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Five Ways for Students to Get On a Teacher's Good Side
  • Calendar Apr 06, 2018
  • User Jared Wells
  • Category In Uncategorized
  • Comments 0 Comments
...and as a side effect, you might actually do better! Working with struggling students for many years, a common thread that I see is that the students tend to have relationships with their teacher that, well, could use some work. Fortunately, there are things that your son or daughter can do to work on those relationships! 1) Speak up in class, every single day. Whether it's to give the answer to a question that you asked, or to ask a question, being actively engaged in a class shows that the student is putting at least a modicum of effort in. Not to mention that NOT asking a question that you are confused by is just going to make it more difficult to understand what comes next. Look at it from the teacher's perspective. It's not very rewarding to see a bunch of bored faces staring blankly at you as you discuss something that you care deeply about, is it? So participate! 2) Go to office hours regularly. Many teachers make time available before school, after school, or during lunch or prep periods to meet with students. For a class you want to improve in, schedule a time, at least weekly, to see your teacher. Come with any questions you have (if you don't have questions, but are struggling with a class, that might be something to discuss too!). Ask your teacher for advice on how to improve your grade. 3) Take advantage of every opportunity your teacher gives to get extra credit. Test retakes, extra credit projects, anything. This is another way to show the teacher you are doing your part. It is hard for a teacher to have sympathy with a student who has missed multiple opportunities to improve their grade. 4) Do quality work neatly and on time. For some people, this is the reason they are struggling with the class, which is reason enough to get help. But besides that, what does being late say to someone. It says, "Your deadlines/timelines are not important enough to me." Whether that is the message the student intends to communicate doesn't matter. It's the message that a student might hear. Whereas a student who is struggling with tests, but is clearly doing their best to get their work done is more likely to receive sympathy from a teacher. The quality of your work is a way you show how seriously you take the class. 5) Be respectful. I know that when you feel like someone is being difficult, it can be tough to show respect. Trust me: I've worked in customer service for 15 years now ;) That said, it doesn't cost anything to be nice (other than pride, perhaps) and the rewards can be enormous. Make it a personal challenge to kill your teachers with kindness! By the way, doing these things just might lead to better grades irrespective of your relationship with your teacher! What other things have worked for your son or daughter? You've still got two days to sign up for the workshop I'm putting on at La Jolla High School this Wednesday from 12:30-2:30! It's called "Second Semester Resolutions" and it's going to be about how to build, and keep, the habits your son or daughter need to have an improved second semester!   Want to make sure your child starts second semester off on the right foot? Give us a call to schedule an in-person or phone consultation!  
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