DO’S

1. Take handwritten notes. Making the effort to write your notes helps you remember them better than just typing on your laptop. And you can doodle.

2. Sit in the front of the room. This will help you stay focused and it’s easier to get the professor’s attention when you have a question. Besides, the closer you are to the professor, the less likely you are to fall asleep.

3. Meet the professor. It’s easy to be anonymous in a large lecture class but it’s beneficial to let your professor know who you are. Take the time to ask a question after class or just introduce yourself. Then he or she is more likely to go the extra mile for you later in the semester when you need help.

4. Drink water. Take a bottle of water to class. It’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re out and about on campus all day. Staying hydrated will help you stay focused in class and you won’t be the annoying kid with the loud cough during a lecture.

DON’TS

1. Don’t take your laptop. Typing notes on your laptop usually turns into checking Facebook or Twitter during class. Besides, the people sitting behind you don’t need to see your ex’s relationship status.

2. Don’t fall asleep. Just don’t be that kid.

3. Don’t whisper talk. Lecture halls are usually designed to carry sound which means just about everyone else in class can hear what you did at that party last weekend.

4. Don’t walk in late. It’s very obvious when someone walks in late, especially in a lecture hall. The door slams and the footsteps echo. Just know that everyone else is watching you until you sit down.