by Amelia Schaffer

Created on: July 22, 2009

Developing better relationships with your professors can help you do well in academics and other opportunities. Professors who know you and your work well can write good recommendation letters or help you discover new opportunities for research, internships, or graduate school. Here are some tips for getting "in" with your professors and making the most of your working relationships.

1. Be a good student. Professors will notice and remember you more if your work stands out. Always keep on top of the reading and hand in your assignments on time.

2. Participate in class. Sit near the front of the classroom, take good notes, and participate in class discussion. This will show your professors that you are interested in their subjects and are invested in creating a good learning experience.

3. Go to office hours. Most students don't take advantage of professors' office hours. If you don't need extra help, go to office hours and ask the professor for more information about an interesting subject that was brought up in class, either for a paper or for your own independent research. Professors like it when students show dedication and initiative.

4. Write original research papers. Don't use the same tired old subjects that the professor has seen a thousand papers on already. Pick something unusual, even if it means that you will limit your available sources. By researching an original topic, you will make yourself and your work memorable to the professor and establish yourself as a student of great motivation and one who can handle a challenge.

5. Get to know your professor outside of class. This works better if you are at a smaller school instead of a large institution where professors have hundreds of students to handle, as well as their research. But if have a chance before or after class, or if you run into the professor on campus, try to strike up a conversation that has nothing to do with school. Talking to your professors outside of class may feel awkward at first, but it will help you get used to speaking with them so that you will feel more comfortable asking about academic issues.

6. Keep in touch with your professor after the class is over. Even if you don't have a professor for another class again, you can stay "in" with them over e-mail, by dropping by during their office hours, or by sharing some of your research in their field. Many professors would be more than happy to continue helping an intelligent and dedicated student such as yourself even if you are no longer enrolled in their classes.

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