How to get to know a professor

[closertofine]

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This is my last semester of college, and I realize that I am going to have a hard time finding science profs to give me letters of rec when the time comes next year to apply to med school. So even though I don't like to think of brown-nosing, it would really be helpful if I could somehow get to know my science profs this semester...and I could use some tips.

One class I have really interests me...but it's a lecture of about 60 people...and I guess I could go visit the prof during office hours, but I don't really have a good reason (excuse!) to do so... no big assignments coming up or anything.

And even though the material in lecture seriously fascinates me, I don't know how I could discuss any of it with the prof or let her know that I find the class interesting without seeming like a very obvious suck-up.

One small thing I thought of...I recently read an article in my local paper that relates to a topic we've discussed...I thought about sending it to her via email...but again, I don't want to be too obvious, plus I wouldn't want to be one of those people who forwards annoying mail to people they know!

I'm probably overanalyzing this whole thing, but I could seriously use some advice on what to do. I have a similar problem with another class...the material interests me, but I don't know what reason I would give for meeting with the prof during office hours.

Any ideas?

Thanks! 🙂

 

[UCLAstudent]

I have made a huge effort to get to know all of my professors. First of all, I recommend that you sit in the front row, especially in your large classes. Your professors will be able to recognize you, and you can make small talk before class starts.

OH are important. It doesn't matter if you don't have any questions. Chances are, someone else will. OH are a great way to get to know your professors.

Basically, I did the things that I have listed for you, and I don't think I have had a professor who doesn't know who I am. Most of them know my name. So far (I'm only a sophomore), two professors have OFFERED me letters of recommendation, unprompted. I have several more on the way. It sounds like you are uncomfortable with going to OH, but really, you need to be gutsy if you want to get some good LOR.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[closertofine]

thanks for the tips...I know I should have made more of an effort to get to know my profs, but I only decided I was going to apply to med school this year.

I'm ok with going to office hours, as long as I have some sort of explicit purpose...when you said that if I don't have a question, someone else will, were you thinking of private office hours? Because with these profs, office hours are one-on-one...no one else to ask questions, if that's what you were thinking of.

So should I find something in the material that's not quite clear to me and go ask her about it in OH? Or should I just go to introduce myself...which seems like it might be a little awkward to me, but maybe not....

Thanks again!

 

[beanbean]

1) Sit in the front row

2) Greet your professor with a handshake and an introduce yourself some day before or after class early on in the semester.

3) Let your professor know that you are very interested in the material to be covered in the course and why.

4) Even if you understand the material, go to the professor's office hours. Go a level deeper than what is presented in class and ask questions about more complex material.

5) If this class is relevant to medicine, talk to your professor about your interest in medicine and how this class will be helpful to you in your future studies.

6) Get one of the highest grades in the class, especially on the first exam, to help you stand out from the crowd.

Talking with and getting to know your professors is not brown-nosing!

 

[UCLAstudent]

I didn't know you were talking about private office hours. 🙂 At my school, the office hours are public (listed on the syllabus). Either way, it would still be good for you to go to OH. Even if it is awkward, you are still getting to know your prof. and I think it will pay off in the long run.

 

[Iffy premed]

you only have 60 people in the class? I had to try to suck up with 300 other people in the lecture. It seems that you have alot of things that you can talk to the prof about. Doesn't have to be about the class assignments. If the prof has research, read up on it, and "express" "genuine" interest.
Don't be afraid, most profs are nice, plus, that is what office hours are for, they are not suppose to do anything else during that time

 

[tBw]

what kind of subjects? I guess I can't imagine a subject where I would have to invent questions or ask questions I already knew the answer to to have something to say in OH - in every class I've ever taken there have always been aspects I have not understood, or examples I have worked through which I couldn't do, or surrounding reading I did from bits of the textbook we didn't cover that I could go ask about - even in organic chem which didn't really interest me in the least!

It is essential to go to OH as those really are the students professors will remember. I personally wouldn't go for emailing an article but I would go to OH to discuss and article I had read. However, I would also suggest not 'forcing' the relationship - some profs really aren't very personable or interested in students and going to the OH and getting letters from such profs is not very worthwhile....even if you have limited selection it's still important to be careful in who you ask.

bleargh - sorry, when I started typing this reply I really thought I had something intelligent to add, but somehow I lost my thread... 😉

 

[CD]

Oh dear! if going to office hours makes one a brown noser....then I guess I'm a number 1 brown noser! I returned to my college career (non-trad student) with the intent to ENJOY my college career. I decided to meet everyone I could, students and faculty alike and make as many friends as God allowed. That included professors! Office hours were a great way to meet my fellow students and my professors (not to mention gaining a great handle on the material) Most of them LOVE seeing the "light turn on" for us students. While I drew certain bounderies with my professors during the time I was their student, once finished with the course I tried to stay in touch. You'd be surprised how much most professors really WANT to know how former students are doing....after all, they took the time to teach you! (okay there are a few who really aren't interested in the student, but most are). General chemistry is two years behind me, but last summer I invited my prof and his wife to dinner at our home and you know what? THEY CAME! They were thrilled to be invited, to actually meet a students family and see their life in action. I NEVER thought of this as brown nosing....I honestly never thought about it. I just enjoy my profs and I think they enjoy me. I don't beleive being a friend is brown nosing, whatever my classmates may say. Organic chem occured a year and a half ago for me, but my organic prof is a dear friend. I'm honestly interested in her life (she's adopting a child this year). On another note, a prof that I wouldn't really consider a friend was my advanced organic prof. I practically LIVED in his office. I was determined to get an A, not because I felt the outside pressure to get one, but because I WANTED to learn the material very well......for ME. When the term ended (and I'd spent EVERY office hour in his office), he said I had been a "joy" to teach, and that I had made it "fun" for him because he enjoyed watching "the light turn on" for me.

This difference between my experience, and the "brown noser" I think, is the motivation. Prof's know if they are being used. And they know if you really want more information. No one likes to be USED, but everyone likes to feel useful....that they have something to contribute to society, and for teachers, something to contribute to their students learning. As people, they also know if you really care about them as people.

BEst of luck to you!