by Brandon Michael Davis

Created on: March 15, 2008   Last Updated: September 20, 2011

Getting the most from your college professors is wise, profitable, and relatively simple.

Listen Interactively in Class

This shouldn’t have to be said, but the best way to get the most from your college professors is to listen interactively in class—which requires you to be in class. Your school or class attendance policy may not require much classroom attendance, but if you want to get the most from college, go to class.

Listening interactively in the classroom setting typically entails two main types of listening: comprehensive listening and critical listening.

Comprehensive listening means listening to understand—listening for facts and dates and information. And while these facts and figures may help you do well on tests, comprehensive listening is less important than critical listening.

Critical listening means listening to evaluate—examining what is being taught in terms of how it fits with what you’ve already learned and why it is important. Critical listening also involves questioning what is being said, investigating its veracity, filtering out bias, and searching for applications.

But listening interactively isn’t just listening. Interacting with what you are being taught involves taking effective notes and asking pertinent questions. By taking notes effectively you will be able to better retain what you learn and easily review for exams. And when you don’t understand something being discussed, if you need something repeated, or if you want more information, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Establish One-on-One Contact

While most of the interaction you’ll have with your professors will be in the classroom, you should also avail yourself of them outside of class as well.

Sometimes when you ask questions, the professor can’t devote class time to an answer. Speak with your professors before and after class, and when necessary, visit your professors during office hours. Also, don’t forget you can email your professors with questions.

No matter how you do it, establishing one-on-one contact with your professor will benefit you in many ways. First, by taking the time to ask questions, you’ll be able to get a more thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Second, even if your questions go beyond what you’re expected to learn for the class, by asking you’ll learn about what your professor expects you to know and may even get insights into what will be on exams. And beyond that, there is nothing wrong with knowing more about a subject than your college coursework demands.

Third, by taking the time to ask your professor questions outside of class, you’ll begin to develop a relationship with your professor that could evolve into a valuable mentorship.

Summary

Getting the most from your professors seems like an obvious endeavor, but many students fail to see that it is one of the easiest and most rewarding aspects of college.

If you attend class regularly, listen comprehensively and critically, take effective notes, and ask questions, you’ll be well on your way to getting the most from your professors. But don’t forget to interact with your professors on an individual basis—for by taking the time to develop relationships with them, you’ll be able to glean the most from them.

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