Building strong relationships with professors

It can be hard to meet new people at university. There are also so many opportunities to choose from, so how do you pick the right ones? For the amount of money you are spending on tuition, you want to be sure that you are having a good time at university. This is the perfect time to ask for guidance from professionals who have a deeper understanding of their field than you might. Digging deeper into your preferred field this way pays off in the end; not only will you gain invaluable connections, but you can even earn experience through these actions. Here are some tips on how you can build stronger connections with your professors!

Maintaining positive student–professor connections is important because connecting personally with your professors provides networking opportunities even after the course is over. Professors can add value to your university experience beyond lectures and assignments by introducing you to new opportunities.

For one, they provide academic support and guidance. Professors are great mentors who guide students through their academic life. Building rapport with a professor enables students to gain access to insights, feedback, and academic support. Looking past the course curriculum, professors can offer feedback on course selection, research opportunities, and potential career paths.

        During university, you may need recommendation letters for internships, graduate school applications, and scholarships. The best recommendations come from credible professionals who can speak to personal experience with the applicant. If your professors know you well, they can add value to your application by creating a great recommendation letter.

Professors also enlist motivated students to assist with research projects, which builds experience and adds to your resume. Professors typically know other professionals in their field and are well-connected. Therefore, they can help you find research and other graduate school opportunities, and with alumni who are in professional positions. So, if you are thinking about building a good relationship with your professor, the following tips will help.

Remember to attend office hours regularly. It is one of the most effective ways to build proper relationships with professors. This allows you to talk one-to-one with your prof outside of the classroom. Office hours give you time to ask questions about the material, seek advice about assignments, or discuss a topic that interests you. Regularly attending office hours shows that you are engaged and committed to your learning. You will form a deeper academic connection with your professor outside of the classroom. You can try asking about their research or career path. This can help you understand their field of work better.                   

Try to stay engaged in class. Active class participation is key to building solid relationships with faculty members. Professors will remember students who engage with class material, ask questions, and contribute to group discussions. Showing enthusiasm and effort helps even if you don’t feel as confident, because professors appreciate students who make a genuine effort to learn. Be present at all of your lectures, take notes, and be attentive. When participating, make sure that your questions are relevant and purposeful.

Communicate professionally and respectfully. Effective communication is essential in a student-faculty relationship. Even if you are communicating via email or in class, it is important to be respectful. When writing emails, maintain a professional tone, and address them as Dr. or Professor to preserve respect. Create concise, clear messages and be polite and direct. Also, be mindful of their time. Professors are busy with teaching, administrative duties, advising students, and many other things, so come prepared with questions.

Seek feedback and be open to constructive criticism. Take criticism as a chance to improve and grow rather than as a sign of weakness. Professors want their students to succeed, and are often willing to give feedback. After receiving feedback on assignments or exams, reflect on your results. If you show that you are willing to learn from your mistakes, then you are putting in the effort to develop maturity and a growth mindset. Over time, your professors will see you as a student who is willing to improve, strengthening your relationships.

Show gratitude and acknowledge their support, because professors usually go the extra mile to make sure their students succeed. After receiving help from a professor, sendthank-you u email or express your gratitude in person. This shows that you value their time and effort, and it also strengthens your connection. If a professor in particular has impacted your academic or personal growth, consider expressing to them how they’ve influenced you. This encourages professors to continue supporting you.

Try getting involved in departmental research or activities. Many departments offer opportunities for students to participate in research, attend academic seminars, or assist in organizing events. This will enable you to interact with professors outside the classroom, giving you a chance to collaborate with faculty members and show commitment to your field. If you’re interested in a professor's work, don’t hesitate to express yourself and ask for further opportunities to get involved.

Building strong relationships with professors and maintaining them takes time, so be patient and don’t expect to form a close bond after one office visit. Be consistent with your attendance, and look for opportunities to learn and grow. Your relationships with your professors will strengthen over time as you get to know them better. This is a valuable part of your university experience, and you will gain an advantage because of their support in university and afterwards, too. So, don’t forget to show up for your prof’s office hours next time!