If you’re going to ask questions, you need to pay attention. For example, if you ask, “When is that assignment due?” and your teacher has already said the due date once, they will think you’re not listening. Be mindful not to ask so many questions that you derail the class and prevent the teacher from finishing the lesson.
Teachers have busy lives and need time off, just like you. They may have planned to grade all of your class’ papers on Wednesday night. If you turn your paper in on Friday, they will likely be frustrated that they now have to grade your paper over the weekend. If you know that you won’t be able to meet a deadline, talk to your teacher about it in advance. They may be able to grant you an extension.
If a teacher asks for a paper to be a certain length, you can aim to write something a little bit longer than requested, but not much. This shows that you weren’t just stretching to meet the minimum. If you make your paper too long, your teacher may think you’re sucking up or they may not like having to do that much extra reading.
Don’t be afraid to approach your teacher during their free period or at the end of the day. You may need help understanding the subject matter, or knowing how to complete the assignment. You should feel comfortable asking for whatever kind of help you need. Asking help from your parents is a good option, too. They can explain things in another perspective, and will most likely love to help you.
Occasionally it’s okay to correct your teacher. After all, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Many teachers are wary of “know-it-all” students. Not only will acting like a know-it-all jeopardize your relationship with your teacher, it may also annoy your classmates. No one wants a smarty-pants as a friend.
If you’re naturally a goofball or “class clown,” you may need to control yourself some to avoid disrupting class. However, most teachers have a sense of humor and will appreciate some silliness or joking in class. Don’t let your personality distract from class. For example, if you’re a social butterfly, you can wait until the bell rings to hand out the invitations to your party. You don’t need to do that during class.
Sometimes, your teacher might just feel that you have similar personalities. For example, they might be able to identify with the fact that you’re shy, or that you get easily frustrated. If you know your teacher shares an interest with you, you can connect with them over that. For example, if your teacher loves art, you could bring in a review of the latest exhibition at the local art museum to share with them.
If you’re having trouble outside of school (such as at home or at a job) let your teacher know. They might be able to extend deadlines for you or help you talk to a guidance counselor. Be careful not to come across as whiny or complaining. Teachers can tell the difference between a student who is truly struggling and one who simply doesn’t want to do the work.
Show interest in your teacher’s life. You can ask them how their weekend was, or what they have planned for summer vacation. Don’t talk behind a teacher’s back. They will probably find out after a while. Gossiping about the teacher will get you in bigger trouble.
A teacher can tell when a student is genuinely being friendly or just sucking up. Don’t go too far and start acting fake. Just a simple “Good morning!” or “Good evening!” is all it takes to brighten a teacher’s day.
If you’re concerned that your grades are not what you wanted them to be, talk to your teacher about how you can get better grades next time.
You can help your teacher by erasing the board, passing out papers, or bringing something to the office for them. If you arrive to class early, you can always ask if there’s anything you can do to help them prepare for class. You can also make a good impression if you tutor other students who might be struggling in the class. [14] X Expert Source Alicia OglesbyProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
Act calm and respectful when you speak to your teacher. You can say, “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this, but I feel that I’m not being treated fairly in class. ” It’s great to be able to give specific examples so your teacher can see what you’re talking about. You can say, “When Maria made a joke and the class laughed, you laughed too. But when I made a joke and everyone laughed you sent me to the office. I don’t feel like that’s fair. ”
