1. Introduce yourself and just say “hi.”
This is probably the easiest way to start forming a relationship with your professors. Take a few minutes before or after class to introduce yourself and express an interest in the subject matter that you’ll be studying.
“It sounds so simple, but actually waving and saying hello to them when I pass them by on campus helps build a relationship,” said junoir and Campus Correspondent Katie Moran. “Just because they’re my teacher doesn’t mean I can’t be friendly around campus like I would with my friends and other students!”
They’ll remember that you took the initiative, and it will make it easier for you to meet with them in the future.
2. Attend office hours or schedule an appointment to meet with them outside of class.
This is probably the most important way to get to know your professors and other faculty members. Take the time to visit them during office hours if you have questions about the material, need help with a paper topic, or just want to talk.
“I always try to email or go to office hours for any kind of question or uncertainty I might have about the material,” said sophomore Kelsey Damassa. “That way, I not only get know the Professor better, but they get to meet me on a more personal level as well. A lot of the time, I will go to office hours with a quick, simple question and end up staying for a while to talk about things unrelated. These kinds of connections definitely come in handy throughout your time at BC.”
It’s a great way to get to know your professors on a more personal level, while at the same time getting a little extra help and one-on-one attention.
3. Go to class every day and turn assignments in on time.
Go to class. It’s really not that difficult. And you never know, it might end up being something that you’re really interested in! Either way, going to class is important because it will ensure that you learn the correct information directly from your professor, and you’ll be less likely to get behind in your work. Also, try not to ask for extensions unless you absolutely need them. If you manage your time efficiently and do your work well, your professor will notice. If you put things off to the last minute and beg for an extension, your professor will notice that, too.
4. Sit in the front of the class and pay attention.
Show an interest in what you’re learning in class by sitting in front and engaging in the material. When you sit closer to the front, it will feel more like a conversation with your professor than simply sitting in on a large lecture class.
5. Participate in class, asking and answering questions.
If your professor asks a question, volunteer an answer! If you have a comment or question, speak up! This can make a lasting impression on the professor because it shows you are confident and actively engaged in the class, not just going through the motions. If you’re shy, or you’d rather participate in a different way, send your professor an email or attend office hours. Start a conversation and see where it goes!
6. Join clubs that the professor is involved in.
If you’re enrolled in a class that you really enjoy, and the professor is a part of some club or service project initiative on campus, join it! It will show them that you are truly interested and that you want to learn more, while giving you both a chance to explore the topic deeper than you would be able to do in class… and it’s fun!
7. Attend lectures, talks, and presentations.
Not only are these really interesting, but you can learn more about the speakers as individuals, how they got to where they are, what they do, why they love it, and important advice about how to pursue your own dreams and goals. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and introduce yourself to some pretty amazing people that you might not get the chance to meet otherwise.
8. Attend lunches and dinners with your professor and other faculty members.
Free food (not from the dining halls), a great discussion, valuable advice, and the chance to meet and get to know new people… what’s not to love? Lunches and dinners hosted by different faculty members and professors are one of the best ways to get to know them on a deeper level because you have time to sit down with them and a small group of students, and talk about issues, concerns, questions, ideas, and experiences in a casual setting. Not only can you ask whatever you want, but you can also hear what other students have to say and build off of that. You’ll have the chance to meet a wonderful faculty member, as well as your peers who have similar interests as you!
9. Take more than one class with the same professor.
At first, it might be difficult to gauge how you will get along with your professor, but after awhile, you will know if you get along well, have common interests, and what their quirks are. If you mesh well and your professor teaches more than one class that you’re interested in, take them all! You’ll be able to build a lasting relationship because you come in contact with each other on a regular basis for a longer period of time. It’s a much easier transition between classes, and you’ll have an advantage from the beginning because you already know the professor better than most of the other people in your class.
Junior Elaina Donofrio introduced herself after one of her Intro to Communications lectures, and the professor was so happy that when she took another one of her classes in a smaller setting, she remembered her.
“I’d go to her office hours that second year if I needed advice,” said Donofrio. “And now she’s writing me a recommendation for study abroad!”
10. Contact the professor ahead of time if you are going to miss class.
This is just common courtesy. If you’re going to miss class for any reason, give your professor notice ahead of time (at least a day), so that they know not to expect you there. If you’re going to miss class, ask to make an appointment with them to make up what you missed, so you stay on top of things and they know you didn’t just skip class because you wanted to sleep in.
Photo Sources:
http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/blogs/smitten/0409-professor-with-students_sm.jpg
http://www.utexas.edu/news/images/2007/research/2586_Law_Supreme.jpg