Specifically…

What does being active in class actually mean?

To be active in class might mean different things for different people. For me (after I learned better) it was sitting in front and participating occasionally in the class discussion. I found that I was most active when I expressed my opinion about what we were studying in the class, asking questions or making comments about points that were bothering me. I got much more out of the class and was able to follow the lecture when I participated—and I did not “zone out” as I did when I sat in the back and played the cool renegade. Participation helps too with thoroughness, avoiding procrastination, and overall motivation.

Here’s an important point: this type of “being active” should not mean “be a gunner.” A gunner is a person who talks excessively, who spouts opinion after opinion, and who is an all-around unpleasant addition to (or should I say subtraction from) the class. It doesn’t take many class sessions before everyone knows—and avoids—the gunners. Even if you like to talk, do not be a gunner. Pace yourself. Comment only when you truly have something important to say—which shouldn’t be that often, really. You’re there to learn, not to teach…and especially not to preach.

This is a spectrum, of course, so be careful. If you are shy, give yourself a challenge: talk a little. If you love to talk, give yourself a challenge: try not to talk so much in class—save it for outside bull sessions with the appropriate group. Remember, too, that gunners aren’t getting an “A” simply by talking and talking and talking. Talk is cheap in college; an “A” is not. Even professors get annoyed by gunning and obvious brown-nosing, so don’t think that you’ll get automatic points just ’cause.

I had a classmate who took the whole “class participation” thing way too seriously. He made comments about everything to the point where the rest of us were absolutely sick of hearing his voice. Even our professors got noticeably tired of his constant remarks and opinions. And, even though he annoyed us to no end, sometimes he made good comments and had some fairly interesting insights. I found myself jotting down things he said because they made sense. Sometimes those notes helped, but more often they were a source of confusion—primarily because after a few weeks I forgot who’d said whatever it was that I had written down. I didn’t know whether the comment was from the professor or from another student. If it was from the professor, then I needed to remember it; otherwise, no way. So, the rule of thumb should be to pay attention to your professor. Listen to the lectures and to responses in discussions, and take note of only what the professor says.

Professors will emphasize what they think is important, so do not be worried about missing a comment from a classmate. One professor would listen to comments and then politely move on with the lecture. She would answer questions, but mainly stuck to her plan. This was a nice way of her saying, “You need to understand what I am saying. I don’t mind good discussion, but don’t mistake that for what I’m discussing.”

Remember during these class discussions that it is your professor giving the exams, and so it is what your professor thinks is important that is important. And, it is the professor who has studied in this field for years, perhaps decades. Consequently, that’s the person you need to pay attention to.