How to Gain the Respect of Your Teachers or Professors

Teachers have a lot of students, and sometimes it's hard to stick out from the crowd. Earn your teacher's or professor's respect by following these pointers.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Book Bags
• Electronic Personal Organizers
• Folders
• Notebooks
• Personal Organizers
• Backpacks
• Notebooks

1. Hand in all your work on time. If you turn something in late, don't make any excuses unless they're legitimate.

2. Tell your teacher or professor as far ahead of time as possible if you can't meet a deadline or if you have to miss a class.

3. Consult with your teacher or professor whenever you're having difficulty with an assignment. The fact that you care, and that you're reaching out for help, means a lot.

4. Let your teacher or professor know if you think you've been treated unfairly. Standing up for yourself is something he or she will respect.

5. Exercise leadership in the classroom: keep an ear out for common ground when there are disagreements, and look for solutions that will satisfy everyone.

6. Ask questions, and lots of them. Teachers love an involved, interested student.

7. Challenge the teacher's or professor's views - gently - if you think there's something to challenge. This shows that you're engaged and interested in the material.

Tips & Warnings

• When telling your teacher or professor you think you've been treated unfairly, try to be as sensitive and non-accusatory as possible: keep a steady tone of voice and choose your words carefully.
• The same goes for challenging his or her views.
• Find, and walk, the line between being an interested student and being a "brown-noser."

on 8/8/2006 Do:
* Complete your homework correctly and on time.
* Show some initiative. If you're having a problem in class, come to the instructor. Be sure you can show that you have spent a great deal of time trying to figure it out on your own.
* Ask questions that go above and beyond the course material. I get annoyed when a student asks a question I can't answer, but at the same time I recognize that my inability to answer that question is my own fault, and I commend the student for his or her interest.
* Listen to the instructor. Nothing is more annoying than explaining something for the 10th time because a student let his or her mind wander.

Don't:

* Brown-nose or schmooze.
* Gripe and whine.
* Be a smart aleck.
* Challenge every little thing the instructor says.
* Become too dependent on the instructor.

Bottom line: The best students I've had are the ones whose names I learned because I noticed they were constantly getting A's on assignments. If I learn your name any other way (because you keep screwing up or because you're trying to get too friendly), chances are you're doing something wrong.

on 11/22/2005 Do:
* Complete your homework correctly and on time.
* Show some initiative. If you're having a problem in class, come to the instructor. Be sure you can show that you have spent a great deal of time trying to figure it out on your own.
* Ask questions that go above and beyond the course material. I get annoyed when a student asks a question I can't answer, but at the same time I recognize that my inability to answer that question is my own fault, and I commend the student for his or her interest.
* Listen to the instructor. Nothing is more annoying than explaining something for the 10th time because a student let his or her mind wander.

Don't:

* Brown-nose or schmooze.
* Gripe and whine.
* Be a smart aleck.
* Challenge every little thing the instructor says.
* Become too dependent on the instructor.

Bottom line: The best students I've had are the ones whose names I learned because I noticed they were constantly getting A's on assignments. If I learn your name any other way (because you keep screwing up or because you're trying to get too friendly), chances are you're doing something wrong.

on 11/22/2005 The best way to get the respect of your teacher is to respect them. They didn't become a teacher without some hard work in college and the job market! So treat them like they have worked hard to get where they are.

on 11/22/2005 If you can, read something outside of the syllabus relating to the class. It will show the teacher that you are motivated and resourceful, and you will gain a better understanding of the topic.

on 11/22/2005 In a large class, it's harder to stick out. Try to sit in the same spot every class, and ask intelligent questions [but not so often that it gets tedious for the professor]. *Never* be late, read the paper or let your cell phone ring during class! Also use the office hours and attend tutorials...even if you don't need the help that tutorials offer [especially then...you can stand out from the people who are struggling...and even if you're struggling, the professor will respect your determination]. There are some tutorials where only a handful of students attend out of a large class, and it gives you a good review opportunity while making you look more diligent.