Interacting with faculty

Getting to know the faculty member who is teaching your class is critically important. Why is this so? Faculty member have expectations of the students who are taking their class.

Typical classroom expectations of faculty:

  • Make sure you understand and follow the syllabus.
  • Do the work.
  • Understand and comprehend the work - not memorization (except in appropriate instances).
  • Clarify any confusion you have regarding the assignments or understanding the material.
  • A student should be respectful, attentive, and open to the professor and to other students in the class.
  • To have a zeal to learn the material.
  • Hard work, dedication, and preparation.
  • To make an honest effort to speak to the professor when the student is experiencing difficulty with the material.
  • To take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to everyday life.

When experiencing difficulty in class, a student should best approach a professor by:

•  Talk to the professor after class (short conversation or quick question)

•  Make an appointment during his/her office hours (extended conversation or detailed question).

•  Talking to the professor a soon as possible; don't hesitate or wait to the end of the semester to seek help.

•  Being prepared during your meeting with the professor - articulate the difficulties you are experiencing in class. Be specific.

Faculty who know a student personally and feels comfortable with the student's quality of work and personality are more likely to think of that student when scholarship, internship and or other opportunities arise.

The following situations are those listed by Temple professors as the ones where they would feel most comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for a student:

•  Faculty had several meetings with the student (at least 2-3).

•  The student has good academic performance in his/her class (B or better).

•  The student is a good worker, articulate, prepared for class, and an active participant in class.

•  The faculty knows the student personally from class.

•  The faculty knows the students' goals and aspirations.

•  The student did all assigned work and sought help where necessary.

As you can see by the above responses, having a relationship with the professor can be very important and beneficial to student during class and in future opportunities.

 

Russell Conwell Center

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