Getting to Know Your Professors
One commonly recommended tip for college students involves getting to know at least a few of their professors. This is good advice for all students because it makes it easier to seek help when one needs it, but it is especially important for students who may need faculty to write letters of recommendation for them. Graduate school applications typically require 3 letters of recommendation, and it is usually a good idea to make sure at least 2 of them come from professors who are able to write about one's potential for success in graduate school. Aside from taking their classes or working in one of their labs as a research assistant, how might a student get to know some of his or her professors?
The Counseling & Wellness Center at the University of Florida shared some great information on how students can approach a professor for help, and much of what they recommend is useful in the broader context of getting to know one's professors. They suggest breaking the process down into four simple steps:
- Identifying Reasons for Seeking Help
- Determining When to Meet
- Organize Your Talk with Your Professor
- Talk with Your Professor
With regard to Step 1, it is okay to seek out a professor to introduce yourself even if you do not need help at the moment. For example, you might stop by during a professor's office hours to introduce yourself, reminding them which of their classes you are taking and telling them that you are thinking about applying to graduate school in a particular area related to their field. Even a brief conversation like this will make it easier for you to request a letter of recommendation at a later date should you decide to do so.
It is also a good idea to heed the advice presented in Step 4 about knowing your professor's name and appropriate title. This is good advice not just for face-to-face meetings but for all contact with them, including phone calls and emails. Emails that begin with "Hey [Firstname]" are unlikely to be well-received, and "Dr. [Lastname]" or "Professor [Lastname]" are safer bets.
Tags: student success
