How Am I Doing? Ask, Just Ask

By now the daily grind of this term on Planet College has settled into - OK, yes, a daily grind.  The daily aspect for your college career as a grind has one advantage. It is regular and reliable; class, work, friends, party, class, work and so on.  The reliability of this can lead to a kind of sleepwalk and this sleepwalk may produce regrettable results.

In order to assure that you are working toward, even sleepwalking, toward graduation it is important to occasionally get a fix on your real progress. The best source, immediate source, of your real progress is your instructor for any class but in particular a class which is unusually challenging.

To make this determination find a time when the instructor is free. Clearly, just before or just after class session is workable.  At this time, approach her and ask if she has time to talk.  If she says, 'Yes." then identify yourself and the section of her courses you are enrolled in.  Tell her you are checking on your progress in her course and you would like to know if you are up to date or if there are any assignments due. She may take a moment to check or she may say, "I'll let you know.'  What ever she says pay careful attention.

Then do it. Follow through on exactly what she says.

This contact has two advantages.  First, you get first hand knowledge of your real status in a class which may be more difficult and require more attention than you have been providing.  Second, and this is a significant point, you have established yourself in the mind of the instructor as a student who cares about this course and their progress.  Instructors often view favorably students who have demonstrated care about their course.  Come grading time this can be a distinction which works to your advantage.

Right now, go find out how you're doing.