College Student Success

1. College Student Success Based on advice of 35 Orientation Leaders 2008

2. Respectful Classroom Behavior • Be on time • No cell phones. For any reason. • Participate in class – answer questions and ask questions • Ask RELEVANT questions • Don’t be the student who asks a question every minute – let other people talk • No rude, disrespectful behavior • Bring books, notebooks, pen, and pencil to class • Read and prepare for class

3. Disrespectful Behaviors • Texting • Talking (side-bar conversations) • Clicking the pen • Falling asleep in general (specifically in the first row!) • Arriving when there’s 15 minutes left • Arriving late and then asking questions that were already covered when you weren’t there • Talking over the teacher – RAISE YOUR HAND! • Answering your phone when in class • Frequent trips to the bathroom and/or out of the room • Eating in class, especially loud foods • Opening snacks during class

4. Being Successful • Keep your syllabus the ENTIRE semester • Make a friend in class • Sit in the “T” zone (first two rows, desks in center of room) • Get to know your professors • Go to professors’ office hours • Bring your planner and manage your time (write key dates in your calendar) • Dress up the first day (no pajamas, no hats, take off your sunglasses) • Be cautious about what you say (you don’t know others’ experiences) • Be open-minded • Arrive early for a test

5. Talk to the Professor • Take notes or print out the notes ahead of time (if you’re using your laptop to take notes, ask the professor ahead of time) • If you’re using a recording device, ask the professor first • Tell professors about your disabilities AHEAD OF TIME • If you must leave early, tell professor before class

6. What I Wish I Had Known • You may be in a lecture hall – expect many students • Get familiar with the syllabus • Know where you are going ahead of time (find the actual classrooms) • Different professors have different teaching styles • Know your own academic strengths and weaknesses • Read the books! • If you’re not a morning person, avoid morning classes • Use the add/drop week if necessary • Know where your advisor is • Know where the Library / Information Commons is • Diversify your class load • You can take a class pass/fail starting in the second semester

7. HOMEWORK • Take the ANGEL demo course: https://angel.buffalostate.edu/frames.aspx • On the left side of the page, under Public Information, click Student Demo Course • Click the Lessons tab to begin • Note: Regular ANGEL access to a class requires your username and password, but the demo course does not

8. Some Truths About College • Unlike high school, nobody will be monitoring your studying and preparation • Teachers and parents won’t be looking over your shoulder and reminding you about your homework • There is much less structure • There is much more freedom, but also more temptation • You must be self-disciplined • Different professors are VERY different and have different expectations. An important skill of the college student is to figure out what your professor is expecting from you.