Be sure you talk with your professor and ask any questions you want. When we pay for our classes we also pay for the professors so take advantage of them! They've learned everything you're learning so ask them questions.

Most colleges provide online communication tools to communicate with professors during the college evaluation stage, allowing students to question them on a particular subject or course outline.

If these tools are not evident - contact the student admissions office and ask for the email or phone details for the professors of your chosen course.

Communication is Two Way

Stephen Covey teaches one to "seek to understand, before you expect to be understood". Communication is a two-way event, so take the time to understand your professor and allow them to understand you before you make any judgements. Build a communication bridge by:

Show Committment and Enthusiasm - Go to class the first day. Many students make the mistake of missing the first class because they think it's a waste of time. But it is a mistake that will cause many problems throughout the semester. When you miss the first day of class, not only do you miss pertinent information, but you also create a first bad impression.
Study Your Professor - Before you go to class, find out what books or articles the professor has written. Buy a copy of their latest book, or borrow it from the library and take it to class with you on the first day. If there are no books, find an article by the professor and read it. This will impress the professor and will show that you have an interest in the material and the professor's work.
Introduce yourself - to your professor on the first day and make a comment about their book or article. Just because you're familiar with your name do not assume that the professor will know and remember it. It's your job to make yourself stand out from the rest of the class, and the first way to do that is to get the professor to associate your face with your name.
Get to Know Them - Ask your professor how he or she became interested in the subject matter of the class. Asking this simple question will do more for you than you will ever imagine. It will make you stand out from everyone else, and it will help that professor remember you. Ultimately it could work to your advantage in receiving a better grade. Don't underestimate the power of this question.
Communicate 1:1 - Help your professor understand you. Schedule a personal appointment with your professor during the first two weeks of school. Most students wait until there is a crisis in their lives to schedule an appointment with the professor. Take the initiative and meet with the professor before a crisis. It helps create credibility and ground the relationship between you and the professor. During the appointment let the professor know of your interest in the subject, and ask what you can do to receive a top grade from the class.

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