Why is having a relationship with professors important? Building a relationship with your college professors can make a difference, both in and outside of the classroom. Maybe you’re thinking to yourself right now that in high school you’ve always been able to build a great rapport with your teachers, and that’s probably true; however, there are several academic differences between high school and college. For one, your class size can easily go from 30 students in your Algebra 2 class to 300 students in a lecture hall. How will your professor ever be able to get to know you, or even learn your name?
Well, it may require a bit more effort on your part, but it’s worth it! Here are some ways to stand out in a large class:
- Ask questions.
- Don’t rush out of class, stay for a few extra minutes.
- Utilize office hours, even if you don’t need help. Pop in and say hello!
Now that we’ve identified a few easy ways to get to know your professors, let’s talk about the benefits of getting to know them; seniors this is extra important for you! Interacting with professors is great preparation for the professional world. Think back to when you really wanted to get into your top college and were considering teachers in high school to write a letter of recommendation for you. Now, fast forward four years, and you really want to get a job that directly relates to your major. A good letter of recommendation from a college professor for a job or internship can be a huge help toward getting you that job. Your professors can also be a great source of networking and likely have connections with professionals in your field.
Getting to know your professors can help you have a more positive attitude toward learning, make classes more fun and offer you professional opportunities.