16 Things You Only Learned Because a Classmate Told You
Some of the most useful things you learned in school came from classmates, not textbooks.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Teachers and books cover the main lessons, but classmates often share tips that are just as helpful. These could be shortcuts, hidden rules, or advice you never knew you needed. Here are 16 things students usually only learn because someone in class decided to help out.
1. You Can Retake a Test If You Ask Politely
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Many students only found out they could retake a quiz or test by hearing it from a classmate. Teachers don’t always say this out loud, but some will allow it if you show effort. A friend who asked once and got a second chance may have passed the secret on. Knowing this helped you manage bad days and missed chances.
2. The Teacher Always Reuses Questions from Past Years
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Someone who had an older sibling or friend in the same class might quietly pass on this detail. Test questions and formats often repeat without changes. Getting access to old papers gave you a huge advantage. It was a quiet rule that no one in charge would ever say out loud.
3. Sitting in the Front Makes You Look More Focused
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A classmate once told you that just sitting in the front row made the teacher think you were a better student. You didn’t even have to say much — just being up front made a difference. It helped boost your image without extra effort. You likely never would have figured that out on your own.
4. Always Say You Didn’t Understand Even If You Did
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Asking “Can you explain that again?” made the teacher repeat the topic for the whole class. A friend once explained that this helped others, even if you already got it. You weren’t just helping yourself — you were buying time and saving everyone from confusion. This tip made you look thoughtful and smart.
5. Extra Credit Assignments Are Often Hidden in the Syllabus
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You might have missed them completely until a classmate showed you where to look. Some teachers quietly list optional work in their course outlines without ever mentioning it. A smart student who noticed it once helped the whole group catch up. It was like finding free points in plain sight.
6. Teachers Grade Nicer When You Turn Things in Early
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A classmate once mentioned that early submissions get more generous feedback. Teachers have more patience and fewer papers to read at the beginning of the year. This small timing trick made a big difference in your grade. It’s one of those things you learn from experience — or from a helpful friend.
7. You Don’t Have to Read Everything—Just the First and Last Paragraphs
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Not all students read full chapters. One of them likely told you to read just the introduction and conclusion to get the main idea. It worked well enough to get by in class discussions. That advice probably saved you hours of reading time.
8. Office Hours Are for Getting Hints on the Exam
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No one told you this in orientation. However, a student who visited office hours said teachers often give away what to study. Just showing up and asking general questions was sometimes enough. It felt like getting a sneak peek before the real test.
9. Group Projects Are Easier If You Volunteer First
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Someone once said, “Just say what part you want first.” That way, you get an easier task and look responsible. Most classmates are happy to let someone else lead. It’s a simple trick that makes group work smoother.
10. You Don’t Need to Do the Practice Problems—Just Review the Answers
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The smart student in your class figured out that reviewing the solution steps was enough. You didn’t always have to work through every question. Just understanding how they got the answer saved time and stress. This shortcut felt like a cheat code for homework.
11. There’s Always One Friendly TA Who Will Explain Everything Again
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Sometimes, a student told you which teaching assistant to go to for real help. Not all TAs are equal — some explain things better than the professor. Once you found the right one, you got answers without judgment. That tip saved your grade more than once.
12. The Real Deadline Is Midnight, Not 11:59 PM
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You were ready to panic until someone said, “It still accepts files after midnight.” Some platforms allow uploads for a few extra minutes. Teachers rarely mention this, but classmates knew. That buffer helped when things got tight.
13. You Can Skip the Reading if You Join the Right Study Group
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A friend said, “Just listen to the group chat summary.” They gave you the main points and saved you from having to read every page. These unofficial study groups became survival tools. The key was being in the loop.
14. The Best Way to Study Is to Teach Someone Else
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You may have noticed that classmates who explain material often understand it better. One of them probably told you to try teaching the topic aloud to yourself or a friend. This method helped you find gaps in what you knew. It’s a trick that turned reviewing into real learning.
15. You Should Always Look at the Rubric Before Starting
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No one reads the rubric — until a classmate says it has exactly what the teacher wants. You realized assignments could be planned around it. It told you what to focus on and what to ignore. This saved time and raised your grades.
16. Some Students Already Have the Answers, and You Can Ask Nicely
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A classmate once quietly offered last year’s notes or study guide. You never asked before, but they did. Suddenly, you had access to real material from someone who had already passed. It wasn’t official, but it worked.