Relationships with your professsors

Contributor: Adam White

So you want to get the scoop on how to get on a good foot with professors? You’ve come to the right place. Professors are your lifeline in college. They not only teach you the subject matter that you need to know, they can be tremendously since they also can recommendations and give you solid career advice. They also know about programs within the school and can point you to opportunities you may not have known about otherwise. In short, building solid relationships with professors enhances your college experience and is the first step in building your professional network.

So without further ado, I present a list of tips for building solid relationships with your professors.

Tip #1: Sit in the front of class and participate actively.

Professors are employed by the university because they love the subject material they teach. Who wants to teach a bunch of quiet, disinterested people? Nobody!! When you sit in front of the class and participate, you make their lives easier and they will remember you.

Tip #2: Go to Office Hours.

All professors have office hours where they are supposed to be free to help YOU, the student. Most students do not make use their office hours: do not be like them. This is the best time to talk with them since it is a one-on-one interaction and they will get to know you a lot better. It’s also a chance to ask questions without the rest of the class looking at you.  Face time is the best time.

Tip #3: Do Excellent Work.

This may seem obvious, but do make your work interesting for them. Remember, they grade your work. If the quality of your writing is bad and it is painful to read, you are making their lives difficult. On the other hand, if you produce solid work, it is an enjoyable, refreshing experience for them.

Tip #4: Get to Know Them.

I’ll say it again. Professors are people and they have lives outside of school.  Ask them about how their day is going, how their weekend was, etc. Find out what they like outside of work. Do not pry, but get a few details and commit it to memory. Later on, ask them brief follow up questions next time you come to office hours.  When you do this, you make them feel like a person and shows that you care about them.  You never know how much of an effect it may make on their day.

 Pro tip: do not bring up personal stuff in class.

Tip #5: Say Thank You.

No really, do that. Teaching is tough and can oftentimes feel like a lot of stress for little pay. It can be thankless at times. Thank-you’s make the job feel fulfilling and lets them know that their effort made an impact. Who doesn’t like being acknowledged and feeling that their work made a difference!?

There you have it, these are my tips for building good relationships with your professors! Best of luck on your career!

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