How to Get an Instructor to Like You

Instructors like students who are civil, responsible, responsive and do good work. If you intend to ask for a letter of recommendation, follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Alarm Clocks
• Mens' Watches
• Women's Watches
• Binders
• Folders
• Highlighter Pens
• Notebooks
• Personal Organizers
• Backpacks
• Notebooks

1. Arrive on time and attend every class meeting with your textbooks, writing materials and a thorough knowledge of the assigned readings for that day.

2. Listen. Look attentive and interested in the subject matter by leaning a bit forward in your seat and keeping your eyes on the instructor.

3. Participate in class discussions, being respectful of other students even if you don't agree with their opinions. Try to keep your comments "on topic."

4. Avoid eating, drinking, reading the paper, talking to friends, wearing your hat or napping during class. An instructor does see these things from where he or she stands.

5. Arrange with another classmate to gather assignments, notes and instructions for you should you miss class. If that is not possible, attend your instructor's office hours, apologize for missing class and ask if he or she has any extra copies of the assignment. Thank your instructor for taking the time to help you.

6. Avoid monopolizing your instructor's time before and after class and during office hours. Keep in mind that instructors can have anywhere from 25 to hundreds of students.

7. Take responsibility for doing your own work and doing it well: turn in assignments on time, keep them neat, and be responsible for your own supplies such as folders, staples, printers that work and disks that you can count on.

Tips & Warnings

• An instructor appreciates students who are as interested in the subject as he or she is. If you're bored, don't show it.
• Instructors also like self-starters. Rather than continually asking for help from an instructor, try sharing your own ideas during office hours about the topics covered in class or asking a question you think the instructor might enjoy answering. It will probably lead to a discussion that will help you in completing assignments anyway.
• Each time you speak individually with your instructor, repeat your full name.
• Be careful not to misinterpret your instructor's helpfulness as friendship. He or she is obligated to give you a grade based on your performance, not likability.

[msmsmanu]

on 8/1/2008 Good article... Hope this'll help my grades improve... Thanx...

on 1/26/2006 Monopolizing time is not OK. Sure, ask for help, but if you find you take an hour out of an hour and a half office hours time slot, you're keeping the professor from helping other students. If you feel like you need that much time, ask in advance if spending that much time would be OK during office hours or if you should schedule a separate appointment. It isn't fair to the rest of the class. Professors (and TA's) love to be visited during office hours, but they don't want to give you your own individual lecture!

on 11/22/2005 Most professors are obliged to use technology, but many of them are not too good with it. If a professor is having trouble figuring something out, like how to get an overhead projector to work, show him.

on 11/22/2005 Whenever you require help, ask the professor for help. Don't be afraid to monopolize his or her time. Odds are that s/he'll appreciate your willingness to do well in the class and remember you favorably afterwards.