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So besides going to her office hours and asking for help, what are some other ways that I can establish a solid relationship with my professor?
Relationship with Professor
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I'm presuming you want to be developing a professional relationship with your professor here and not a romantic one... ;-)
The ways that I got to know professors during undergrad was mainly by going to their office hours and asking for help. If you're interested in the topic, go up to the professor after class and ask follow-up questions from the day's lecture. It'll be easier to develop a relationship with them if you are interested in more than what's going to be on the test and what your grade is and are able to show them that.
You can also ask to work in one of their labs, if they're a science professor and have a lab. You can either have some sort of project or do something more basic, like cleaning glassware. But I'd think hard to make sure that you like the field they're in and that doing this would help you financially and/or with your future career.
The ways that I got to know professors during undergrad was mainly by going to their office hours and asking for help. If you're interested in the topic, go up to the professor after class and ask follow-up questions from the day's lecture. It'll be easier to develop a relationship with them if you are interested in more than what's going to be on the test and what your grade is and are able to show them that.
You can also ask to work in one of their labs, if they're a science professor and have a lab. You can either have some sort of project or do something more basic, like cleaning glassware. But I'd think hard to make sure that you like the field they're in and that doing this would help you financially and/or with your future career.
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They will like you a lot if your grade is one of the top in his/her class
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Agree, this is pretty much the only and best way. I had the highest grade in Organic chem and biochemistry...My professors loved me and both wrote me the best LOR for pharm school! 😉
I didn't always have the highest grade but I had an A/B average before curve, but talking to my professor on a regular basis, clarifying the concepts, and (because I'm lazy) asking if there were easier ways to solve some of the questions after I had shown that I figured it out already resulted in a pretty good LOR.
If you get a good grade, I'm sure you can still ask for a recommendation but it'd be more generic.
If you get a good grade, I'm sure you can still ask for a recommendation but it'd be more generic.
A BIG way is to sit in the FRONT ROW (yes, first row) and raise your hand and ASK QUESTIONS. Don't sleep. Take notes. Pay close attention. The professor notices. By doing this, a professor of mine who has 200 students in this class knows my name and chats with me. I have never had him before and I have never gone to office hours.
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Nose to butt always worked for me.
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I agree with everyone else... get high grades (A- and up is pretty safe to secure a LOR.. not to say that B's aren't possible as well, but in the A range is pretty safe)..
I also (as 'simple' as that sounds) always say goodbye, and to have a good weekend..day...whatever. I always say hello and ask how they are doing if i see them in the hall way //when I come into the classroom. They are people too =P
I have had really solid relationships w/ my chem teachers due to that- I always say hi/bye.. get A's in their classes.. and talk to them about chemistry for the most part, but I also talk to them about normal day to day things as well =)
I also (as 'simple' as that sounds) always say goodbye, and to have a good weekend..day...whatever. I always say hello and ask how they are doing if i see them in the hall way //when I come into the classroom. They are people too =P
I have had really solid relationships w/ my chem teachers due to that- I always say hi/bye.. get A's in their classes.. and talk to them about chemistry for the most part, but I also talk to them about normal day to day things as well =)
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So if ure looking to get a LOR from that professor, u MUST get an A in his/her class. Any lower than that, then forget it. Anyway... does ur school have a "Dine with a professor" program? Its like the "dine with Shamu" thing at SeaWorld, but depending on which school it should be free. Its a good way to really get to know your professor outside of the classroom without getting too... close.
but what if you want a romantic one?
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haha, then you better start showing some skin around the prof then.
I agree, A is a must, but you don't have to make relations with a science prof though. I asked a graduate student that taught me english for my LOR. The class was small, and so she got to know me and my writing pretty well. So there is not too much need to go for the big prominent prof.
However, one of my chem was the former dean of college of arts and sciences (which is almost like every major lol) at my school. I didn't try to build anything with him, but I guess in this case he would be pretty influential.
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But don't some schools require that at least one LOR has to be from a math/science professor?
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Yes, I highly recommend getting a letter from a science professor.
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Hmm. Emphasis on the relationship (professional i'm assuming) part over the grade part. If you can create a legit relationship with your professor by talking to them and asking for help and whatnot, and even if you don't get the greatest grade, your character will be reflected in the LOR.
Like...
