How to Build Strong Academic Relationships with Professors
Making friends with your college professors might seem like a very strategic thing to do (i.e., so you can get that coveted recommendation letter at some later date), but the advantages of establishing such collegial relationships reach far beyond graduation. Learn to distinguish your profs with these tips, applicable both in the classroom and beyond.
Studies have shown that students with a good rapport with their faculty also benefit from an improvement in the following aspects: intellectual and professional advancement, academic performance, motivation, and learning (Mason, 2022). However, if you are wondering how to build a strong relationship with your professor? It’s not new, a lot of college students do not take the initiative to get to know their professors.
According to the results of a Student Voice Survey of undergraduates, 28% reported that they never went to office hours with their professors and, among those who do go, 55% meet with faculty only once or twice each semester.
No matter how personable and outgoing you are, it can be difficult to break the ice with a professor simply because of the subject role they play. That hopeless case is that jerk of a professor, not only is he impossible but you both obviously cannot stand each other. Here are some tips to help you start developing good relationships with professors.
1. Introduce Yourself
During the first week of class, introduce yourself to your professor. This can be done either before or after the class, by attending office hours or emailing. Coming early to the class and presenting yourself can demonstrate that you are eager about the class to improve (and gain the respect of the professor) and that you have great manners that display characteristics of listening, adulthood, and obligation.
2. Engage in the course
Join discussions. Participate in class Answer their questions and ask them in return to show that you are curious, intellectually engaged and prepared for class (i.e., you did the reading, or worked through a few test problems). In the largest of classes, it might be awkward to ask questions when sitting among a herd of students, but professors WILL appreciate that you asked and were paying attention. If you don’t get it, some other students together. Admit that you are struggling with learning something tough — It demonstrates effort and open-mindedness.
If you are uncomfortable speaking up during a large lecture hall, speak with the professor before or after class, or send an email for example ask regarding dissertation posters. You can also try to sit in the first 2–3 rows of class as this will help with experience better classroom interactions. While this tip may seem more convenient over anything else, sitting closer to an instructor allows them to pick you out in a crowd and maybe it will be easier to participate when discussions are going by.
3. Ask good questions at office hours
Because while you may be too intimidated to go speak with a professor during office hours, speaking with students and helping them learn is part of the job. Most professors like to provide proper primary data collection help (and think more highly of students who ask for it outright).
That being said, it is an opportunity to bring in some pretty cool questions — something you are honestly curious about or don’t understand. Know What You Want in The Meeting If you want to go over an exam or paper (we know, it really stinks when you have bigger expectations for yourself), remember that you might not be able to do so unless you make an appointment!
4. Take an Actual Interest in the Course (and the Professor’s Work)
Nearly all of the professors appreciate students who have a genuine interest in their field and are eager to learn more. This may help you to show you are genuinely interested in the topic or field your professor teaches. And one way to that is doing additional work beyond the extra mile of acing a test, an exam or even getting good grade. This might involve reading additional material, solving extra exercises or doing an independent project. Finally, you might ask the professor what other information sources or experts can you start following for further enrichment.
Do some homework on whatever your professor gets their genius on about and ask them good questions about their work and research as it pertains to the stuff you are learning in class so they will know you care.
5. Dialogue politely and professionally
You are not an employee of the professor, but it is a professional relationship, so the language should be communicated professionally – we are talking in person and in emails. Generally, whenever you send an email to a professor, keep it in its best professional version — be polite and succinct! You are not sending an email or a text to one of your besties. In emails and speaking to college faculty, it is necessary to use the proper title. Assistant, associate or adjunct professors — “Professor” is fine. Professors with Ph. Ds. some may want to be referred to as “Doctor” or simply “Dr”, and also do not it by their first so or gently their name, unless told to.
6. Take more than one class with a professor.
It is hard for you to build a relationship with your professor in one semester or quarter. It allows you more time to get to know an instructor and provides the professor a far better context of your abilities as they relate to what they ultimately write in letter of recommendation. If you cannot take another class with the same professor, perhaps ask to work mutually with said person on an independent project.
Conclusion
Making connections with professors is slow and not every professor you meet will turn out to be your best friend or mentor. This can be tough to beat at times, but nine out of ten times it is going to pay off. With some luck, these pieces of advice will light and encourage you to write out to your professors. ‘Learning about them — as well as sharing information on who you are — can foster connections at college and unlock pathways toward new experiences while at or after graduating college’ (ER, 2020).
