Succeeding in Class: Dr. Ian Crowe

Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Patrick Gallagher

If you have taken a class with the much-liked Professor Ian Crowe, you know by now not to have a hood on your head in that class. The well-known professor has been teaching for 41 years and has been a professor at the Abbey for the last several years. He not only has experience being a high school and college professor, but he has also taught in a different country, which gives him an interesting perspective on how the classroom works. 

When asked about the most important things for students to be doing in class, Dr. Crowe had a surprising response. Most of the students at Belmont Abbey would think that a professor might say to do all the reading beforehand, take lots of notes, and maybe be on time every time. However, Dr. Crowe says out of all of these, the most important thing is merely to “look attentive” in class. 

Yes, my fellow students, it’s that easy. Simply look attentive in class, and you can have happier professors and better grades. 

Dr. Crowe says that if you look attentive, you will probably have a notebook on the desk in front of you, even if you don’t plan on taking any notes. But if you do have a notebook in front of you, you are more likely to pay attention and write something interesting down, and instead of the entire class being background noise, you may find that you have an interest in whatever subject you may be in. Even if this is not the case, simply looking attentive can lead to a better overall grade and a better understanding of what you are studying. So, have your ears uncovered, your notebook on the desk, and when your eyes are up, your grades probably will be too.

This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.