by Tori Morrison

Created on: April 04, 2010

Large college classes can be intimidating. Instead of sitting with 20 or 30 students, you find yourself facing 100 to 500 in just one classroom. Before you panic, take the following tips into consideration. You will find that you can be just as successful in a big college classroom as you would in a small one.

Sit Up Front

Sitting up front is the best way to ensure that you are getting the information absorbed. Instead of hearing people jabber in front of you about the latest gossip, you will be able to focus completely on the professor and what is being taught. Studies have shown that students who sit toward the front of the class perform better on tests and, therefore, get better grades. So, when you arrive to class on your first day, pick a seat in the middle and within the first few rows. Sit in the same place everyday to get your mind in a routine so that you learn more efficiently.

Get to Know Your Professor

Since large college classes don’t provide much time, if any, to talk to the professor, stop by during their office hours and say hello. When you introduce yourself, you are showing your professor that you care and are serious about your education. Even if you don’t need help learning the material, schedule a meeting with them every once in awhile to let them know what career track you have in mind, what you hope to accomplish and what you have found interesting in their class.

If you find yourself having trouble learning in class, scheduling an office visit allows you to have one-on-one time with the professor. Large class sizes mean that the class learns at the same pace. Unfortunately, students learn on all different levels, and can easily fall behind if they don’t seek help. Don’t be afraid to send an email to your professor and ask for some assistance. You will find that they want to see you succeed!

Get to Know the People Around You

The advantage of large class sizes is that there are plenty of people to make friends with. Introduce yourself to the people who sit around you and ask if they would like to have a study group sometime. These contacts also come in handy if you ever find yourself sick and unable to make class. Additionally, these students can assist you in the learning process so that you can learn the material from multiple points-of-view.

Avoid Distractions

The large amount of people around you is enough of a distraction. Adding a computer to the mix may only make things worse for you. It is so tempting to

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