Going back to college and getting in the swing of academics after a study free summer can take some time. Remember key study skills include: be ready for class, ask smart questions, avoid at all costs the dead give away questions of the clearly clueless college student.

THERE ARE SUCH THINGS AS STUPID QUESTIONS

In one of my college success books, "College Success Your Way: What Your Professors Won't Tell You and Friends Don't Know," I devote an entire chapter to pet peeves that drive your professors up a wall. Having been an Assistant Professor at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, I can assure you that as unpleasant as it may be to hear, teachers are just being kind when they say there are no stupid questions. Smart college students know better.

You've seen this happen. You're in class, a student who usually not only sleeps but also snores through most of the period, raises his hand and begins, "This is probably a stupid question." For some reason, the teacher answers, "Now, there are no stupid questions." And sure enough, here it comes, the most ridiculous question you've heard all year. If you're thinking there are such things as stupid questions, you're right. Only to soften the blow, let's call them ill-advised questions, shall we?

Let's go over some questions you don't want to be caught dead asking. Right off the bat, let me say that anytime you do not read the assignment for the day, you may not ask questions. Not trying to be a control freak here, just looking out for your best interest. Why not ask if you haven't read? Quite simply, you can end up really looking silly if the question is already answered in the text. It's a big, black mark against you. It makes you look not only ill-prepared, but lazy.

Your teacher is thinking you didn't do your part, now you want to use class time for something you should have done yourself. Bad idea. Also, if you have one of those teachers who like to rub it in when it's obvious that a student hasn't prepared, you may be in for some serious teasing throughout the term. You can also forget getting others to be your partner on a group project. Once others know you don't do your work, they won't want to let you ride on their coattails. And obviously, no body wants someone in a study group who won't carry his own weight, either.

See? Some questions are best left unasked. Now that I've got some of you sufficiently paranoid, two important points:

1. If you have prepared, yes, please do ask a question, if you need a point clarified. Jump right in there

2. If you do ask a question, DO NOT, under any circumstance, begin by saying, "This is probably as stupid question."

Be bold, it earns you more respect. Why leave off the "stupid question" disclaimer? Because it's weak, and makes you look like you don't have confidence in yourself. You know, we teach people how to treat us. We do this by how we treat them, and ourselves. This includes how we talk about ourselves. Saying we have a stupid question really undermines our own credibility.

Avoid this problem completely by getting back to college on the right foot and staying on top of your studies.