How To Get To Know Your Professor In Six Simple Steps

Guidelines For Better Students Relationship With College Professors 

There are countless academic differences between college and high school, like the rigor of your courses and a different scheduling style. However, one of the changes that could take your most time is getting used to your class size and dynamic, especially at a larger school. Large classes also make it almost impossible to develop a relationship with your professor. 

Why is having a close relationship with your professor important?

Knowing your professor is not a way for you to con your way into a better grade by buttering up the person doing the grading. It is not even about ensuring you have someone willing to write a glowing recommendation letter. Being a model student will not only impress your professors, but will help you make the most of your college career too.

Some of the most important people you will ever meet in your life are the professors who teach your college classes. Professors do more than impart knowledge. They also serve as judges of your academic work and in many cases, of your potential to succeed in the future. Undoubtedly, it is in the best interest of every student to make a positive impression.

According to Mallory Smith, a student at Stanford University, making a good impression is extremely important not only for grading, but for developing relationships with professors that act as mentors, or advisors in your academic year. In addition, she adds that, when the faculty recognizes you and cares about you, they write strong recommendation letters, advise you on career choices and connect you with opportunities.

Do you want to thrive in this important dimension of college life? Here are strategies for making a great impression:

 1. Get Off To A Good Start

The first few days of college are crucial although everything covered in a given course is important. There are chances that your professors’ initial impression of you will be a positive one if you get off to a good start. The phrase ‘first impressions last’ may be a cliché but the sentimental still holds true.

According to David Rudd an economics and business professor, you should start every class at full intensity. He states that, it is easy to think that the first few classes are going to ease you into content and that you can afford to cruise at low speed in the first week or so. This is true to freshmen who think that the first material they see is really a review of high school.

It is advisable that for a quick start, you should study the course syllabus and start working right away on assignments. Have your textbooks and review the readings. You can assure yourself a productive start if you take a business-like approach to the tasks.

 2. Be Visible

You can easily remain anonymous as a college student. You can sit quietly in class, complete your assignments on time and probably do okay. However, if you want people to remember you, you need to be visible. Are you asking how you should do that? Participate! Buford Barr, a professor at Santa Clara University states that participation is key. You have to be in class so you had better get the most out of it.

Speaking in class may or may not be an exception, depending on the type of class and the instructor’s preferences. However, participating in class discussions is a great way to show that you are engaged, not to mention helpful in learning and retaining the information.

Most professors appreciate it most when students come to class ready to engage in lively discussion. If you do not feel confident about expressing your opinions, a good way to get started is to ask for clarification about something you have read. Ask questions and you will get more from the class and the professor will remember you when rewarding class participation points.

 3. Put In The Work

Everybody knows that it requires hard work to succeed in college. However, it is a fact that not every student works hard all the time. In fact, professors often complain about students who skip readings, submit work that shows lack of effort and miss assignments.

Rick Muthiah of George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon says that professors want their students to succeed but are not going to hand out grades just for showing up. He adds that demonstrating your commitment to learning, particularly in a specific professor’s course, will help set you apart as a student who wants more than just an easy A. this means completing all your assignments on time and studying enough. If you can go beyond what is required, it makes a better impression.

 4. Build Relationships

Individual contact with faculty is limited for most students. Yet most professors are highly approachable. They will remember you if you take the time to interact with them. According to Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz an author, a great move is to help a professor get to know who you are as a person. She advises that at the very first class, go up and introduce yourself. The professor might not remember your name but your face will be familiar.

Take advantage of opportunities to connect outside of class as the term progresses. Make an effort to schedule occasional meetings with your professors during their office hours. You might point out any interesting things you are learning in class and ask questions about a topic that you find confusing.

Remember that most college professors genuinely like teaching and working with others or they would pursue other careers. That means that they enjoy talking with their students and are likely to be very accessible. As long as you are polite and do not overstay your welcome, you will be well received.

 4. Communicate About Problems

If you have problems that affect your role as a student, do not keep them to yourself. Otherwise, a positive impression could turn to a negative one. Communicate with your professor if you are struggling with your assignment. Most professors respect students who step up and take responsibility for their work.

 5. Pay Attention To Details

Staying informed is among your academic responsibilities. Monitoring class-related details will reinforce your image as a serious student. You can review the syllabus regularly for each course, keep track of your grades and check your email and course websites frequently. Always question your instructor about any details that are not clear.

Clarify questions with your professor but only after you have done your part by following instructions and the material provided to you. You will not win points by asking whether the assignment is a two page or five-page essay with the details on your syllabus.

Professors and students agree that throughout your college career and even beyond, efforts to foster positive impressions will pay off. According to Huppman, professors want you to learn and want you to enjoy what you are learning. However, you are a big part of that equation and making a positive impression by giving your best effort will make you stand out.

Conclusion

A good impression is one thing while a bad impression is quite another. Avoid interrupting other students or the instructor when they are speaking. That shows that you think what you are saying is more important than what they are saying which is disrespectful. Do not be late to class or on assignments. If you have an extenuating circumstance that requires you to ask for an extension, kindly request for their consideration and fully explain the situation.

Do not be rude, annoying, disrespectful, lazy or tardy. This way you will not be only making the professor’s life easier but yours as well.