Just a few random questions about school and stuff.

[AutumnDae]

This year I will be having at least 1 teacher I don't like very much. I know I am going to have some trouble, it's geometry, so everyone get ready for me to be asking a bunch of questions. My dad tries to explain the stuff to me, and I give him blank looks. I haven't ever had the teacher before, but according to people, he's the type of teacher that you either like and can get help from or absolutely despise. I am hoping I like him, and can help me when I need it. But if not, how should I deal with him? How do you deal with teachers that you aren't fond of. When I don't like teachers I have a tendency to tune them out, and then read the textbook to see what the lesson was about. It has worked for me in the past, but I'm not so sure it will now.

The other one I don't really mind, but I have trouble paying attention to. I had him for Accelerated Science in 7th grade. There were only 10 people in the class, 9 for the second half of the year. He was a good teacher, but I couldn't understand him some of the time. I feel comfortable enough asking for extra help. It's a good thing he already likes me too, I was one of the only people who was quiet during class.

I have been in a math class with only 5 people in it for the past 2 years. I am now going into one with probably around 20-24 people. I think it may be a problem. I am used to getting extra attention and the teacher always knew when to help and stuff. The teacher also went to school with my mom, so she liked me. Now that I am going into a new class, how should I deal with more people? I am afraid that I might decline because I won't be able to get the attention that I am used to. Should I plan on going in for extra help?

This is going to sound really stupid, but. How do you study? I have never had to study before. The only thing I have ever studied was vocab for English, and we made flash cards in class so I went over them right before the test. Other than that, nothing. I sit down to study and I stare at the materials. I can't seem to focus on stuff. Maybe I get distracted. I usually tried to study on my bed, or in the kitchen. This will be changing soon, as I am moving a new desk into my room and plan on having it strictly school stuff. I really want to start doing REALLY well in school. I want to be valedictorian, for the obvious that it's cool to be able to say you were, but also I want a scholarship. So, how do you study? Highlight stuff? Read the chapter over and over until you get it? I'm having no ideas right now.

Any help would be great, I want to figure it all out before school starts. It's still over a month away, but better earlier than later, right?

[Yasmine]

i think you should see how you do with the teacher the first couple weeks. if you can't deal with him, maybe you should see if you could change teachers. i don't know how to study either. that's why i never do. i just take the test, and hope for the best. i'm not good at math. i had to do algebra A and B, but i was bad at both of them, so next year i'm taking fundamentals of math, because my guidance counselour knows i'm a failure at life.

[The Batman]

Teachers only act how the students make them act. I came from being this teacher's least favorite student to being one of his best all because I changed my attitude towards him. Just be nice, ask questions, and show some respect and the teacher will show you some in return.

[Gumleaf]

at my school different teachers have different reps and stuff, but i always went to my first class with them with an open mind, and most of the time they were fine as long as you treat them properly and do your work and stuff. if they are a good teacher, if they see you putting in the effort, they won't mind giving you extra help. i have a teacher now who is like that. i absolutely stink at english, but he sees that i try, despite my poor grades in that class and helps me. so if you do good by the, they will do good by you.

in your maths class you may be in a larger group, but even so you should still get a good bit of attention if you ask for it. most of my classes have about 25 people in it and all those who want attention, get it. the reason why is that when you take out the ones who don't care and don't want to be there, there only ends up being a few left who want the attention from the teacher and end up getting it.

i have 2 ways of studying. the first is to read notes and text books over and over to the point of either it sinking in or total maddness. some of my teachers give us practice exam papers and that helps me a lot too. you just need to figure out what works best for you for studying and find the best way for all the information to sink in. some of my friends write a lot of study notes and learn it all by writing, others by reading and people like me by doing practice exam papers.

[byee]

(Then there's Autumn, who I haven't spoken to in a while, but am immediately reminded of how bright and mature she is by this post)

Hiya Autumn!

You know, anyone who stops and thinks about this stuff, and shows the awareness of the importance of overcoming some potential issues, is going to do just fine. The ability to anticilpate potential problems, to maybe recognize them before they get out of hand, will also muster the resources to resolve them should they occur. I think you should relax and just enjoy the rest of your summer.

What others say about any particular teacher is really irrelevant, everyone has a different criteria of what makes a 'good' teacher. Math teachers especially tend to get a bad rep, I think b/c they tend to be no nonsense, straightforward people, sometimes a little dry, which makes sense b/c math is really like that, so you'd expect people who make that career choice to embody those characteristics, themselves. I think if you're expecting someone like that, straightforward and to the point, maybe not so personable, you'll be Ok. If you're looking for hand holding, math people usually don't go for that, maybe that's why others tend to not like this one teacher. They're expecting something that's not maybe reasonable and then getting angry about it, and not 'liking' him.

Your second concern, about increased class size, just stay focused on the teacher, not the number of students. You might not be used to 20 poeple, but the one teacher in the front of the room will be a constant. Stay focused on him/her, not the students, and you'll be fine.

How to study? Somehow, I think you know this already! You read the material carefully, take notes or underline points of reference, and then go back and re read it until you know it, until you've memorized it.

I think you'll really be Ok, here, Autumn, really, you have the smarts to deal with whatever you face.

[AutumnDae]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Sam, you helped a lot. Thanks for telling my I'm mature. That made me smile.

I'm not exactly looking for hand holding, but I understand what you are saying.

And about the large class, I am planning on sitting in the front. I usually do this anyways, I can't focus in the back because people distract me, plus I can never hear. Although, when I had him for study hall he had us sit alphabetically. That could be a problem. I suppose if I ask him nicely and explain the situation he could possible move me to the front. He already does like my math class from the past two years. My old teacher and him are friends, and she speaks very highly of us. That could be a good thing.

As for studying, I think you are right. I am pretty sure that for math he will give extra sheets. Or I can do review problems out of the book. For science, which is what I was worried about, I can go to him for help. He's actually nice, I just don't like him very much. He knows me, I had him before. I can get extra help from him. I can go in there during a study hall or Activity Period.

Hmm, I just guess I was worried over nothing really. Thanks guys for helping me realize that.