Ok, I confess. Even I have been there. You're sitting in the back row of your seven am English Lit class in a bulky sweater with your hair swept back into a ponytail and hidden under a baseball cap. As you tug on your hat, hoping to avoid your professor's glaring eyes; you do your best to scan the textbook pages open in front of you as your heart races in anticipation. For some people, being called on in class is nothing short of a scene straight out of their nightmares, but what's worse is being called on when you don't know the answer.

So, how do you avoid this dreadful situation? Well, preparing for class is always a good idea. Keep the following suggestions in mind when you are preparing for your classes.

First and foremost, be sure that you have done the homework and any other necessary assignments. In many courses, attendance is not mandatory, but even if you're not in class every day, reading the textbook can really help you understand many of the concepts being discussed in class. Completing reading assignments before your class will often help you outshine your classmates. If you've already done the reading, it's easy to have an answer on hand if your teacher calls on you in order to "engage you" in the discussion.

In addition, you'll want to make sure that you review any past lecture notes. Many times, professors will build their lectures off of previous lectures. Reviewing your notes before class will refresh your memory about the key concepts your professor discussed in his or her previous classes. If any questions are posed, you'll be ready!

Although being prepared to answer any potential questions from your professor might certainly reduce your anxiety, preparing for class also involves ensure that you are ready to actually engage yourself in the lecture by actively taking notes during your class. In order to take notes, you need to be prepared, so before you head to class, make sure you have all the necessary materials, including writing utensils, notebooks, and textbooks that may be required.

Overall, preparing for a class might take a little planning and a lot of effort on your part, but your results will be well worth it. Preparing for a class can certainly help get you that A!

Learn more about this author, Krystle Hernandez.
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