How to Study

Watch for Nonverbal Clues
Studies have shown that only a fraction of communication is
conveyed in words alone. A great deal of the message we receive
when someone is speaking to us comes from body language, facial
expression, and tone of voice.
Most instructors will go off on tangents of varying relevance to the
subject matter. Some of these will be important, but, at least during
your first few lessons with that particular teacher, you won’t know
which.
Body language can be your clue. If the teacher begins looking out the
window or his eyes glaze over, he’s sending a clear signal: “This won’t
be on any test.”
On the other hand, if he turns to write something down on the 
blackboard, makes eye contact with several students, and/or gestures
dramatically, he’s sending an equally obvious signal about the impor-
tance of the point he’s making.
Teachers like to see students take notes. It shows you are interested
in the topic and that you think enough of what is being said to write
it down. (And, if you’ve ever stood at the front of the room, you can
usually tell who’s taking notes and who’s writing a letter to a friend 
in Iowa.)
Chapter 5
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How to Excel in Class
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Ask Questions
No, don’t raise your hand to ask or answer a question every 90 seconds.
Being an active listener means asking yourself if you understand every-
thing that has been discussed. If the answer is no, ask the instructor
questions at an appropriate time or write down questions that you
must have answered to fully understand the subject.
Challenge yourself to draw conclusions from the things the instructor
is saying. Don’t just sit there letting your hand take notes. Let your
mind do something, too. Think about the subject matter—how it
relates to what you’ve been assigned to read and other facts to which
you’ve been exposed.