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Your relationship with your professor is incredibly important. A solid professor-student relationship will ensure a better communication system, a better chance for end-of-semester appeals, and maybe even a better grade. Further down the road, a professor can write references or recommendations for your career. He can also be a valuable addition to your network when you graduate, especially if you’re working in his field.
So how can you make sure you’re maintaining the best relationship possible with your professor? Here are some tips.
- Don’t try too hard. Buttering up a professor makes it look like you’re only in it for the grade. Don’t suck up– your fellow students will hate you and your professor will see right through you.
- Respect their knowledge. They’ve worked really hard to get where they are. You took the SATs and wrote an application essay. No one’s saying you didn’t work hard, but they’ve written and defended theses and are published in their fields. Give them the respect they deserve. If you spot an error, bring it up respectfully. You don’t know everything. Don’t pretend to.
- Ask intelligent questions. This proves that you’re paying attention and engaged in the material. Do not beat a dead horse over a much-discussed topic, however.
- Read the assigned reading. The easiest way to irritate a professor is by not reading what they assigned.
- Participate in discussion. Don’t let a professor pose a question to a deathly silent class. Respond to their questions and help them get a lively discussion going.
