Three Ways to Make a Good Impression
on Professors
by Crystal Jonas
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First impressions stick
80% of the time. Make sure you start
classes off on the right foot.
About 85% of your success in life,
rests on your ability to get along well with
others. This
includes gaining and keeping good rapport
with the professor. If he
likes your attitude, you’re much more
likely to max out that discretionary 10% that
has a significant influence on your grade.
Numbers #1 and #2:
Go early; stay late
Ok, you don’t have to keep sitting
there minutes after the class ends. You
should, however, come a few minutes early and
stay though the entire class. No
need to be the last person to leave, just don’t
create a draft trying to get out the door at
the end of class.
How early do you need to come to
class? Early
enough that you have your book and notepaper
out and your pen poised and ready to go
before the professor even opens his mouth.
Why?
Because often, he has either just
taught a class or reviewed his notes, and
wants to make sure he makes some critical
points before they slip his mind. Sometimes,
students will be talking to him just before
class starts, and maybe they’ve got the
same question they need answered. He
will use those first few moment of class to
clear up the issue for the entire class.
This
is prime time stuff here. Do not
miss it.
Also, your prof may wrap up the class
making sure he touches on and reviews key
concepts one more time before you go. Remember
that key concepts are testable material.
Your
habits are noticed!
A tiny transgression that’s
more damaging than you’d think: Coming
a little late to class or leaving a
little early.
Be aware of
the image you project in the classroom. Whether
you realize it or not, something as
seemingly insignificant as coming in a
minute late from time to time, or
packing up with the prof is still
talking and slipping out a moment early
makes you look bad.
It suggests disrespect of the
teacher and the class. Whatever
your reason for being late, correct the
situation so you can be where you need
to be when you need to be there. If
you absolutely must be late or leave
early because of an appointment you
must attend, let the prof know ahead of
time.
Coming a bit late or leaving a bit
early, unless it’s absolutely necessary,
and you’ve mentioned it to the teacher
beforehand, makes you look bad. It may seem
as though you don’t like the class or
respect the professor. It may
appear that you don’t plan your time well,
so you can’t get there on time. You
may seem (gasp!) lazy and thoughtless. Now
that may be a lot to read into being late and
leaving early, however, all the professor has
to go on is what she sees, not your reasons
for doing it.
And when you do go to class, BE there. Sit as
close to the front as is comfortable, focus,
come prepared, take part in active listening,
and note taking. When the time is right, jump
on in and ask a question. Answer
a few, too.
It’s your class, make the most of
it.
Way #3:
Stand out in a good way
Stand out in
the crowd, let your teachers know you
care.
You’re one of 357 students in
an intro History class. How
do you let your professor know who you
are?
In three easy steps:
1.
Sit no further than the
third row, right in the center
2.
Always look attentive
3.
Make an appointment early
in the semester so you can meet one on
one with the professor. Ask
for some clarification on one of the
topics he’s been presenting, or for
some help narrowing down your focus on
a paper you’ll write for that class.
Let him know
that you are paying attention and care
about learning. Introduce yourself soon
in the semester.
You will be
remembered positively.
©
Crystal Jonas
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