getting to know your professor

[woohoo]

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I'm about to start the new school year and have decided that I should get to know my professors. Every single last one of them. Am I the only one who's had a hard time with this? It seems that every student in the class sits in the front row and laughs at all the of the professor's lame jokes. Don't get me wrong, I like meaningful conversation but I want to get to know my teachers without looking like I'm another brown-noser who's looking for something. Any suggestions?

 

[vixenell]

Take full advantage of office hours. Not enough students do. Even if you completely understand the class, ask the teacher to watch you solve the problem(s) or explain the concepts. After every exam, meet with them (if they don't mind) to go over what you missed (instead of asking "why didn't i get x points for this," ask "how can I approach this problem more effectively in the future"). If appropriate, talk to them about your future med school plans (even in passing) so that when the time comes to ask for LORs, it won't be a come out of nowhere. Don't treat their classes as pre-requisites or admissions requirements; approach every subject as though it is the most interesting subject in the world.

If the teacher's jokes aren't funny, don't force yourself to laugh. They can tell.

 

[spumoni620]

the best way to get to know professors is by 1) genuinely becoming interested in the material and 2) asking them when you need help. if you're interested in the topic, ask them about their research, or to expand on points covered in lecture. if you're not at least 70% interested in the material, then don't pretend as though you are--switch to #2. if you approach them regarding questions you have on homework/reading, this usually pleases them b/c it shows you actually are doing the homework and gives them insight into your thinking process and determination to do well. if you go often enough and are sincere (read: not hypocritical or "brown-nosing") usually they will then ask you conversationally about your background, interests, etc. of course, it also helps if you do well on initial tests and quizzes...

some professors aren't all that responsive, while others will become close mentors and friends. it varies...but it's always good not to go in with the sole motivation of "what's in it for me"--rather look at it as a way to gain insight into an intelligent person's mindset and academic maturity. go in w/an open, sincere mind and you will be pleased with the results.

 

[Sophie]

Good for you! 😀 I'm trying to do that this year as well. Don't let a lack of questions to ask stop you; that's the only reason I never went to office hours in the past, and I totally regret it now. Some professors are even cool with you just going into office hours to chat about random topics with them. I finally went to my Bio prof's OH last week and we ended up going out to lunch (with a few other students) and talking for hours about all sorts of stuff from plays and musicals to the way nudity is viewed differently around the world. It was so much fun!

There are also professors that aren't so wonderful. During the one OH that I went to of my Chem prof last quarter he asked me my plans (and I was thinking "oh yay! he cares") and then went on a rant about how hard it is to get into med school, how so many people are premed that shouldn't be, and told me I should really consider doing something else! Without even knowing anything about me! Obviously if you get a professor like this it's probably a waste of time to go to their office hours unless you really have questions you need answered.

 

[harrypotter]

I think office hours are awesome. After lecture I hate having to ask the prof anything because they are usually mobbed! I met my mentor by just going to office hours and asking a lot of questions. hey, who doesn't feel smart when someone asks you lots of questions?

 

[AlternateSome1]

Office hours are pretty good. I had skipped about half of my general chem class, but I ended up going to see my teacher and asked about his research and I've been a research assistant ever since. It worked out well because he ended up being a LOR writer for me and he paid me to work for him over the summer, which helped since my alternative was to pack up and head back to my parents' place! 😱 I also wouldn't feel too bad about professors trying to sway you from medicine. The one I do research for always jokes around about converting me (from psych to chem major) and about going to grad school rather than med school. They are just endorsing their career path. 🙂


~AS1~

 

[carrigallen]

a few tips:

Don't go on about being pre-med. In my opinion, it is arrogant to say your "premed" until you actually start applying to med school, so don't talk about the dubious ambitions you share with a good percentage of your classmates. Stay open to other fields, professors like this, and more importantly, you can't be sure of being anything yet. The more mature you are, the more the profs will like you. This means being considerate, reserved, and punctual. Handwritten thank-you notes/letters are almost a lost art, but they are a powerful way of showing you care.

Chances are you share some hobbies with your profs. Running, raquetball, cuisine tastes, etc.. doing sports or ec's with students helps revive youthful nostalgia for profs, and you get to know your professor better too. It is hella hard to find a reliable babysitter/housesitter nowadays too. Especially lunch (that is, once you are friends) is one of the best ways to find out more about them.

Stay away from professors who rub you the wrong way, especially if the feeling is shared by others. Generally tho profs are awesome, feel free to visit during office hours. There's something unique to collegiate life, talking about Blake with a professor, in their expansive study, while overlooking a tree-lined avenue full of students heading to class. Maybe this is the one stage in our lives when we are most pluripotent, capable of doing anything, becoming anything. And none of it, however distal to your final destination, will be in vain.