How to Stand Out in a Large Lecture-Style Class

By Lorena Roberts on February 2, 2018

One of the biggest worries new college students have is being “only a number.” They wonder how to stand out in a large lecture-style classroom. It’s starkly different from high school classrooms — where your teachers knew your legal name, your nickname, and how many points you scored in Friday night’s big matchup against your school’s biggest rival. Going to college means a lot of life changes are on the way, including learning how to interact with professors. Standing out in a crowd of college students doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. If you need pointers on how to stand out this semester, here they are:

dress to impress, teacher, professor, college, dressed up

via pexels.com

1. Dress to impress.

You know that saying about dressing like you want your boss’s job? It’s a similar thought process for those of us in large lecture-style classes who want to stand out and make our professors remember us. Showing up to class in sweatpants and a t-shirt is probably half the reason you sit in the last row (more on that later). If you want to stand out against three hundred other college students, get up fifteen minutes earlier and do something nice with your hair. Try to wear something to class that’s both comfortable and classy. I’m not suggesting you wear a full suit every day. But barely remembering to put on your deodorant puts you at the same level as your classmates. Your professor won’t even notice you, much less remember your name. And when it comes to the end of the semester, when final grades are due, you’re going to want them to remember your name.

2. Raise your hand.

What I’m not suggesting is for you to participate in the lecture so much that you take away from your classmates’ education. We’ve all been in that kind of class– you’re annoyed you even showed up because the front row kid can’t shut their trap and you’re getting nothing accomplished.

Raising your hand in class to participate in the conversation can be completely worthwhile when you do it appropriately. When your professor asks the entire class a question, answer it! Show you’re not only paying attention and taking notes, but that you’re also engaging in the material.

3. Show up to class.

It’s hard to stand out in a crowd if you aren’t there. Grades reflect attendance, which is why many college courses require you to be there. The first step to making sure your professor knows who you are is attending class in the first place.

4. Introduce yourself.

The first day of class is a good opportunity for you to make a personal contact with your professor. Don’t feel intimidated about telling them your name and that you’re excited about their course. They’ll probably be more than happy to chat with you for a minute. But don’t make this the last time you talk with them one on one. Make it a point to mention specific class sessions you particularly enjoyed to your professor when class is over. Students who can engage with their professors on a regular basis will be remembered by the end of the semester.

5. Do every assignment (including the extra credit).

Even if you have a 99% in the class, completing extra credit assignments will help you stand out to your professor. They’ll actively realize that you’re taking every opportunity to engage with your education. You’re seizing the opportunities given to you and you’re hungry for knowledge. This is what professors want every student’s mentality to be. You’ll strike a chord with them if you put forth every ounce of effort in your being.

via Pexels.com

6. Sit in the front of the room.

Consistently sitting towards the front of the lecture hall will give your professor ample opportunities to see your face. They’re more likely to recognize you in their office hours (more on that later) and around campus in general. It’s overwhelming to be a professor to over 300 college students. But the ones who make it a point to sit in the front, take notes, and participate are the ones a professor is most likely to remember.

7. Go to office hours.

It’s almost funny to professors when they announce their office hours on syllabus day. They know the likelihood of a student coming to their office hours is astronomically small. But, why? Well. Most students will tell you that office hours are intimidating. Being one on one with a professor is “scary.” Other students will tell you they “don’t have time.” With 15 credit hours of courses, I know your schedule can seem overwhelming. At least make an effort to attend office hours once. 

*If you can’t attend the office hours your professor has set for the semester, email them and ask what another convenient time is for them to meet you. My guess is they’ll be more than willing to set something up with you.

8. Ask meaningful questions.

Inserting meaningful questions into your papers or on your test is a good way for the professor to gauge your interest and participation in the class. When you have to grade hundreds of papers, you’ll be looking for the ones that are written on a much higher level than anyone else. You’ll be able to tell who put the most effort/thought into their paper. Your professor will definitely remember your name if they can learn something from you. Take risks when you write that paper. You aren’t in high school anymore. You’re in the perfect place to challenge ideas and dig deeper into topics you most enjoy.

These eight tips will help you stand out in a crowd — especially to your professor. Pay attention to what you show up to class wearing, sit in the front of the room, actively engage with your professor and with the class by asking questions, and go to office hours. It’ll be hard to not remember your name by the end of the semester. Best of luck!

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