by Robert Freeman

Created on: October 06, 2010

There are many reasons one makes the decision to attend college and almost always one of those reasons is to receive an education in a desired; or on occasion undesired; field. Every university or community college student must reach a minimum level of academic success in order to continue to be a part of the respective institution but for some students, hitting the minimum just doesn’t cut it.

For these individuals excelling in their academic life is one of; if not the most; important aspect of their college experience but sadly some who try to excel fall short. Not everyone in college will be an academic-decathlon member, but every student desiring to have a strong academic life can follow a few simple guidelines to excel in the classroom.

Attending Class
The basic element for academic success lies in the classroom; it is where knowledge is funneled to the student through instruction, lecture, class projects, lab assignments, and student interaction. If a student doesn’t even bother to attend scheduled classes then they have already started off on the wrong foot. Simply put, the first step towards academic success in college is to actually attend your classes!

Staying Alert in Class
Another key ingredient in one’s goal of academic excellence is to actually be alert while in the classroom. Being present in the classroom is only half the battle; the other half is being cognitively and physically available to inject the information being presented to you. Making sure you get enough sleep, eating well, and have the carefully maintained balance of caffeine (if you are a coffee drinker) in your system will make sure you are alert in the classroom and ready to absorb all you can.

Keeping your cell phone off while in class and limiting all other distractions will help to ensure that you will be as alert as you possibly can. Also take into consideration the temperature of the classroom you will be sitting in for an extended period of time. Wearing the proper clothing can make sure you are not too cold or too warm as these situations can lead to lack of concentration on the information and more on your condition.

Ask Questions and Take Notes
Have you ever been in a classroom where the “nerd” constantly asks questions and is typing away at his or her laptop every minute of the hour? Most likely you have, and more often than not you chuckle at this individual and are happy that you don’t carry the label of “class geek.” Sadly,

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