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Step 1
Sit near the front of the class. In classes without circular seating, sit to the right or left of the professor.
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Step 2
Sit in the same seat every day.
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Step 3
Make sure the professor knows your name.
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Step 4
Join in class discussions. Make your first statements about something you are sure about while the other students are floundering.
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Step 5
Don't criticize the professor's opinion in front of the class.
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Step 6
Don't ever attempt to appear smarter then the professor.
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Step 7
If you are in a humanities class, a tiny amount of independent research on the book or subject at hand will make you seem very smart.
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Step 8
Even if you didn't do the reading, never admit it out loud.
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Step 9
Emergency technique:
If you really didn't do the reading and are expected to answer a question you know nothing about, open up a random page, read from it and tie it to the conversation. -
Step 10
The professor won't always mind because for one, you aren't saying, "I didn't do the reading" and two, you are showing that you can think on your feet.
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Step 11
Take notes every day when the professor lectures. It doesn't matter if you never read them.
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Step 12
Work hard on your papers. Prove that you can write in your first paper. Nail a solid A with a traditional format.
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Step 13
Study hard for your tests. Write coherent responses to essay questions in good handwriting.
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Step 14
Put yourself in the mindset of the professor. What if you devoted your life to teaching the subject you are learning about? How would you expect a great student to act in your class?
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Step 15
If you do all these things, the teacher will likely think you are one of the best students in class.