Someone who got an A with only a handful of things to say versus...
Someone who got a B but works extremely hard, knows ins and outs and etc.
I know that wasn't the best example but I'm sure you catch on to what I'm saying haha
Like...
Someone who got an A with only a handful of things to say versus...
Someone who got a B but works extremely hard, knows ins and outs and etc.
I know that wasn't the best example but I'm sure you catch on to what I'm saying haha
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I agree, I overheard a 2 Chem TAs (graduate students i assume) chatting over about their sections over lunch onetime. One of the TAs mentioned that there is this kid that tries so hard but just can't get the chemistry. This person is extremely hard working and is putting so much energy into the topic. The TA then mentioned that basically everybody else that came to see him was to "suck up" to build a good relationship because they don't have much to ask or seem all that interested.
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Have you actually tried the "Dine with a Professor" before? I didn't, but I have a friend who actually did it with Prof Brown. Honestly, I was too chicken to try that out during my undergrad.
That's kind of strange. I wouldn't know what to talk about... I mean, it's not a convention where research and theory is common talk and weird to start talking about each others' families... and I'm not sure it's the best place to ask for homework help. 😵
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I think the hardest part is to initiate the conversation and keep it going for a while...at least to last throughout lunch time. I'd feel comfortable just stopping by at the professor's office for a little chat...makes it a bit informal than at a dining table. It doesn't take place at a fancy restaurant or anything, but the place is called "Faculty Club" on campus.
Dine with a professor program? LOL! that sounds like the exact thing we have here at UCSD. I've never had the guts to do it though!
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Haha yes! But I went with a group of students so there were no awkward moments. I would be really intimidated by professor brown because he is so OUT there... he has a lot of stories to tell. Did u take him?
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Before I asked my professor to write me a letter of recommendation, I asked a blunt question, "Do you think that I deserve to go to pharmacy school even though I don't have a strong GPA?" He did not answer the question, but he decided to ask me questions related to my troubles. After an hour of discussion, he decided to write me a letter of recommendation.
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Thats the type of question you'd ask a close friend.. not a professor. Unless the professor is your uncle who's gotten drunk with you in the past.
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If you cant ask your professor that question, I would how you guys with high GPA request a letter of recommendation. As for me, I don't meander around people. Moreover, I don't necessary ask a professor to write me a letter just because I got high grade in his/her class. I want the professor to also make an effort in understanding me. If they cant do the above, answer my questions satisfactorily, or display a nonchalant attitude towards my affairs, I look for another person.
Sometimes, we forget professors are human beings.
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There is no right or wrong here. However, there are always better questions and wordings. There's a clear difference in being confident vs bold. Your question was very bold. Even bold for a friend.If you cant ask your professor that question, I would how you guys with high GPA request a letter of recommendation. As for me, I don't meander around people. Moreover, I don't necessary ask a professor to write me a letter just because I got high grade in his/her class. I want the professor to also make an effort in understanding me. If they cant do the above, answer my questions satisfactorily, or display a nonchalant attitude towards my affairs, I look for another person.
Sometimes, we forget professors are human beings.
Being bold usually pushes the boundaries of social norms and makes people uncomfortable around you. Making people feel comfortable is the first key to being likable by anyone.
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Interesting Post. Here's my experience as a student and an undergrad TA for Orgo I and II Lab:
Professors are, generally, pretty smart. They know if you're just trying to BS or brown-nose them for a LOR. Just like anyone else you want to strike up a conversation with, find something interesting or relevant to discuss. This should be pretty simple. For orgo class, I went to my prof's office hours when I was stuck on a concept or homework problem. Profs really want to see that students are MAKING AN EFFORT in their class. This is a simple way of showing this. The key here is to visit regularly. It doesn't have to be every office hour, but once a week is a good schedule. This helps build up your relationship with the prof without being the pain-in-the-butt student who is ALWAYS there.
Standing at the front of a large lecture hall, yes, they can see if you're sleeping or talking to your neighbor or just plain zoning out. Sit at the front of the class, PAY ATTENTION, take good notes. I never ask questions during lecture. I generally reserve them for office hours. Profs will tell you there is no such thing as a stupid question. Frankly, there are plenty of stupid questions. Don't ask them during lecture.
