved overall.

C H E C K P OI N T E XE R C I S E S
1. Why is it more important to interact with your instructors in college than it was in high school?
We are responsible in completing all assignments and for those who do not ask or seek help will not
be able to graduate. College is very different to high school in away that nothing is free handed, we
work for our success.

2. Give an example of something important you may miss in a class from which you are absent— even if
you read a friend’s notes.

Information that may be on a test and something I may not understand, I would be unable to ask
questions on the spot.

2. List at least three potential benefits of forming a network with other students.

1, In the event I will need to miss a class, they can make notes for me and have them explain what I
don’t understand. 2, Schedule study sessions for exams. 3, Connect to someone in the course I have
trouble with and have them become my mentor.

3. What can you do as a student to be more engaged during a lecture if you are finding it boring?

Motivate myself to pay more attention in class, make notes of interesting or main facts. Why stop and
do nothing when I made it this far.

CHAPTER REVIEW
1. List as many benefits of participating in class as you can think of.
• Asking questions on the subject I don’t understand
• Actively become engaged to learning

2. Consider the instructors in your current classes. Which instruction have you spoken with the
least (in or outside of class)?
My English instructor, she has helped me a lot on questions I did not understood.
3. Why are you hesitant? When you have a question for this instructor about an assignment or reading,
which form of communication would be most appropriate?
I personally prefer seeking for help in person, face to face. But if its not possible due to schedule, I would
ask via email.

4. List ways to be prepared if you have a question to ask in a large lecture class.
Sit in front of the classroom. Review notes and become prepared with real questions to ask and not to
impress someone.

5. Think ahead through to the end of your college experience. If you were to develop a mentoring
relationship with one of your present instructors, what sorts of things might you talk about in the future
with that instructor after the current class has ended?
I would ask questions on subject I did not understood or need more clarification.

6. Review the six stages for preparing and giving a class presentation? Which stage(s) do you feel you
personally need to pay special attention to next time you are assigned a presentation?
Preparing speaking notes. Because I may have everything in place but what will I say on the
presentation. For example, is it clear for the audience to understand what I’m saying?

MAKE AN ACTION LIST

Attending Class

I sometimes don’t go to class because

I always try my best to go to class, in the event I may have to miss would be for the reasons: work
related, health illness or an emergency.

I’ll keep myself motivated to go to every class by

Thinking to myself I do not want to fail, I want to be an example for my youngest siblings and make my
family proud.

Participating in Class

I tend to participate most in this class:

When something catches my attention or a subject that becomes relevant to me.

I need to make an effort to participate more in this class:

To become more engaged in my learning and be able to ask questions on areas of difficulty.

I need to participate more because

In that way I can ask questions some areas of problem.
Attending Lecture Classes
I tend to these non-productive things if I feel bored in a lecture:
I would check on my phone or just day dream.

I will work on staying more actively engaged in lectures in these ways:

By making notes and keeping myself busy and at end of lecture review issues

Using Email As Communication

The following are my worst e-mail habits:

Using jargoned terms and profane language

I will follow these professional e-mail practices:

Use proper introduction and keep conversation professional.

Speaking Publicly

I am nervous about giving class presentations because

I tend to get nervous and anxiety almost at the same time.

I realize the best way to overcome my anxiety about public speaking and succeed in class presentations
is to
Prepare my speech beforehand and sound confident.