1. Don’t study the text, lecture material, or additional assigned recommended reading. Reading once or twice the night before the exam “doesn’t cut it.”
2. Don’t observe due dates. Late work, no matter what the excuse, is usually downgraded or not accepted.
3. Urge the instructor to “cut you some slack” or “give you a break.” If he or she did that for someone else and not you, what would your reaction be?
4. Do not attend class. While you may think class is boring, the teacher might just provide some insights that will help you better understand the content of the course.
5. Come to class late. If you really want to get on the wrong side of the instructor, just make this a habit.
6. Play with your cell phone, iPod, or other electronic device in class. Unless you have childcare problems or are a first-responder, these actions tell the instructor that something else is more important than what is being taught.
7. Copy stuff from Wikipedia, a Google search, or someone else’s work without proper citations. Teachers usually can identify
8. Sleep in class. We know that school interferes with your social life, but do not make it so obvious!
9. Try to con. Telling an instructor that this is the last course you need to graduate or transfer when it is not, will not earn you any leniency.
10. Tell the teacher that this class is the only one with which you are struggling and you have “A’s and B’s” in all other classes. Don’t give the impression that your other teachers are too easy.
11. Tell the teacher that you must have a good grade or you will lose your eligibility for sports, scholarship, or grant; or be on academic probation.
12. Don’t really, really try to learn.
