Alternatives to Sucking Up

Sparkler Cleptonun has some fab ideas about forging a positive relationship with a teacher or professor without coming across like a suck up. Enjoy! —SparkNotes editors

Suck ups are frustrating and annoying. Heck, even most teachers don’t care for them. So here is the question: How do you impress a teacher without being labeled as a brown-noser?

1. Disagree with the teacher.

It might seem like the wrong way to go, but if you are having a discussion in class it could be your in. Just make sure you have a good argument and impress your teacher with your knowledge and creative thinking skills.

2. Have a good sense of humor.

You don’t have to have cheesy adult humor to get along with an adult. Just use your fabulous sense of humor. That way s/he will start thinking of you as clever!

3. Don’t ask too many questions.

If you don’t understand something, then ask. But if the instructions are in front of you and you are just second guessing yourself, don’t. Teachers get frustrated when they have to repeat things too many times. Seriously.

4. Do what is asked of you.

When it comes down to it, you could be the biggest brat in the world but still do well in class because you do your work. The opposite is also true. You could be really knowledgeable, but if you don’t do anything, YOU FAIL. Don’t fail. If you can’t do something, be honest. Excuses will just peeve people off.

5. Think outside of the box.

Don’t do the same exact thing as everyone else. When you are given a little freedom in an assignment, take it. If you have to do a visual, don’t make it a poster or something conventional. Show off your mad skills when you can and just have fun with it.

Using these five strong suggestions, you can impress most any teacher while maintaining your awesome rep. Just remember: These will not work on every teacher. Some are just pure evil. They sleep in their classrooms at night and make their lessons with the only goal of failing you. Those teachers, I can't help with.

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