How to Con an Instructor (Revised)

How to Con an Instrustor (Revised)


As you enter college, you'll soon be reminded of the old saying: “The pen is mightier than the
sword.”  The person behind the instructor's desk holds your future in his or her ink-stained hands. 
So your first important assignment in college has nothing to do with the usual course work, but instead how to con an instructor. 

The first step in conning an instructor is to use different types of engaging body language. You want to convince your instructor of your eagerness to learn by actions rather than words alone.  One way you can achieve this is by sitting in the front row.  This way you are in the instructor's line of vision and will be looked upon first before they advance their eyes to the back of the room.  Taking notes during lectures is another effective technique to show interest in the class.   The instructor will physically be able to see your interest in the class. While you are writing, be sure to smile at the instructor's jokes and nod when in agreement with major points.  Most importantly as class continues, be sure to practice great posture.  An example of this is to lean slightly in towards the instructor and your eyes open ready to learn.

Once you have mastered body language, you can now move to the second phase known as class participation.  Students who are eager to learn, show this by being responsive during lectures.  It is always a good idea to review the material before class and formulate a few questions to ask during lectures.  This shows you are prepared for class and you have motivation to actually understand the material.  Even asking the professor to repeat some key parts of the lecture will show them that you are paying attention instead of day dreaming.

The most advanced form of conning an instructor happens after class.  Don’t be like the others who slap their notebooks closed, snatch up their books, and rush out the door before the echoes of the final bell have died away.  Instead of most students who get restless about five minutes before class ends, be reluctant to leave.  Approach the instructor’s desk and ask where you could go to find out more on the topic.  If there is any extra reading you could do, find out where to get the material.  This shows interest in the class and helps you to take a more personal approach which is one of the best ways to show you care. 
      
Body language, questions, after-class discussions are the secrets of conning an instructor that every college student should know.  These kinds of things go on in high school, too, and they’re just as effective on
that level.  Once you master these methods, you won’t have to worry about a thing until the final
exam.