- Joined
- Aug 2, 2006
- Messages
- 5
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Hi all!
I've been wondering what seems to be a good way to approach profs. I know that there's not just one set of rules and it probably is not a super big difficulty for most of you regarding this issue. However, I am a little bit shy and I felt awkward when I went to see my profs during the office hours. I couldn't keep the conversation going well like that some other students can do. I myself admire a lot of my professors and would like to get to know them even if I wouldn't want them to write a reference letter or want to find a research opportunity. But the fact that I really respect them makes me feel uncomfortable talking to them. Partly, this is because of the culture I've been broughtup with back in my country.
Also, I thought maybe it's a good idea to talk to them about their research but to talk about their research actually needs deep understanding and knowledge than what I have learned up to this point. So besides asking them some questions about the stuff I didn't understand, I randomly came up with some questions that seemed to be too general, and maybe too personal?. For example, asking them where they graduated from. lol
I was really awkward and I know the profs could tell. And they probably have thought that this student's just weird and not very smart, if they remembered me.
Maybe, those of you who feel comfortable talking to profs can give me some ideas about how you approach them... please! I would really appreciate it!!
I've been wondering what seems to be a good way to approach profs. I know that there's not just one set of rules and it probably is not a super big difficulty for most of you regarding this issue. However, I am a little bit shy and I felt awkward when I went to see my profs during the office hours. I couldn't keep the conversation going well like that some other students can do. I myself admire a lot of my professors and would like to get to know them even if I wouldn't want them to write a reference letter or want to find a research opportunity. But the fact that I really respect them makes me feel uncomfortable talking to them. Partly, this is because of the culture I've been broughtup with back in my country.
Also, I thought maybe it's a good idea to talk to them about their research but to talk about their research actually needs deep understanding and knowledge than what I have learned up to this point. So besides asking them some questions about the stuff I didn't understand, I randomly came up with some questions that seemed to be too general, and maybe too personal?. For example, asking them where they graduated from. lol
I was really awkward and I know the profs could tell. And they probably have thought that this student's just weird and not very smart, if they remembered me.
Maybe, those of you who feel comfortable talking to profs can give me some ideas about how you approach them... please! I would really appreciate it!!