People LOVE to talk about themselves. Most professors have interests outside of research and teaching. Look around their office when you go for office hours and find something to chat about. Again, discussing common interests is one of the ways people establish relationships.
Be nice/professional to EVERYONE associated with the class/prof. As a TA, I have my prof's ear. If you're a screw off in my lab, most likely the prof will hear about it at some point.
My prof offered additional study sessions outside of class on Saturday mornings. Out of 200 people who were enrolled in lecture, only about 20 went to these addtl. study sessions. This is a great way to set yourself apart. It shows you're interested in the material and gives you a better student/teacher ratio for being recognized.
ASK for opportunities. After having established some sort of positive relationship, ask how you can help our the professor or department. This may be as simple as helping to pass out exams or doing peer tutoring. I started by volunteering to do peer tutoring. I ASKED to be an undergrad TA. I asked to help grade tests (after I had taken the class so there was no conflict). I asked to be a test proctor.
Grades in the class are important, given. But if all you have is a good grade in the class, that's really all the prof is going to write in your LOR. I remember talking to one prof years ago who had a really bright student who studied constantly and excelled in the prof's class. Since the student had no other interaction with the prof, the prof's letter was one sentence: "So and So has excellent study skills and received an A in my class." Not the most overwhelming recommendation. You'd be surprised how much professors value the things I've outlined much more so than grades alone. That being said, you should get AT LEAST a B in the class. A's are definitely preferred but many B students get excellent LORs based on doing the above-mentioned things.
Hope this helps.
Professors are, generally, pretty smart. They know if you're just trying to BS or brown-nose them for a LOR. Just like anyone else you want to strike up a conversation with, find something interesting or relevant to discuss. This should be pretty simple. For orgo class, I went to my prof's office hours when I was stuck on a concept or homework problem. Profs really want to see that students are MAKING AN EFFORT in their class. This is a simple way of showing this. The key here is to visit regularly. It doesn't have to be every office hour, but once a week is a good schedule. This helps build up your relationship with the prof without being the pain-in-the-butt student who is ALWAYS there.
Standing at the front of a large lecture hall, yes, they can see if you're sleeping or talking to your neighbor or just plain zoning out. Sit at the front of the class, PAY ATTENTION, take good notes. I never ask questions during lecture. I generally reserve them for office hours. Profs will tell you there is no such thing as a stupid question. Frankly, there are plenty of stupid questions. Don't ask them during lecture.
People LOVE to talk about themselves. Most professors have interests outside of research and teaching. Look around their office when you go for office hours and find something to chat about. Again, discussing common interests is one of the ways people establish relationships.
Be nice/professional to EVERYONE associated with the class/prof. As a TA, I have my prof's ear. If you're a screw off in my lab, most likely the prof will hear about it at some point.
My prof offered additional study sessions outside of class on Saturday mornings. Out of 200 people who were enrolled in lecture, only about 20 went to these addtl. study sessions. This is a great way to set yourself apart. It shows you're interested in the material and gives you a better student/teacher ratio for being recognized.
ASK for opportunities. After having established some sort of positive relationship, ask how you can help our the professor or department. This may be as simple as helping to pass out exams or doing peer tutoring. I started by volunteering to do peer tutoring. I ASKED to be an undergrad TA. I asked to help grade tests (after I had taken the class so there was no conflict). I asked to be a test proctor.
Grades in the class are important, given. But if all you have is a good grade in the class, that's really all the prof is going to write in your LOR. I remember talking to one prof years ago who had a really bright student who studied constantly and excelled in the prof's class. Since the student had no other interaction with the prof, the prof's letter was one sentence: "So and So has excellent study skills and received an A in my class." Not the most overwhelming recommendation. You'd be surprised how much professors value the things I've outlined much more so than grades alone. That being said, you should get AT LEAST a B in the class. A's are definitely preferred but many B students get excellent LORs based on doing the above-mentioned things.
Hope this helps.
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Who should I ask for LOR, biology, chemistry or economics professors? Is it a matter? I've just transfered to a new school, I haven't got to know any professors much. Can I ask my professors at my old school to write me a LOR? Thanks.
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It depends on a few things. For starters, how high is their degree? I don't think this is an issue at a university (not sure though), but I know at CC, some professors may only have Masters. I shot to have as many Doctorate's in my LORs as possible. I ended up with three (two in Chem, two in Physics).
