As a faculty member at a university, I’m often approached by freshmen who ask me for advice on how to make a great impression with their professors. This is understandable: Professors can become important connections and friends after college. They can introduce you to professionals that are currently working in your industry of choice and provide you with increased attention and mentorship. There are many good reasons to impress your college professor, but how do you do it?
Make a Powerful First Impression
According to Psychology Today, a powerful first impression is the first step to impressing your professor. How do you go about making a powerful first impression? This is what I’ve noticed in my students that have left me with a favorable impression:
Attend the first day. The beginning of a new semester is a stressful and hectic time for any student. Some students skip the first day of class. But if you wish to make a good impression on your professor, you must attend the first day and be on time. Showing up late, or not at all, communicates to your professor that his class is not your top priority. Even in a large class your professor will notice your absence (I know I do).
Turn off your electronics. Most students have a laptop, a smartphone and maybe even a tablet. Turn them off. I can tell if my students are taking lecture notes or looking at Facebook instead. You’ll impress your professor, and benefit yourself, if you give him your full attention.
Be punctual. If you must miss a class, reach out to your professor to let him know that it was for a valid reason. A simple email will keep you in the professor’s good graces. To truly impress your professor, strive for perfect attendance and show up on time. Your punctuality will show your enthusiasm for the topic and earn you individualized attention. I know I always feel the best about my students who do this.
Make a good impression online. While attendance, punctuality and proper use of electronics are more difficult to measure with online courses, they make themselves apparent in student performance. Some online courses require you to participate in live lectures. Meeting deadlines is the mark of a good student, live or remote. Whether you are earning a master of public health online or simply completing core credits, you can still make a positive impression. I’ve taught several online courses over the years and I’ve witnessed this firsthand.
These few positive character traits will set you apart from the majority of the class. With students becoming increasingly distracted by technology and skipping classes, professors quickly take note of those who abstain from these practices.
Do Good Work
Showing up on time for every class and using your electronics only when appropriate will set you apart from your classmates; however, this is just the beginning. You must now produce quality work. As cliché as it sounds, I’ve found that simply paying attention in class, taking good notes, and reading all assigned support materials will put you in good stead when quizzes, mid-terms and finals come around. Your scholarship will become evident in the work you turn in, your class participation and your exam results. I can tell the students who are not “tuned in” are easily. It reflects in their grades.
Your work must be top quality. There are no shortcuts. Never turn in subpar work. And perhaps most importantly, participate by asking insightful questions and contributing to class discussions. Your participation conveys your passion for and understanding of the subject, which will truly impress your professor. If you’re pursuing a masters in human services, your impressed professor will be able to provide some career-enhancing references for you after graduation.
It Pays to Impress Your Professor
You’ll have to go above and beyond simply passing the course to truly impress your professor. With every class, assignment and exam you must illustrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the subject mater. Once you have earned your professor’s admiration, you’ll receive individualized help, mentorship – and even some real-world connections that will help you once you graduate. I can tell you that putting the extra time into impressing your professor will certainly pay off.
Photo Credit
Image from The Microsoft Office Clipart Collection
Guest Author Bio
Charles Kensington
Charles Kensington is a contributing writer and longtime faculty member at a large university.
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