Scholarly Advice for Academic Mastery
A collection of insights and advice from some of the most successful university, graduate, and professional students and scholars.
Topic: Asking Questions
I used to
believe that as I got higher and higher in the pecking order of school --
high school student, then college student, then graduate student -- the
questions on my exams would get more and more complicated. I suspect I
imported this idea from high school, where it was true to a great extent.
(My junior-year biology exam had more complicated questions than my
freshman-year biology exam, etc.) However, now that I am a doctoral student,
I am finding that the opposite is true. The toughest questions in the world
are the really simple ones. It would, for instance, be acceptable to ask
this question on a doctoral qualifying exam in international relations:
"What causes war?"
The point is that the advice to
"never be afraid to ask questions" in class needs a little nuance. If it
seems like a simple question to you, and your professor has not addressed
it, you should probably ask it; you are probably touching on an issue that
is deep and important. If, on the other hand, your question seems really
complicated, rethink it. If you boil it down to its essence, it's probably
pretty simple.
Nathan Black
PhD, Political Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
One of the main things that has helped me throughout college is asking questions. If you don't feel comfortable asking during class, you can almost always ask by emailing or stopping by a professor's office. Even if you think your question is silly or obvious--or even it's just something from class that you need repeated and explained in further detail--that's okay. It is the professor's responsibility to teach you, and catering to students' different learning styles is a part of that responsibility. When unsure or confused about material covered in class, I would almost always stay afterwards to ask the professor about it. Of course you need to read your notes and study as well, but sometimes asking questions first and clearing up initial confusion can help you to study your notes better. Teaching assistants ("TAs") are great resources as well; they are there to help and answer questions, so take advantage of them. There is no way I would have gotten through my courses thus far without having received so much help from professors and TAs. I have been amazed over the years at people's willingness to help; so many professors, TAs, and friends have taken the time to sit down with me and explain difficult concepts by talking, drawing pictures, and even using props sometimes! So, don't be afraid to ask questions; it has helped me to get a whole lot more out of college than I ever would have on my own!
Rachel Berkowitz
Carnegie Mellon University
If you are worried about getting good grades, then make sure you understand the material for tests. My advice is to ask questions in class. You can make sure you get a grasp on the material by asking questions during class, after class, by setting up a meeting with the teacher, or creating a study group with students. College can be scary with huge classes and little attention from the teacher. Making an effort to ask a question or meet with a teacher shows them that you care about learning and your education. If the teachers round up or down and/or have participation points as part of the grade, they will likely give you a boost in your grade for participating in class. You will also do better on tests by making sure you know what will be on the test and learning it.
| Sarah Becker Arizona State University |
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Do not be afraid to ask questions and use the resources that are right at your fingertips. Asking intelligent questions will get you further than pretending to already know the information. Speak to professors about their experience working in academia because it will help you determine if you are interested in pursuing a PhD or other higher degree. Professionals who currently work in your field of interest are invaluable resources because they can inform you about the day-to-day reality of their field, rather than presenting a glamorized version in the classroom. Take the time to think about what you want to get out of life, what is important to you, and what kind of lifestyle you would like to have. If you get to know yourself and start trusting your personal preferences you can avoid spending a lot of time inadvertently working toward someone else's goal!
Amy Krilla
Master of Science in Social Work
Florida State University
One of the best professors I ever had told me to never be afraid to raise my hand first and ask a question or a make a comment. She said whomever speaks first guides and shapes the discussion that follows. I discovered she was right: class discussions did follow the questions or comments of the first student who raised his or her hand. After observing this dynamic, I became more confident in being the first one to raise my hand and initiate the class discussion.
Shauna Lee Manning
Master of Education in Instructional Design
University of Massachusetts Boston
Unfortunately many university lectures rarely allow students an opportunity to ask and pursue their questions. If college students are to develop their critical thing and ability to ask quality questions, they must practice doing so. Professors and Instructors that are on cutting and implementing best practices, provide students with opportunities for classroom inquiry. Inquiry describes the continuum from Professor directed to student self-directed. This type of questioning allows students to move to higher order thinking skills. Many times questions are used as comprehension checks for Professors and Instructors. This type of formative assessment allows a check check if you completing the reading and assignments but are you really willing to pay for that. Make sure you are doing your work, have more in depth evaluative questions ready to ask your instructor, and remember your paying - Ask the question.
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Robert Williams Adjunct Instructor - Buena Vista University Master of Educational Leadership Viterbo University
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Don’t be afraid to speak out or ask questions in class. Entering college
or graduate school, it may be intimidating to speak out when you are
surrounded by so many other bright people. But get over that! On several
occasions, I remember thinking of a question or comment, but never voicing
it because I dismissed it as stupid. Without fail (or so it seemed), someone
else in the class would raise his hand and say nearly the same thing. Of
course, the professor would remark on how insightful and brilliant that
comment was and thank the student for bringing it up. And I’m sitting in my
seat, kicking myself for being too afraid to voice it. Now, on occasion,
you’re bound to make an unexceptional comment. But that’s a chance that’s
worth taking.
When it comes to asking questions – it is worth understanding the material,
so just do it. Don’t be shy. Chances are, a few other people will be glad
you asked the question because they were wondering the exact same thing.
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Carissa K. Goodlet Master of Educational Administration Youngstown State University
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Academic mastery is perhaps the highest level of enlightenment that one may seek in any content area. To reach this level of mastery, though, a student must often learn from a master. Part of what has contributed to my level of academic achievement has not been of my own doing, but that of others, that is, the masters in my life. Although I have a great deal of self-efficacy when it comes to my own learning, I have also learned how important it is to seek out help and support when I need it. This is part of being an excellent student, knowing where and who to seek when I don't know something. It is not always easy to admit that one needs help, but I firmly believe that reaching out for this help and accepting it when it is offered is critical to academic success. There are many wonderful teachers in our lives at any level and it is certainly not without their help that we are able to succeed. As good students, we need to know when to ask for help and not be afraid to accept it when it is given to us. This leads us to learn from the masters.
| Kristin L. Jones PhD., Educational Administration Ohio University |
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When in doubt, ask. Don't ever be afraid to seek out assistance from your friends, instructors, and/or other resources. Your instructors are there to help and provide you with information. You are paying for your education, use it!
Clara Ervin
Master of Special Education
Pittsburg State University