Secondly, and more important, who do you feel knows you the best and will give you the best, most well-written recommendation? I would personally try to get your LORs from the biology and chemistry professors and shy away from the economics professor, unless you know that he/she will give you a far and away stronger recommendation than any of the science professors would. Bear in mind, it is a science-based field, so getting recommendations from people in that field helps.
As for your last question, I don't believe there should be a problem with getting your LORs from an instructor at a previous college.
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'A's are NOT a must. As someone mentioned earlier, if all you have to show for yourself is an A in the class, it really won't help you.
You have to interact with the professor. Office hours is a great way. Another great way is to ask about research opportunities in their lab. If all the professor can say about you is you got an A, then it doesn't build a case for you. The admissions committee can SEE you got an A from your transcripts. They are looking for much more detail than that - for more depth and a personal understanding than just grades and numbers.
Also, professors are MUCH better to ask than graduate students. Their LORs are much more heavily weighted than a graduate students' LOR, from my understanding. If you don't know any professor very well, then then your options are to ask the graduate student, or if you have a semester or two left - get to know a professor!!
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omg, not to bash on you, but i had a friend who would go out of his way, push others aside, and yell "GOODBYE PROFESSOR" after each one of our classes hahaha. Everyone knew what he was trying to do, but he'd just shrug like he'd done nothing wrong.
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your avatar is very homoHmmm...I was kinda thinking the same thing when looking at the thread subject...lol
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What a horribly unethical thing to say... did you really just type that?
I guess I can scratch "Close-minded person I hope to never find at a pharmacy as a colleague" off my scavenger hunt list for 2009.
You oughta be ashamed. "That is so gay/homo/queer" is very juvenile. Just how pre-pharmacy are you?
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I don't see homo as even being a derogatory term. I also don't see how you're associating homo with queer.
You having a scavenger hunt in college is funny though, you'll have everything scratched within a year or so.
Lol at being juvenile, i think you're the juvenile for taking things so seriously when they obviously weren't meant to be serious. (If you still don't get it, his avatar is a joke)
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Homo is a derogatory term for gay people. At my (very liberal) school you could get expelled for calling someone a homo and even saying thats homo and having an offended gay person hear could get you in pretty big trouble.
But it's not the getting in trouble that matters, why go around trying to hurt others? if you did not know that most people consider what you said offensive (especially gay people) then you now know.
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i do not go around insulting gay people, nor do i call them homo. When i say "homo" i'm just joking, plus i wasn't insulting spock, i was talking about his avatar.
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Thank you, in fact, i think their association of homo/gay/and queer is an indicator of their thoughts on the matter. I never implied spock was queer.
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No, I'm not sensitive, no more than you are ignorant.
"Homo" is short for homosexual, I'm glad we established the straw man in your argument. However, calling someone a "homo" is CERTAINLY offensive, and is consistently used in the vernacular AS an insult, and therefore no, in conversation, "homo" is NOT an acceptable abbreviation for someone of the opposite sex. To say otherwise is to demonstrate an insensitivity, ignorance, and naivete that has no place in a professional environment.
For example,
"Sally is SO homo." This is an offensive term, and Sally would probably think that was an insult. Correctly, it would be stated, "Sally is a homosexual (lesbian)." This is not offensive.
Let's re-write the scenario.
Phoenician said, "Dude, your avatar is SO black."
This post would be reported to kingdom come - Why? Because racial epithets are not accepted very readily by society. However, slurs and derisive comments aimed at homosexuals as "undesirables" in society are, by and large, tolerated. Except in professional settings such as SDN, where we are held to a standard of conduct.
Imagine I was a homosexual man seeking advice as a pre-pharmacy student. I may be hurt by such a statement, and Phoenician may or may not have meant any insult toward me personally. However, the damage is done. And I'm quite shocked that your HR folks haven't ever put you through an ethics class, that you've never taken an ethics class, or that you've never had a racial/sexual orientation diversity course/class. Shocking...
This is patently offensive and bordering on trolling. No, my "association" with homosexuality was not out of any insult, it is because I was offended by such a rude comment.
His avatar is not "homo", using Antimony's definition, it possesses no sexual orientation. You agreed with a guy that suggested a definition of a word that actually contradicts what you were saying, unless you'd like to state that you think Spock's avatar possesses a sex, either male or female, in which case I could direct you to some excellent therapists.
