Throughout the College PaperBuddy e-book, I offer hints and tips for going above and beyond when writing research papers in college. I refer to these suggestions as “gold stars,” as they are ways to impress your instructor and possibly earn a few extra points. Remember how you cherished those gold star stickers your teachers gave you in elementary school? Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you got when your paper received one of these shiny emblems of perfection? Well, you can think of the following tips as ways to earn a “gold star” in class. In college, as well as in life, it sometimes helps to go above and beyond what is expected of you—the reward, whether an improvement in grades or a personal sense of satisfaction, will be worth it. Below are a few gold star suggestions for college. • Participate in class • Ask your instructor questions • (If appropriate) create a title page for your paper • Arrive ten minutes early to class • Use more sources than what is required for the paper • Write neatly • Relate class discussions to class materials • Sit in the front half of the class or lecture hall • Take notes • Sit up straight in your seat and focus on the instructor • Dress appropriately for class • Turn off your cell phone before entering the classroom • Proofread your papers • Smile • Have fun and make the best of the academic situation