How to Get on the Professor's Good Side
Ask Questions
In a big class of about 100 students, an extremely good and easy way to get noticed is if you don't hesitate to ask questions. Make sure that you have thought of some good questions regarding the topic being taught, not just some procedural questions to bore not only the professor or students. Something that will intrigue others and really get the professor excited about his/her subject topic is sure to impress any college teacher.
Go to Office Hours
Most all professors must have office hours, times when they are available to answer questions or help students with their work. In any case, the only times when office hours are packed are during test week as students try to scramble to get that last minute cramming in. Make sure that if you have time to visit the professor frequently, so as to make yourself known and make an impression in the professor's mind. This will not only help you develop a one-on-one relationship, it will help your studies as you will not be cramming.
Do well
The simplest way to get noticed is to do well in the class. In a large class, very few will actually rise to the top. Those that do will receive the attention from the professor and the TA (teaching assistant). If you have the ability to consistently meet expectations and show a true interest in the class by studying hard, the professor will surely notice who you are.
Ask for Research
It helps if you are genuinely interested in the subject, although many students just want credit or pay. In addition to those benefits, asking to do research will show that you are truly interested in the types of research this professor has to offer. If you get a chance to work in the lab, you will be seeing the professor frequently, giving you the chance to really develop a bond with him/her.
Go to Class
You may think that the class is large and the professor can't remember all of the faces, but if you show up to class on a daily basis and sit in a place where the professor can see you, your face will surely make an impression. The day that you won't be there will be the day that the professor will notice something is missing. So if you are able to make it to class, why waste your tuition money by skipping?
Take more classes with that Professor
Most likely, your professor will be teaching more than one class, as they will have a firm grasp of whatever subject matter they are teaching. If you are in that professor's major, or if you have an interest in the subject, take more classes that the professor teaches. If you consistently follow rules, do well, and become a frequent visitor to all of his lectures, you will definitely get noticed.
Whatever it is you do to get noticed, make sure it is in a positive manner. If you see that you may be bugging the professor or following a little too closely, give some distance and try again, or move on. These are not surefire ways to get A's, but it wouldn't hurt to develop a good relationship that could open up so many opportunities later on.
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3 Comments
Post a CommentThese are good tips. Probably better than how I got on my psychology professor's "good side." (In my defense, I WAS an adult night student. And built like a brick, well, you know.)
It usually isn't that difficult to get noticed by a professor. All I ask of my students is to participate--the few that do are the ones I remember.
Good tips, as long as they are not "overdone", which you mention. Good read.