Sydney Scott is a senior at Southeastern Louisiana University. She shares practical advice, inspiration, and tips for high school and college students using her unique brand of candor and humor.
Good communication: the most important skill you’ll learn as a student.
As a student, you’re probably learning new things every day! I would argue, though, that one of the most valuable things you’ll learn as a student doesn’t come from textbooks. The communication skills you acquire as you gain knowledge and navigate through your college experience is going to help you in all facets of life.
Why is communication so important?
Communication is the key to… everything: efficient time management, handling group projects like a pro, and maintaining a good relationship with your professors (to name just a few). If you’re a good communicator, you can bet that you’re also a good student - and will be a great candidate for that dream job when you graduate. Communication is truly the key to improving all aspects of your life as a student, and effective communication can make your life in general a whole lot easier, too!
While acquiring communication skills can be challenging to those who don’t come by them naturally, there are certain things to remember that can help make the process of acquiring communication skills easier.
Assuming makes an…
We all know the old saying about what assuming does –and it’s true! My biggest school-related communications tip is to remember to ASSUME NOTHING. Whether it’s a question that’s come up about a project you are working on, or a part of an assignment that remains up in the air, I find it’s always best to defer to your professor on what actions they prefer you take. Obviously, it’s not always possible to do this in every scenario, but making sure you communicate questions to your professor is a great habit to get into. This goes for internships and jobs you hold as a student, too. It’s always best to check with your supervisor or boss if you have a question rather than take a guess and be wrong. At the end of the day, avoiding assumptions means avoiding the possibility of harmful miscommunication, which could lead to a mistake being made that could majorly affect your grade!
Check in often.
Building from my last point, maintaining an open line of communication when it comes to your professors and classmates is essential to making sure you’re communicating effectively as a student. It’s important for any team to be in sync on what their game plan is, and class is no different. As a student, it’s your duty to make sure your answers are clarified, and that assignments like large group projects get done in the given timeframe in which they are required to be submitted. Get in the habit of checking in with classmates, group members, and professors to avoid any miscommunication.
Use the right tools.
There are plenty of free tools at your disposal that can help you be a better communicator. Here are a few of my favorites:
Google Calendar: I’ve talked about how much I love Google Calendar before, and for good reason! I write all of my assignment dates, group project workdays, breaks, etc. down at the beginning of the semester so I never miss a thing, and this method has never failed me.
Moodle/Canvas/Blackboard/Your school’s digital platform: Chances are, your school uses some sort of digital platforms like Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard for professors to send students updates and assignments. Most of these platforms allow students to directly message professors. Take advantage of the modern technology at our fingertips and don’t be afraid to message your instructors if you have questions or are struggling with a certain assignment.
GroupMe: GroupMe is a godsend for students. It allows you to create a group and add members to it, and can be a great way to connect with classmates and get some help during the semester. All of my classes have GroupMe threads that we use to talk about assignment due dates, ask questions, plan study groups, and more.
Doodle: Doodle is an online scheduling platform that allows you to schedule meetings based on times that works for each individual in a group. This is especially useful for group projects or study sessions when multiple people are busy and can’t seem to find a perfect time to meet.
Email: Good ol’ fashioned email is always a great tool for communication, especially with professors. Just make sure that you use proper grammar and a respectful tone when emailing professors. And a word to the wise: if you are emailing a professor to ask them a favor (bumping your grade, giving extra credit, allowing you to make up for a missed assignment), my advice is to never make excuses and get to the point fast. Professors receive a lot of emails, and the best way to ensure that yours is read is to make it quick, simple, and honest.
Treat stumbling blocks as learning opportunities.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that at some point, you’re going to make a mistake! Communication is an art, not a hard skill, and it’s something that you will become better at with time. Don’t fear instances of miscommunication as a reflection of your competency as a student, but rather, opportunities to learn what you can do better for next time. No one will be a perfect communicator, but if you can strengthen your communication skills while you’re still in school, they will serve you in the long run!
Want more? The Career Compass mobile app is available for free in the App Store and Google Play. Students and their parents can find scholarships, FAFSA and TOPS information, ACT and SAT reminders, application dates, important reminders, and more!
You can also check us out on Instagram and Facebook @careercompassla to see what we’re up to and to get important updates.
Image by Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay.