Building a Relationship With Your Professor

[TurkDorian]

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Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

 

[BlueLabel]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

Be an exceptional student. Contribute in class, ask questions after. Impress them with your willingness to work hard and your interest in the material, but don't be irritating. Showing up to office hours for no good reason is a little try-hardy. I mean, sending a quick email along the lines of "look at this cool article/paper related to what we're learning about in class" can go a long way.

PIs from your research experience and doctors you've shadowed are good options for LoRs also.

 

[slopes23]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

I have always found giving the guy a good rub and tug is a great way to break the ice and make sure he remembers me. Remember 👍 this way not 👎 that way.

 

[circulus vitios]

15) Q: I want all of my LOR's to be TOTALLY AWESOME! How can I get to really know all of my professors?

A: Unless you're an incredibly hot female and your would-be LOR author is a single male, your professor has absolutely no interest in getting to know you. Unless, of course, you have something meaningful to contribute to his field or life, such as a productive research assistant.

16) Q: Can't I just go to his office hours to get to know him?

A: Sure, go this person you don't know and try to start up a conversation about something that would interest him. I'm sure someone 20-30 years older than you would love to postpone his busy schedule of writing exams, failing premed students, research activities, grant writing, or going home, to entertain whatever irrelevant bull**** someone half his age has to converse about. Your inorganic chemistry professor doesn't care about getting to know you, he just wants you to get the hell out of his office so he can work or go home, or get to know the incredibly-hot-yet-stupid premed peer of yours.

👍

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've gotten close to a handful of undergrad professors to the point where we hit up happy hour one time (don't ask). In any case, it helps if you're in a smaller class and get more one-on-one time. Participate, ask thoughtful (not those stupid "asking for the sake of asking") questions, and don't be a douche.

 

[The Kraken]

Once you're in upper levels the class size is smaller and you should be getting to really know them by then. Office hours for intelligent questions, no stupid ones. Your mileage will vary with sending articles and studies on class material, depending on the prof but you'll find out. As for convo material, its not hard to ask them what they do in their free time and see what you have in common. They're people too.

 

[Mel Belle]

I've gotten close to a handful of undergrad professors to the point where we hit up happy hour one time (don't ask). In any case, it helps if you're in a smaller class and get more one-on-one time. Participate, ask thoughtful (not those stupid "asking for the sake of asking") questions, and don't be a douche.

Class size was one of the reasons I chose my college. The smallest class I've had so far is about 20 people. The largest about 70. But sitting in the front of every class and asking relevant/meaningful questions makes it even easier. 👍 When I visited my college junior year of high school they said some science classes have 7 people in them. That may be less true now since we have a new science center since then, but upper level classes tend to have smaller class sizes. My freshman bio classes were 60-70 people and there were at least 4 sections. Now sophomore year there are only 2 sections with 60 people.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Class size was one of the reasons I chose my college. The smallest class I've had so far is about 20 people. The largest about 70. But sitting in the front of every class and asking relevant/meaningful questions makes it even easier. 👍 When I visited my college junior year of high school they said some science classes have 7 people in them. That may be less true now since we have a new science center since then, but upper level classes tend to have smaller class sizes. My freshman bio classes were 60-70 people and there were at least 4 sections. Now sophomore year there are only 2 sections with 60 people.

Most of my upper levels were all of the people in my major... Which was ten people.

 

[Mel Belle]

Most of my upper levels were all of the people in my major... Which was ten people.

How small was your school? My class is about 600 people. Apparently about 20% of my school is bio majors. I'm not sure how many people were weeded out after freshman year. I'm a biochem major myself and I only know of maybe 3 other people who are in my major in my class (there are probably at least a few more).

 

[Doctor Strange]

How small was your school? My class is about 600 people. Apparently about 20% of my school is bio majors. I'm not sure how many people were weeded out after freshman year. I'm a biochem major myself and I only know of maybe 3 other people who are in my major in my class (there are probably at least a few more).

Total, my school was about 2500. Our class size at the start was around 500 but is probably closer to 200 now due to weeding out (pharmacy school probs).

 

[sunflower18]

My school is quite small, and my classes and major are subsequently very small. My intro chem class had ~12 people in it, intro psych had ~13, intro bio had ~20. Organic chem had ~22. There are about ~11 chemistry majors in every graduating class.

My point is that it is quite easy to get to know your professors, and they embrace that aspect of my college. I once made an appointment with my Ochem professor and just chatted with him for an hour. I asked if it was okay to just chat, and he said that that was one reason that he is teaching at a small LAC -- because he wants to prioritize getting to know his students above just grading and test-writing. If your school is a supportive academic environment like that, you might have similar luck!!

 

[Koalafied]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

In my personal experience, some professors judge you by the questions you ask from the get-go. Carefully and thoughtfully crafted questions makes a good initial impression.🙂

 

[BioBeaver]

On a similar note, I heard somewhere on SDN that almost 67% of some member's college (big state school) originally listed themselves as on a "Pre-med" track! Like 2/3 of the freshman class wanted to be doctors..... that's unbelievable.

 

[bambam92]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

Try to set the curve in their respective class. For whatever reason if you kill the exams the professors take a special interest in you...at least I have experienced this. 👍

 

[darknight]

Show interest in learning and commitment. It really depends on the professor.

 

[SunsFun]

Wear suit to class. Your profs will notice you.

 

[BlueLabel]

I've gotten close to a handful of undergrad professors to the point where we hit up happy hour one time (don't ask). In any case, it helps if you're in a smaller class and get more one-on-one time. Participate, ask thoughtful (not those stupid "asking for the sake of asking") questions, and don't be a douche.

I can certify that this method works.

 

[Koalafied]

Wear suit to class. Your profs will notice you.

Kinda pretentious and an oxymoron.🙂

 

[BlueLabel]

Wear suit to class. Your profs will notice you.

OK, pledge

 

[Mel Belle]

Wear suit to class. Your profs will notice you.

I don't wear suits but I always dress very nicely. Professional. But still stylish. And heels because that's my signature and I love them. Don't judge me. But that does indeed make me memorable. It also helped me get a ptj at Express hahaha. Definitely more memorable than ripped up sweats or yoga pants with Uggz in terms of style. Just sayin. Obviously a suit is overkill. But you get the message. Your professor may compliment you or ask you why you look so nice. My response, "Well, just another (insert day of week)."

Plus, dressing nice can help perk you up and it makes you feel good. 👍

 

[Koalafied]

OK, pledge

PJ's + carton of milk + Lucky Charms®.😀

 

[BlueLabel]

I don't wear suits but I always dress very nicely. Professional. But still stylish. And heels because that's my signature and I love them. Don't judge me. But that does indeed make me memorable. It also helped me get a ptj at Express hahaha. Definitely more memorable than ripped up sweats or yoga pants with Uggz in terms of style. Just sayin. Obviously a suit is overkill. But you get the message. Your professor may compliment you or ask you why you look so nice. My response, "Well, just another (insert day of week)."

Plus, dressing nice can help perk you up and it makes you feel good. 👍

All you need to dress for success is a dresser stocked and rocked with 3 wolf moon shirts

 

[PreMedRookie]

I cannot imagine having classes as small as you guys are talking about. My freshman bio class had 1,200 students and my upper division class had 400. I love having large classes. My smallest class is my chem lab but that is just for space but it is still around 30.

Isn't it super awkward to have just a few students (like 7 or even 20)?

 

[sunflower18]

I cannot imagine having classes as small as you guys are talking about. My freshman bio class had 1,200 students and my upper division class had 400. I love having large classes. My smallest class is my chem lab but that is just for space but it is still around 30.

Isn't it super awkward to have just a few students (like 7 or even 20)?

Awkward? Not at all. It's much more interactive. You raise your hand, your professor knows your name, you can do small group work during which your professor visits each group and answers questions, etc.

I can't imagine 1000+ people in a class, oh man. You'd be invisible.

 

[SunsFun]

I cannot imagine having classes as small as you guys are talking about. My freshman bio class had 1,200 students and my upper division class had 400. I love having large classes. My smallest class is my chem lab but that is just for space but it is still around 30.

Isn't it super awkward to have just a few students (like 7 or even 20)?

I though I went to a big school and the largest class size was around 300-400. Wow.

 

[PreMedRookie]

Awkward? Not at all. It's much more interactive. You raise your hand, your professor knows your name, you can do small group work during which your professor visits each group and answers questions, etc.

I can't imagine 1000+ people in a class, oh man. You'd be invisible.

I love it but I bet the prof doesn't enjoy giving the same lecture three times each day.

 

[qavaler]

All you need to dress for success is a dresser stocked and rocked with 3 wolf moon shirts

BIG TIME LOLZ

I think I need to throw in my three cents. I am a TA, and I am teaching undergrad labs.

1. Please DO NOT come to your professor and tell him about how bad was your weekend, about the insurance that you cannot pay, or the horrible people around you. This should be discussed with your closest not with your professor. Often the professor that I am working under gives me a look after he walks out after "this type of a conversation." At that point the image of the person is already set.

2. Ask quality questions during the class and office hours. Asking 1 question per lecture is relatively OK. However, do not force the question if there is nothing to ask about. If there is a logic hole or contradiction, you should hit it right there. This shows that you are actively thinking.

