Do you really, really want to learn?

Here are Ingolf Vogeler’s suggestions for success, after almost 30 years of teaching:

1. Be fully engaged. Learn everything you can; you don’t know what you need to learn for the future.

2. Always be on time for class. The best way to learn is in person with the instructor in class: you can ask questions, reflect on the lecture, and get the reactions from other students.

3. Never make excuses or blame others.

4. Don’t be lazy and sloppy.

5. Read everything assigned and then follow up on topics or ideas that interest you. Reflect on what you have read. Relate your readings to your world.

6. Study. Set aside quiet time every week to review the course materials and to do assignments. Don’t put off what you need to do today!

7. Don’t worry about your grade. If you do all the other things on this list, you will get your highest grade (whether an A, B- or C+) and you will have learned as much as you can at this stage of your career.

8. Think about your resume. What specific skills, techniques, and topical materials am I mastering?

9. Have a sense of humor. You can enjoy yourself while working hard and being successful.

Inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.