Building a strong connection with your professor/instructor - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Building a strong connection with your professor/instructor

Presented

by

SSHA

Peer MentorsSlide2

Purpose of this workshop

Most

students do not visit their professors in office hours

because:Students fear authority Students are intimidated to ask questions (embarrassed) Students don’t know the protocol to contact their professorStudents are afraid they won’t know how to converse with their professor

The purpose of this workshop is to inform students of the benefits of student-professor relationships. Visiting with your professor is important because you are likely to better understand their course material and may be offered career opportunities (research, internships, attending conferences etc. ) Slide3

Objectives

Provide tools to better prepare students to interact with

Faculty

Learn professional ways to approach professorsLearn the benefits of attending Office HoursLearn professional email protocols when contacting faculty/staffPlanning for the future: grad school, research opportunities, internships, work experienceSlide4

Getting To Know

Y

our Professor:

Introduce YourselfLet the professor know your interests and why you chose to take their course. Introducing yourself will let them know that you are interested in the class and it shows initiative! Don’t be intimidated! They are people, just like you and me!*Building that Student-Professor relationship may help you when you need a letter of recommendation for Grad School or a Scholarship application! Slide5

How To Introduce Yourself To Your Professor

I

ntroduce yourself during the1

st/2nd week of school Option 1:Go to class early and introduce yourself to your professor before class startsState your name, year, and major Option 2:

I

ntroduce

yourself to your professor

after

class

ends

S

tate your name, year, and major

Option

3:

Go to

the Professor’s first available office hours

and introduce yourself

State your name, year, and major

*Office Hours are a great opportunity to have a longer conversation with your professor about goals and future career plans Slide6

Use Their Office Hours

Even if you don’t have any questions, visit their office hours!

There are many different ways to approach your professor

Ask about course content Additional help How you can improve your gradeHow to study for an upcoming midterm Ask about their field of expertise! (Research)*Students who use office hours usually have better grades in the class!Slide7

What if I cannot attend my Professor’s Office Hours?

Make an appointment

Talk to your professor before or after class

Email the professor Attend Teacher/Research Assistants office hoursGo to their office hoursEmail your TA Slide8

How to write an email to your Professor

Include Full Name and Student ID

E

mail your professor from your ucmerced.edu email account

Include a detailed message. If inquiring about a specific course, include the course name and number

Include a Subject Slide9

Participate

Make sure you participate in class!

If

you participate, the professor will see your interest in the class and will likely remember you. Participation will be highly appreciated by the professor, but it will also help you become more engaged in the class. Paying attention = Better grade in the class. Make sure you participate at least once or twice a week! Make it a priority! Slide10

Stand Out from your Peers

Building a student-professor relationship and staying in contact can get you:

A

letter of recommendationResearch opportunities in their laboratory A Referral to their Colleagues A Referral to career and academic options