Becoming a Better Student

This semester I am teaching ALEC 102, Interpersonal Skills for Leadership...online.  Many people find this to be a contradiction "interpersonal skills...online?" Well, think about it - how much of our life is spent communicating with other via email, chat, internet, facebook, text...why not learn about interpersonal skills via distance?

Anyway, each week I develop one or two discussion questions (DQ) for the class.  Week One's DQ asked students to list their class expectations and review the table of contents to address topics they would like to focus on.  One of the students noted how when we learn about interpersonal skills, we learn how to become a better student.  In my opinion - everyone can be a good student, it is just a matter of determining your learning style and an area where you have passion.  For example, I changed my undergraduate major three times before choosing to go into education. 

So, how do we become a better student?  What is this all about?  Are we "good" student because of the study habits garnered during our elementary/middle/high school years?  Do we find a niche in college and become a better student?  I can say, once I chose to go into education, I made the Dean's List three years in a row...

What part of interpersonal skills play a role in becoming a better student?  Time management?  Managing stress?  Managing conflict?  All of the above?  These are topics I plan to blog about during this semester.  I would like feedback, comments, questions - let's start a dialog.

Next time, I am going to address active listening and nonverbal communication.  How do these topics play into successful interpersonal relationships?