Sit in the front row of your life
Some of the best advice I ever received was to sit in the front row of large lectures. Doing so has countless advantages, and I think it is a great way to stay interested in lecture material and even boost your grades. The upgrade to the front row is, in addition to being a change in your physical location, a change in your mental state.
Some of the benefits of this easy change include:
- It is easier to pay attention You will be less likely to fall asleep, chat with your friend, or do the crossword in your school paper if you are right in front of the professor. Consequently, you will take more complete notes and more fully understand the lecture.
- Better comprehension If you are in the front row of your lecture hall, it will be easier to understand your professor and the lecture material. It will likely be easier to hear. Perhaps more importantly, you can pick up on body language and changes in inflection that are lost on the best row. These subtle clues can be excellent indicators of what is important - and what will be on the test.
- More personal Being in the front row helps you feel like you are in a more intimate setting with the professor. He or she may even start to recognize you, making it easier to head to office hours for extra help or feel comfortable asking a question after lecture.
- Better grades Combining all the above benefits, you can easily see how your GPA will be benefited by sitting in the front way. What an easy way to boost your grades!
Reflecting on the benefits of sitting in the front row, I’ve realized that this attitude of putting yourself in a position to succeed works for not only class, but for life in general.
Those of you who choose the front row are choosing more than just your seat. You are choosing to take control of your surroundings, place yourself in a position succeed, and ignore conventional attitudes.
As you see results from doing this in class, I encourage you to use this attitude in other situations. Being proactive and tenacious is terribly important in a university setting. There are lots of other students, and having something important to say just isn’t enough. You need to make yourself heard.
Sitting in the front row of your life means taking every opportunity available to you in order to succeed. Once again, the change is partially mental. Be observant of your surroundings, and when you see a place where you could be better taking advantage of a situation - do it!
There are many ways to sit in the front row of your life. Become more involved with a student organization, or apply for a position you feel you deserve. Make yourself more productive. Attend campus rallies, speakers, and cultural events. Put yoursef in places where you can meet more people. Take social risks by talking to new people!
Extract every opportunity from your college years, or you will regret it later.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
I used to sit in the back of the classroom, but once I started taking classes I wanted to take and was actively interested in, I found myself closer to the front, if not in the front.
I’ve noticed the same is true in life. When I’m actively interested in what I’m doing, then I drive with force. However, when I lack interest then I tend to take a view from the back seat.
My challenge will be to sit in the front seat, regardless of interest.