Building Relationships with College Professors: A Guide for Students
Building relationships with college professors is crucial for academic success and personal growth. This guide provides practical tips on getting to know your professors, attending classes regularly, taking advantage of office hours, and communicating effectively. By following these steps, students can enhance their learning experience and unlock opportunities for mentorship, recommendation letters, and academic support.
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Why should I get to know professors? Q & A with a College Senior: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/academic- life/the-scoop-how-to-get-to-know-your-college-professors Where do I start? What should I say?
Go to Class! (Every day!) 0 Shows you care about being a good student 0 Make a good impression! 0 Ask questions, be prepared, stay engaged in discussion
Take Advantage of Office Hours 0 Purpose of Office Hours 0 Posted in syllabus and on door
A Plan for Office Hours STEP 1: Identify a purpose for the meeting 0 You performed poorly on a quiz, exam, or other class assignment. 0 You are unclear about an assignment, exam/reading schedule, policy on attendance, etc. 0 You want to turn in an assignment late or take a test at a different time. 0 You are unsure about your current major. 0 You have missed class due to sickness. 0 You are considering graduate school in the professor's area of expertise and want to ask the professor for a letter of recommendation. WRITE IT DOWN!
A Plan for Office Hours STEP 2: Determine the best time 0 Check your syllabus for office hours, phone number, and email address. 0 If it is an urgent purpose, going in person may be the best option. Email is another great choice.
A Note on Email 0Use proper email etiquette! 0Be sure to use a subject for an email (not needed in Canvas) 0Formal - Doctor (Dr.), Mister (Mr.), Mrs., Professor 0Write in full sentences 0Be sure to include your name, ID number, and the course/section you are taking in your email 0Be polite and respectful!
A Plan for Office Hours STEP 3: Organize your talk 0 Come to your meeting prepared (this is especially helpful if you are intimidated or have anxiety) 0 List out your questions beforehand and bring it with you 0 Bring paper/pen/iPad and take notes. Don t rely on your memory (especially if you re nervous) 0 Consider bringing your textbook and/or class notes if you ve got course-specific questions
A Plan for Office Hours STEP 4: Attend the meeting 0 Arrive on time (earlier) and be polite! Use formal address (Professor/Dr.) unless they tell you otherwise 0 Ask your questions, engage in the conversation 0 Be aware that some professors may not have enough time to answer all of your questions, but it is a great idea to schedule a follow-up meeting
Learn About Their Interests 0 Your professors teach because they are experts in a field of study 0 Many have done research and learned exciting things! 0 One of the best ways to meet new people is to get them to talk about themselves. This is no different with professors! 0 This is especially important when you are getting to know professors in your major.
Stay in Touch! 0 After you ve spent time getting to know a professor while you were taking their course, don t just stop there! 0 Check-in during future semesters! 0 You never know when YOU are going to want them to remember you!
Professors are People Too! 0 No one was born with a Ph.D.! 0 They were students themselves one day! Ask for study tips and advice, not just for their class, but for all classes. 0 Sometimes they make mistakes! 0 Discussing a grade issue is a situation that is bound to happen at some point during college. But the way you approach the situation can drastically affect your professors response.
What Not to Do! 0 Don t think you ll get any special treatment because you ve taken the time to get to know a faculty member 0 Don t try to invite your professor out for a beer! 0 Although he or she may seem like a fun person to hang out with, save this adventure for after graduation! 0 Monopolize your professor s time before or after class or during office hours 0 Other students may need help or have questions, too. 0 A better approach would be to invite them to coffee or schedule a meeting where they can dedicate time to your concerns.
Here is a table that you can use to log your professors office hours and contact information. Keep this handy so you can effectively make arrangements to meet with your professor regarding coursework and other forms of assistance that you may need. Course Instructor E-mail Phone Office Location Office Hours
Resources 0 Big Future. The College Board. The Scoop: How to Get to Know Your College Professors. Accessed on October 22, 2013 from https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find- colleges/academic-life/the-scoop-how-to-get-to-know-your-college-professors. 0 CB Staff. Collegebound.net. Faculty Friendships. Accessed October 22, 2013 from http://www.collegebound.net/content/article/faculty-friendships/19601/ 0 Counseling & Wellness Center. University of Florida. How to Approach a Professor for Help. Accessed on October 22, 2013 from https://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/How-to-Approach-a-Professor-for-Help.aspx. 0 Learning Strategies Center. Cornell University. What Are Office Hours? Accessed on October 22, 2013 from http://lsc.cornell.edu/Sidebars/Study_Skills_Resources/Study%20Skills%20PDFs %20for%20LSC%20Website/What%20Are%20Office%20Hours.pdf 0 Lucier, K.L. About.com. How to Get to Know Your College Professors. Accessed on October 22, 2013 from http://collegelife.about.com/od/academiclife/ht/gettoknowprofs.htm.
