How to Form Relationships with Professors

I know! I was skeptical, too. I went into college thinking going to get coffee with professors and talking to them about non-academic things was a load of B.S. Honestly, I assume a lot of college-related tips and insights are sort of B.S. But, as a senior, I can promise you that it is possible to form relationships with professors that go beyond sitting in their class.

There are some professors whose office hours I visit to chat and others who I tell about my blog and it’s lovely. Plus, it’s important to form relationships with professors. It can help you learn industry insights, make networking connections for internships and jobs, have a great reference during your career hunt or grad school application process and they can even be a great source of advice. Plus, when you make strong connections with professors they become a wonderful resource.

To clarify, by “relationships with professors” I am not talking about some PLL Aria and Ezra, student and teacher kind of business. Don’t do that. I digress. Here’s how to make some strong, genuine (non-morally ambiguous) connections with your college professors.

1. Choose Professors Carefully

It’s generally easiest and most helpful to form a relationship with professors who are somewhat relevant to you. Typically, try to choose someone in your major or someone who is doing something you admire or are interested in. Think of the professors you have or have had that you admire the most. In fact, you don’t even need to have had that professor. If there’s someone in the department you admire, there’s no harm in dropping them an e-mail.

2. Send Thoughtful E-mails

Saw an article covering something you learned in the course? Perhaps you listened to a great Ted Talk and your professor is always talking about how much they love them. Maybe you read the book or listened to the podcast they suggested in class? Send a quick e-mail letting them know. Keep it short, keep it sweet.

For example, just last week I remembered how one of my favorite professors would put Nicolas Cage memes on our exams and in her slideshows. When I found a new Nicolas Cage meme I sent it to her with, “Happy Monday! Remembered your affinity of Nic Cage memes and thought this might brighten your week. I look forward to having you again as a professor this fall!”

For another professor, I asked her in more detail about something we covered in class because I was mentioning it in an article I was freelancing. She was so excited that I was using in-class information for outside work while writing an article for a website. There are plenty of ways to connect and stay connected with professors.

3. Participate in Class

It’s easier to form a relationship with professors when you are an active student. They’ll remember you when you approach them after class and they’ll know your name if you pop by office hours.

4. Stay in Touch

Even if you’ve graduated or are no longer in a course with them, sending a quick e-mail thanking them for teaching you something that’s since come in handy or congratulating them on a recent publication is always sweet. This is a great way to build your network and maintain connections.

5. Stop by Their Office Hours

This is obvious but major! It’s generally fine to stop by a professor’s office hours even if you don’t have a specific question and just want to chat a bit.

Do be respectful of any students also waiting to speak to the professor or ask for help with assignments. That’s a priority over chatting. If you notice a line forming outside of his or her office, try to cut your conversation short and say “I’m glad I got to speak to you this morning but it looks like a lot of people want to speak to you today! I’ll come back at a less busy time. See you in class tomorrow!” o something along those lines.

6. Ask for Help

Even if it’s not for that specific course. Asking someone for a favor has been said to psychologically make someone like you more. This can also apply to professors. Asking professors for help with a paper or project can be beneficial and can definitely help you to form relationships with professors. Just make sure you ask first and are respectful of their time, they may be busy and only have some time to spare.

7. Be Respectful in Their Course

I don’t know about you, but if someone in my class was being an ass hole and then tried to approach me afterward to chat about my experience and the course, I’d be peeved. A big part of making a genuine connection and forming relationships with professors is being a good student in their class. That doesn’t have to mean getting an A, but it does mean trying your best and showing you’re putting your best foot forward. It also means showing up on time and, you know, not dozing off in class.

8. Ask for Feedback

This will help you get better grades and it’ll also help you form relationships with professors. Asking for feedback on your work has so many perks:

• You learn and improve! You won’t make the same mistakes again.
• You show your professor that you respect and value their feedback.
• It can boost your grade. Students who express a desire to improve are often viewed more positively when it comes time for grading.

9. Ask About Their Work

Everyone loves talking about themselves. Professors especially love talking about their experience and expertise. A simple search on the internet can reveal things your professor has studied, articles they’ve published and even previous jobs they held. There’s no harm in asking them about it, especially if it’s a field you hope to explore or a career path you’d like to follow.

10. Say Thanks

Even after your course is over, it never hurts to pop by office hours or send an e-mail, thanking them for things they taught you or projects they helped you to complete. Bonus points if you can get specific and provide certain examples or moments you’re thankful for.

The Bottom Line?

It’s all about being thoughtful and showing a dedication to your field. In class and out of it, a strong passion for your courses and major will make you stand out and it will make most professors willing to take you under their wing. Professors are human and they’re willing to help. If you take these steps, your professors will likely be willing to take the time to sit down with you and chat about shared interests.

What are your tips for forming relationships with professors?