Suggestions on how to do well in class

Show up to class. Make the most of classroom time to learn. Resist the urge to leave class during break. Being there is half the battle. Do whatever it takes to arrive on time - anticipate and make allowances for common causes of tardiness. I will expect you on time. These expectations are the same in the workplace. I will not disrupt the entire class to accommodate late arrivals. Some materials will only be available in lecture.
I'll collect attendance information regularly, including just before the end of class.

Get help from other students in the class. You should get to know some of the other students in class so that you can share notes if you missed class. Fellow students may make good study partners.
You will have an opportunity to meet other students in class.

Take notes during class and rewrite them as you study. If you find "holes" in your notes, "fill" them by merging lecture notes with textbook study, independent study on the web, or communication with the instructor or other students. Make sure you understand everything clearly and to your satisfaction. If you don't have a clear understanding during study, it will surely not be there during an exam.
We will take enough time in class for you to copy notes from the board and the projection screen. Always ask if you can't read my handwriting or you have a question.

Study at least a little bit each day. The Grossmont Student Handbook mentions that most courses require about two hours of outside work per classroom hour. This means that you should be spending about six hours studying for a 3-hour course - more if your study skills and/or prerequisite knowledge are weak. That may seem like a lot of time, but it's the typical effort needed for class success. Some successful people spend much more time studying. For most scientists and other professionals, learning is a permanent way of life. Study and learning are less drudgery once you become proficient to a certain level. Give yourself the chance to do this.
You will have homework and a quiz each week that requires study.

Read your textbook. In addition to the material presented in class, I expect you to learn from written material. I will not duplicate all material from your reading in lecture. Science reading is a slow process. It is not good to skip over large sections you don't understand. Reading is a very human skill. It's also a very valuable skill in the workplace. Improve your reading skills if they're weak.
Successful completion of quizzes and homework will depend on reading as well as lecture.

Do not procrastinate. Everything that's worthwhile may not be the most exciting thing to do in the short term. Have fun too, but don't let the short term rob you of the key benefits in the long term - the ability to do things on your own, getting qualified for the job opportunities you want, knowing enough so you can enjoy everything the world has to offer, etc.
I will give you weekly homework and quizzes that count towards your grade in order to encourage you to stay caught-up.

Do not waste your own time. I may write you a note if I think you are not putting forth as much effort as I expect, particularly if I think this pattern is leading to failure in the class.
If you tell me you don't want to be in class, I will drop you from the class.

Make sure you have access to all materials required to do your homework early in the week. For example, if you need to use a website, make sure you have the correct URL and that your computer is able to read the page. Waiting until the last minute to check this out and asking to be excused from the assignment is not acceptable. You must make efforts to inform me in a timely manner if something isn't working properly so that the assignment can be finished on time. I would not deprive you of access to homework materials. If the assignment includes watching a video, make sure you've made arragements to tape it if you will not be at home.
I will not extend time for assignments that require a website or video viewing unless everyone in class lacks access because the resource was down.

Don't plagiarize. Write things in your own words. It gives me a chance to evaluate what you're thinking and to make suggestions if you're off-track. Writing things in your own words makes you sort out your thoughts. Rewriting something you don't understand isn't very worthwhile and if you don't cite it properly, it is plagiarism. I want to hear what you have to say. It does no good for me to comment on what the text had to say. If you don't cite a resource that you quote, the source may be offended because you tried to pass off their work as your own. Conversely, if the source is incorrect, I will assume that you were incorrect. It is your responsibility to identify reliable sources of information.
If you write it as your own, I'll ask you to explain it.

Play an active role in your own education. If you don't understand a topic or homework problem, contact me and get assistance. This doesn't mean I will repeat an entire lecture for you; however, I am availalbe to help you via e-mail, phone, or meeting by special arrangement. With modern communication tools, it is easier than ever to get quick help from the instructor. It requires you to take care of the details in a timely manner though. Do what counts. You will not receive credit by answering a homework question with a response like - "I couldn't answer the question because it was too confusing and I didn't understand." I expect you to work proactively in getting assistance before homework is due. E-mailing the day before the assignment is due is not attending to business in "a timely manner."
Let me know how we can make the class more conducive to learning at the college level in a constructive way.

Do all of the things to make it possible for yourself to be successful. Success feeds on itself.
Let me know how we can make the class more conducive to learning at the college level in a constructive way.

Get your work and school life organized. Work and school may require each other but each is its own master. You must make sure they can coexist with you. You cannot be in class and at work at the same time. Just like work, this class requires attendance at a fixed time. If you cannot learn in this situation, there are other options such as distance-learning.
If you tell me you need to miss class regularly because you need to be at work, I will suggest you choose either work or class but not both.

Try to find the linkages between science and your life. I find there are too many to count. These linkages may make class more interesting to you. So many things are interconnected and once you see those connections, all the new stuff won't be as overwhelming.
The class content will make many linkages between Oceanography and current topics.