Getting To Know Your Professors Pt. 3 of 3
Now, I have discussed not only personal experience, as well as provided some resources that put much of what I say into context. Next, I would like to discuss something that didn’t quite fit in earlier. Not all professors will be willing to form a relationship with students. Many, especially at big research universities, are only concerned with their own research and only teach because they have to. I actually have experienced this many times, and it can be pretty awkward. I advise you, if awkward situations are not something that you enjoy, don’t force a connection that isn’t there.
While I have certainly talked up the benefits of establishing a professional relationship with your professors, I would have to advise you not to force something that isn’t there. If you were to approach a professor after class for clarification about a particular topic, and they briefly answer you and don’t seem too interested in helping you, chances are that this would not be a professor to forage a relationship with. I tend to stick to professors that I know I have a things in common with, or professors that teach classes in my particular department. Since these are the people that I will interact with the most as a student, they have the greatest chance to both see what I am capable of as a student, and offer the most useful feedback for future projects.
As previously stated, don’t force anything. If it’s there, it’s there. If not, oh well. You can always try again some other time. I have experienced dozens of free lunches, and hundreds of wonderful conversations. There is so much that can be taken advantage of in academia, and much of it lies in the hands of the people that teach in it.
November 2, 2010 at 2:10 am
these look GREAT! Thx Andrew!!
November 15, 2010 at 4:36 pm
hey, I`m Philipp. I´m in one of Marlens English classes here in Finland where you are course assistant for.
I read your third article about getting to know your professors. It is very useful. I have the same opinion that you can`t really force it to get to know your professor.
I think it´s also a cultural issue and may depend on the country. I am only for my exchange semester here in Finland. Originally I´m coming from Germany. And I can say that here in Finland students have not that much distance from their professors than in Germany. For example in Finland it is possible to talk to a professor, calling him or her by the first name. I think in many other countries this wouldn`t be possible.
You have a cool blog!
Bye, Philipp
November 15, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Philipp,
Thank you for the comment about my blog. I decided that a simple color scheme would best exemplify my complex personality. I’m glad you found my blog post useful. Many people try to force connections with other individuals, and I have found that this only causes problems. As an anthropologist, I couldn’t agree more with your inclusion of cultural context; however I would caution you not to assert that too much. You see, while culture certainly plays a role it is by no means the dominate one. I would have to say that individual paradigm affiliation, and prior experience influence the roles of students/professors. In other words, because just because things have been a certain way for a while, does not mean that these things are direct results of cultural constructions. this being said, I would like to point out that such questioning of these relationships can only bring about increased understanding, which is of course a good thing. I advise you to keep questioning such things, and to never just accept something as solely being a cultural issue.
November 16, 2010 at 3:23 am
I agree with you. I am studying education and I really see that It will also help me to learn how teacher acts. For me it would be scary to be only at the class and after that just leave. It helps teacher to enjoy if he/she knows who are sitting on the class… what are their passion. I was very happy when I went to Marlens class.
November 22, 2010 at 9:35 am
notice: this is only the copy and pased email, i wrote you a week before. It’s just to prove, I wrote to you, how it is expected to do =).
Hey Andrew,
my name is Mathias and at the moment I am a student of Marlen in his class “Academic English Skills”. You could find some more information about me in my blog http://www.dilgermathias.wordpress.com if you want to =).
First of all, I have to say I feel a little bit sorry, that you have to invest time to read my mails and i have to apologize, that i choose you, but your blog about “getting to know your professor” was very interesting and made me thinking about it as well.
I really agree on your point about Marlen – he is definitely unique! I wasn’t allowed to get to know to such an enthusiastic and sympathic person before and you can really feel his passion for teaching through dealing with the students.
But why did you make me thinking about your topic – Well, I haven’t considered an “usually” professor as a kind of mentor before. All the professors I get to know, retended to be something better, whom do not want to get in touch with the ordinary students even if there are humans too =) ). Of course there are some exceptions of professors, who are friendly but still not really close to the students. During my work in the student council I get in touch with some professors and they can be friendly if they need something but in general it’s more the opposite. That’s why it’s almost unbelievable for me to even think about talking to them beside the class. Another fact is that it could be understood as schmoozing in order to get good grades by the professor.
Of course, I can see the huge benefits, which can through a good relationship with your professors and I really believe, that it can help in many cases. But I still can’t imagine how to do so, if it is not usual for professors to get in contact with students in general. (By the way, in Germany it appears to be easier for girls to get in contact with male teacher than it is for boys in general).
I must say I’m always looking for good contacts or maybe even a mentor at work, because you meet there under a different platform and it is more common to build up relationships if you do good work.
But nevertheless, as mentioned, you made me thinking about it and I thank you for that! I will consider your advices for my next meetings with professors and maybe, I will change my mind about the possibility to get in contact with them =).
Thank you very much and best regards,
Mathias
November 22, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hei, i am caner and i am one of the Marlen’s student,i totally agree with you and if it is possible,it is the best chance to being in interaction with your professors.But if i take this issue in my country ,there is less chance to do is and usually professors act like unreachable person as if they were not student in the past.
In here i have had a chance to meet and talk to my professors in some time and they are very close to their students and i appreciate like these people.
Thank you.
Caner