College professors are more than people who stand in front of the class and teach, or the people who upload the instructions for your online class. Each professor has a wealth of knowledge. They are an incredible resource, someone who wants to see you succeed. What does this mean for you?
Ask questions, start discussions and take ownership of your learning! You have someone walking alongside you the whole way. Here are five ways to get the most from your professor.
- Introduce yourself.
Whether you are on campus or taking an online class, introducing yourself to your professor is a great first step in establishing a relationship with one another. After doing this, you will feel more confident when approaching him or her with questions about your academic work. Remember, you don’t need a reason to reach out and introduce yourself. In fact, communicating with them early on in a class shows that you take your schoolwork seriously, and you value their assistance.
- Ask your professor for tips on how to succeed in the class.
Oftentimes, professors can tell you the best way to take notes, study, etc. Every teacher has a different teaching style and different philosophies for grading. Understanding these aspects of the professor in advance can help ensure your success.
- Write down questions as you think of them.
It can be really easy to forget your questions as you get distracted by other work. Keep a pen and paper next to you while doing your work, and jot down questions as they pop into your mind. Then, the next time you have a discussion with your professor, you can be sure to cover all of the topics on your list.
- Learn your professor’s office hours.
Never feel bad about visiting or contacting your professor during his or her office hours. They create these time slots as a resource for you. If you are an online student and prefer to speak over the phone, you can email your professor and try to set up a time during their office hours.
- Go beyond the coursework.
Your professor is an expert in the field he or she is teaching. If you have questions or would like to discuss a topic further, engage in a thoughtful conversation with them. You are enrolled in this class to learn, so use this opportunity to have a conversation about something from the course that you are interested in. You may learn something unique and applicable that was not included in the curriculum!
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