Help! What do I talk to my Professor about?

Question

I'm currently a senior in college and planning on applying to graduate school, which means I will need written recommendation letters from professors. The problem is that I have never liked any of my professors, and have never established a student-teacher relationship with them. Anyway, I'm taking some classes this term and want to start to get to know my Profs. I was thinking of going to see one of my Profs during her office hours, but I have nothing to really talk to her about.

Any suggestions on what to talk to her about? I don't want to mention anything about grad school, because I think if I did that, it would be kind of obvious/rude that the only reason I'm talking to her and wasting her time is because I eventually want a recommendation letter from her.
What do you think?

Answer 1

you should come up with some sort of conversation that would pertain to the subject that she teaches. i dont think that you should just go there and ask about class work, however that would be a good start if you do not have anything else to talk about. or just go there and introduce yourself, and tell her that you are trying to get to know your professors, because you think that would be something important, that also helps if you have to miss a class for some reason or something.

Answer 2

First, just start out by asking questions in class about the topic. Be on top of whatever the lesson/assignment for the day is. But dont be a suck up or kiss@ss. You know what I mean. Asking questions shows enthusiasm and interest for the topic. Also answer questions when asked to the class in general. Just trying makes a huge difference. If you are 75percent close to the right answer, he/she will see that you are trying to grasp the subject. Does this prof teach your major? If so, that is GREAT. Showing an interest in your classes for your major goes a LONG LONG WAY TO GETTING INTO GRAD SCHOOL AS FAR AS RECCOMENDATION LETTERS. Profs at the undergrad level are always looking and hoping ofr someone who is enthusiastic and interested in the SUBJECT, NOT JUST GETTING OUT OF THE CLASS AND GETTING A DEGREE SO YOU CAN GET _______ JOB THAT YOU WANT. Dont mention grad school. Just do this and then it will add up. When do the recs have to be done?? Ask about a month in advance. If not until Feb. , dont ask until dec. before xmas break. No offense, but not getting to know the profs of your major is a NONO when trying to get help to get into grad school. Many know colleagues at schools from cali to maine that can/will take a special look at your application. pLUS, THEY SHOULD KNOW YOU BEST SINCE YOU WENT THROUGH THEIR PROGRAM SO THEY CAN TELL WAHT KIND OF STUDENT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR SPECIAL QUALITIES ARE THAT MAKE YOU A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR ACCEPTANCE. One thing to remember is that they have to look at a ton of ppl's stuff so anything that seems unique, extraordinary, or gifted will catch their tired eyes. Put alot of thought, time, and HEART into your statement that you will have to write. Show WHY YOU WANT TO BE THERE AND BECOME _______ OTHER THAN $$$$, BENEFITS, AND RETIREMENT PLANS. Please choose me so I can get the 10pts.

Answer 3

WELL, TRY to find a common ground to talk about. Example, when i was in college i had one professor that loved plants + gardening. I could care less. BUT i did some research on plants and got kind of interested.To make a long story short i learned how to grow mums from snips(cuts). I bought 2 bucks worth of potting soil and i found 15 small pots hanging around.I asked different people as i knocked on doors if i could take a snip from their garden mums. I Grew the most beautiful mums. I took a couple of plants to my professor. LITTLE did i know one was a rare plant not on the market yet. So i gave her a plant that excited her. THEN she shared more info with me. We became friends.I never had a problem with a letter of recommendation.

Answer 4

my suggestion would be to start with talking about class. the way i usually develop connections with profs is going to see them multiple times during office hours and going over homework problems with them, or asking them to explain things about lecture that i didn't fully understand. that way they know that you're hard-working and want to do well in their class. be friendly and personable to them.

sit at the front of the class too, so they see you and see that you come to class every day and are actively engaged in learning the subject that they're teaching.

yeah, don't mention grad school unless they bring it up, unless they ask you what your future plans are. and even if they do bring it up, don't mention a letter of recommendation until you're ready for them to write you one (until you need one).

Answer 5

Well, if she's in the same field that you're doing your grad studies in, you could ask her what her research interests are. You could still talk about grad school and ask her what her opinions are about certain things (which school to go to, what the best program is in your area, etc.). Talk to her about your plans and she might volunteer to write a recommendation for you.

Answer 6

You can ask some questions regarding the material covered in class or in the textbook. After the test, you can ask about some questions that were on the test. Unless you are planning on answering them all right and not missing any of them, there are plenty of things to talk about.

Answer 7

Go in and ask her about the subject. Even if it is something you already understand. Or maybe something she hasn't covered in class that pertains to her field. Or something in the text that she didn't cover in class or something. Google the subject and find something new about it and go and ask her about it. Dont' worry, you'll find something.

Answer 8

Try the class work. But if you can't fake it, you will look like a schmuck.