3. Being interested in subject, wanting learn more, being positive, and ON TIME is quite important.

4. Do not make it wierd ;p

 

[milkphlegm]

I cannot imagine having classes as small as you guys are talking about. My freshman bio class had 1,200 students and my upper division class had 400. I love having large classes. My smallest class is my chem lab but that is just for space but it is still around 30.

Isn't it super awkward to have just a few students (like 7 or even 20)?

Agreed, not awkward. I knew my professors and the students knew each others names at the least. It made each class like a discussion and was way more stimulating. My general chemistry classes probably had 50-75 people, but most others were around 10-20. Upper division had 5-10. I loved it.

 

[TurkDorian]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I'll definitely be sure to try those! 😀

 

[Quizlet04]

As an actual professor, albeit a part-timer who teaches non-science, I might have some useful insight. I've also taken a fair number of classes, some of them recently during my post-bacc, and was able to grab good recs.

Some points to consider:

I start every semester with zero opinion about you unless you're some sort of weirdo whose name has been ping-ponged around the department. (I had that student this semester and she was exactly as crazy as I'd been told.) Therefore, you can tank or improve your standing based on your own merits.

The best way to make me care about you is to not be bad at life. Show up on time, do your work well, participate, and generally be a student who doesn't make me sigh in aggravation whenever I come across your name. However, if you are terrible at life but are funny and make awesome contributions, you will be able to reduce the amount I dislike you. Then, the sigh will be something like, "FFS this kid could be doing B+/A work if he weren't such a *******".

Stop by office hours with actual questions. Most of the time, I'm just hanging out doing work or playing with the internet. Being able to talk with a kid, especially a kid who isn't bad at life, is a nice distraction. You can also stop by with topical stuff you read in the newspaper, on Cracked, saw on TV, or whatever. Youtube videos are also fun. Show me you're paying attention to the class and applying what you're learning.

Dress can add...nuance to my opinion. The person who comes to class in a wolf shirt won't get notice, unless it's Insanity Wolf, in which case I will laugh. I will admit to preconceived opinions about certain dress styles, which are sadly often borne out and NOT just because of observer bias. Observer bias doesn't make someone decide to blow off 1/2 of the homework for the year.

If you smell bad, I hate you. I had a guy who wore cologne so strong that I couldn't teach on that side of the room. Girls, same thing. Also, bathe. Don't smoke right before class. Make interacting with you non-awful.

I appreciate it when you laugh at my terrible jokes, but it's not required. Being informal with me is something I personally appreciate, but check your professor's attitude before making a well-timed dick joke during class. Match your professor's personality and it'll go over better.

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I need to differ with the personal problems thing. I need my students to let me know when something is going on that can screw up their schooling so I can help them. If you're putting in effort but **** is going ill at home (technical term), let me know. I'll give you an extension and check in on you so you don't feel like you're drowning. I'm a person. I know about life. I had six family members die in 2012, which meant a lot of going to professors and saying that I needed to miss a class/quiz/test for a funeral.

The flip side is that too many problems will mean that I will suggest you take some time off to get yourself in order. Part of my willingness to help a student out stems from that student's overall dedication. The slacker who suddenly has a dead relative is going to get a lot less help from me.

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I more or less followed these guidelines with my own professors. I got to know my TAs, sent links that were funny/appropriate, went to office hours, and tried to be a good student. I got recs from everyone I asked.

 

[AxiomaticTruth]

Best way I found, other than directly working for the professor via research or TA position, was to show enthusiasm in class, whether that be asking questions, participating in discussions, leading your small groups, sitting near the front to be recognizable, asking questions in office hours (even if you know the material, you can always learn more about the exam), etc.

Don't overdo it though, no one likes a brown-nose.

 

[911 Turbo]

Ways to impress the professor: Actually be intelligent and have a genuine interest in the class you are taking.

Too bad 99.9% of premeds fit into 0 of those categories (let alone both)

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hey Guys,

I am going to be going into my second year of University next year and have decided that I should start getting to know some professors who will be able to give me strong reference letters. The thing is, I don't know what I should talk to them about to get them to know and remember me. Aside from going to their office when you have a question, what else should I talk to my professors about. Also, aside from professors, who else would be a good choice for a referee?

Thanks!

To clarify, are you trying to get to know your professors or get to know your professors?
A low cut shirt often works

 

[Instatewaiter]

Or just going to office hours and asking questions may help. You choose.

 

[BlueLabel]

Best way I found, other than directly working for the professor via research or TA position, was to show enthusiasm in class, whether that be asking questions, participating in discussions, leading your small groups, sitting near the front to be recognizable, asking questions in office hours (even if you know the material, you can always learn more about the exam), etc.

Don't overdo it though, no one likes a brown-nose.

This. Also, bring a crossword puzzle so you have something to do for the boring parts.

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

Go to office hours, you think professors would be busy but most of the time when I have went they are on the internet dicking around or grading papers.