Keep the discussion going outside of class -- post your questions, comments, and suggestions to class discussions, projects, events, and the other posts.
Mark Gerhard was my 3DS Max teacher, one who wrote many of the Max product tutorials, who in his spare time is also an accomplished sculptor and musician. And a good friend.
Mark has been writing this 3DS Max blog for the last few years. It's full of advice, tips and tricks. So take a read.