Bottom line, "homo" is not an acceptable adjective on SDN nor should it be in ANY professional setting. If you use such terms in your every day interactions with your friends, more power to you. However, such comments can be, and are, quite offensive to many people, including me.
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Wow....I didn't know my avatar was mentioned here
...and yes, it's the gayest avatar you can find on here 😀😀
Not you, too.
Le sighe.
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Okay, as someone who went to high school in both in the South and on the West Coast...
Calling something "homo" is more acceptable in the South than it is on the West Coast. It's kind of a way to say something is weird or unusual (which, by the way, your avatar is kind of... odd, Spock87! Where in the world did you find that?)
But on the West Coast, "homo" is not acceptable, even and especially as a way of saying something's odd. In fact, it did start out as a word that was derogatory to homosexuals (as did "queer"). Therefore, these words are not acceptable to most people here. People just don't use those words, especially if they're referring to anything even slightly homosexual-related. People say something's odd or weird, or, if they are referring to something homosexual-related (can't think of a better way of saying it), it's "gay." "Homo" is not used at all, and "queer" tends to be a term more used among homosexual people themselves. To me, it seems like how the n-word is used among some African Americans, sort of a way to re-claim a word that was once used in a derogatory fashion.
Personally, I find the words "homo" somewhat offensive, myself. But I can see that thephoenician88 didn't mean to offend. And Passion4Sci, because of Spock87's avatar happened to be two men bathing together, took "homo" the wrong way.
Although, thephoenician88 and Antimony, if you really don't want to offend people, you really shouldn't be using these words. They started out as a derogatory way to describe a group of people and put them down. Even though some people don't take them that way, people will get upset at hearing/reading them.
Calling something "homo" is more acceptable in the South than it is on the West Coast. It's kind of a way to say something is weird or unusual (which, by the way, your avatar is kind of... odd, Spock87! Where in the world did you find that?)
But on the West Coast, "homo" is not acceptable, even and especially as a way of saying something's odd. In fact, it did start out as a word that was derogatory to homosexuals (as did "queer"). Therefore, these words are not acceptable to most people here. People just don't use those words, especially if they're referring to anything even slightly homosexual-related. People say something's odd or weird, or, if they are referring to something homosexual-related (can't think of a better way of saying it), it's "gay." "Homo" is not used at all, and "queer" tends to be a term more used among homosexual people themselves. To me, it seems like how the n-word is used among some African Americans, sort of a way to re-claim a word that was once used in a derogatory fashion.
Personally, I find the words "homo" somewhat offensive, myself. But I can see that thephoenician88 didn't mean to offend. And Passion4Sci, because of Spock87's avatar happened to be two men bathing together, took "homo" the wrong way.
Although, thephoenician88 and Antimony, if you really don't want to offend people, you really shouldn't be using these words. They started out as a derogatory way to describe a group of people and put them down. Even though some people don't take them that way, people will get upset at hearing/reading them.
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That's what I thought....LOL (minus the disturbing part. It's FUNNY!!)
Can we just see it as an avatar with two men bathing and stop being so sensitive, people?? LOL 😀😀😀
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Keep your postings both civil and on-topic please - no one wants to hear banter. We are all working towards being professionals, act in a way that is in accordance with that goal.
But... it's Spock and Kirk... I mean... come on... this takes their loving relationship to a whole 'nother level.
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I don't know anything about you, Antimony, but I'm sure there's some words that you find offensive, either because you could be described by them, or someone you love could be. If you respond to it, that does not make you sensitive. If you don't ever respond to it, well, that's unfortunate. The world will never change that way.
I don't know exactly what patient interaction has to do with anything. I routinely visit family, and some of my family members say derogatory things about groups of people, like homosexuals. Some of my best friends are gay guys, and I find words against them offensive. When the people saying things anti-homosexual are my family, I call them on it. I say that I don't want to hear it. When they're friends of family, I somewhat ignore it. But other times, I do my best to change the subject and sometimes even call them on it, as politely as possible, even if it's just asking them a question about why they think they do.
Just because I may find things that patients say offensive does not mean that I should just ignore everything I find offensive. I can't change their ideas, nor should I compromise patient care because of what they say. But neither will I always ignore it.
