Advice
Once Upon A Time Your Professor Was a Freshman
By Marcy Kraus, dean of freshmen and director of the College Center for Academic Support
Nearly a decade ago, Harvard professor Richard Light noted in his newly published book Making the Most of College that the "single most important bit of advice" he shares with his advisees is to "get to know one faculty member reasonably well ... and also to have that faculty member get to know you reasonably well." Remarkably, many otherwise successful college students don't actively seek out opportunities to get to know their professors even though the benefits of such relationships are self-evident. Why might this be the case? Many students report that fear or shyness prevent them from approaching professors. Others think their professors are too busy or not interested in getting to know them. Simply put, many students aren't sure how to take those initial steps.
As advisors, we often coach students in the art of getting to know your professors. Some tips include:
- If office hours are available, use them. Avoid sending complicated lengthy questions and requests to professors by email, when a face-to-face meeting is more appropriate.
- Introduce yourself in the conversation and say something about why you are interested in their subject matter. Remember, your professor was once a college student too!
- In class, sit in the first several rows, show genuine interest in the subject, and participate in class discussions.
- Ask your professors how they decided to pursue their academic discipline, where they chose to attend graduate school, and other questions that demonstrate an interest in getting to know them.
- Invite faculty to attend an out of class event, perhaps to give a talk to a student group. But don't expect faculty to plan the event for you.
- Consider approaching a faculty member who teaches a subject of great interest to you, to ask about the possibility of independent study or participating in research. Come prepared to the meeting by doing some research in advance. Again, don't expect the faculty member to plan the project out for you.
- Be respectful of your professor in class and out. That includes avoiding all of the big classroom "don'ts"…don't text, check email, sleep or surf the web during class.
- When sending emails to your professor, understand that s/he may be receiving dozens of emails a day during key times in the semester. Use email wisely and be sure to address your professors appropriately.
- Be honest with your professors when course-related difficulties arise.
In his book, Richard Light reports that upon graduation, his students often reflect about the professors they met during their academic careers, and the powerful impact they had on their lives. Indeed, such relationships can make the difference between students who "survived" and students who "thrived" during their years in college.
