Having a good relationship with your teacher in college can make a huge difference in your college career. Whether you need an extension for an assignment, want a better grade, or ask for a reference letter, it’s important that your college professor likes you.
If you’re wondering how to get your professors to like you, without resorting to brides, fancy gifts or being a teacher’s pet, then you’re in the right place!
Even if this hasn’t been easy for you in the past, it’s worth putting in the effort to get your teacher to like you in college. In fact, there are some fairly easy to build a positive relationship with your professor and it won’t take long to reap the rewards. I’ll admit this skill has helped me a lot over the years!
In this post I share the best ways to get your teacher to like you in college. Even if you do a couple of these things, you’ll likely see an improvement in your relationship with your professor.
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15 Ways to Make Your Teacher Like You in College
1. Complete Assignments
Unfortunately, many students have trouble completing assignments on time. Like it or not, this bad habit will likely cause your college professor to see you as less serious, unorganized and even lazy.
College can be busy and stressful, but if your teacher constantly reminds you to do assignments, you need to make a change. As a college student, your number one job is to complete your assignments and study.
College teachers like students who complete assignments on time and work hard. Those students will get better grades and build a better relationship with their teacher.
If you’re having trouble completing your work, take initiative and contact your teacher for help. You can also see your teacher before or after class.
This shows your professor that you’re putting in the effort and want to do well in their class, which is what every teacher wants.
2. Attend Classes Regularly
A big mistakes some college students make, that results in their professor not liking them, is skipping class.
If you’re not attending class regularly, you can’t expect your teacher to like you. Showing up to class shows your college professor that you’re putting in the effort to learn the course materials.
In college, if you show up to class, do your assignments, and study, it’s almost impossible not to be successful. However, once you begin to skip class, it becomes very hard to motivated to do your homework and study.
When I was in college, I knew many students who would skip class regularly. Sadly, most of these college friends ended up dropping out because they lacked the proper motivation to succeed.
3. Be Punctual
Being punctual shows the teacher that you take their class seriously and are a responsible student. If you’re often late to class, it can be seen as disrespectful and shows a lack of seriousness.
Showing up to class on time or even early can go a long way. Not only will you get to choose where you want to sit, but you can settle into class before it begins. Plus, you may have a chance to talk briefly with your teacher about upcoming assignments or projects.
In my experience, the most successful students in college were typically the ones who would be early for class. If you’re always punctual, then your teacher will love you.
4. Being Prepared
A very easy way to get your teacher to like you in college, is by showing up to class prepared with text books and other school supplies you need.
Make sure to have a backpack with your college essentials, so that you’re always prepared for class, even if you’re in a rush. Not having a pen, notebook and other things you need for class, won’t make the best impression. Your professor may even call you out, which can be embarrassing.
As a student in college, you have to take responsibility be prepared for lectures and classes.
If it’s your first semester in college, make sure to start off right. While forgetting things may not be a big deal in middle school and high school, in college students are expected to know better.
Related: 12 Ways to Stay Organized in College by a Recent Graduate
5. Participate in Class
Class discussions are valuable opportunities to showcase your understanding and critical thinking skills. It’s no secret that teachers love when their students participate in class discussions.
Feel free to voice your opinions, share personal experiences, and respectfully challenge ideas. Active participation is a good way to express your interest in the class and show that you are paying attention.
Throughout my time in college, I always made an effort to participate in class discussions. This was a great way for me to become a familiar face in the classroom, for my teacher to know me by my first name and it made classes more enjoyable.
Many teachers will give a grade for student participation, which is a great way to get better marks!
If you tend to be quiet during class, it’s time to make a change. Engage in class discussions and participate in lectures and you’ll notice your professor giving you more positive attention.
6. Have a Positive Attitude
Having a positive attitude is super important in college. Not only will your teacher appreciate this, but it will also make your college experience more pleasant.
In college, it can be very easy to have a negative attitude. This can affect your mental health, making the college semester dreadful.
Instead, try to go to school with a positive attitude. Even though they may be stressful, your college years will be some of the best years of your life.
Remember to enjoy the college experience and try to stay as positive as possible!
7. Respect Your Teacher
Disrespecting your teacher is the easiest way to get on your professor’s bad side. The last thing you want is for your teacher to hate you (even unconciously).
Even if it’s not intentional, they may grade you harder or simply don’t give you the chances that they would other students.
In college, it’s important always to show your teacher respect. When your teacher is talking, make sure that you’re not texting or talking to your classmates. Teachers like to see you paying attention.
One of the biggest pet peeves for college professors is when students are having conversations or on their phones during a lecture. If you show your teacher respect, you’ll make a good impression and likely be respected and liked in return.
8. Be Proactive
Being proactive is an important skill useful in college and real life. When I was in college, I had an English teacher who taught us what she expected if we needed help.
She taught us that when we sent an email asking a question, we should include how we tried to solve the issue. By doing this, she explained, it shows the teacher that you took steps to solve the problem, but you still need help.
Teachers appreciate a student who is proactive in the classroom. This is a valuable skill you will use throughout your life after college.
Becoming a proactive and responsible student, is a great way to impress your teacher.
9. Show Appreciation
It’s important to show appreciation to your favorite teachers in college. If you have an awesome teacher and you find their class interesting, don’t be afraid to let them know.
Most teachers are very passionate and enjoy when a student shows appreciation. You can show them your appreciation by saying “thank you” at the end of class, or you can take it further and write them an Email.
If you have a great college professor, let them know. It will mean a lot to them, and they will appreciate the positive feedback.
10. Attend Office Hours
If there’s one thing that every college student should take advantage of, it’s office hours. Most college professors will have office hours once or twice a week, when they’re available to help students and answer questions.
The funny thing is that most students won’t take advantage of this, even if they could use the help. However, you can utilize this valuable time to connect with your professor on a one-on-one basis.
Whether you have questions about course material or want to discuss a topic further, showing up for office hours shows that you’re a dedicated student who’s putting in the effort. Who doesn’t like someone who tries?
When I found a course challenging, I always tried to attend the professor’s office hours. I know from experience that this is great way to get help and build a positive rapport with the teacher.
A great way to make your teacher proud is by attending their office hours. This way, your teacher will feel like they did a good job teaching you, and you will get amazing grades!
11. Get to Know Your Teacher
The best way to build great relationships with your teachers is by getting to know them. Whether it’s before class, after class, or during office hours, if you create a personal relationship with your teacher, they will like you.
Of course, keep it professional. However, getting to know the professor personally was the easiest way to get teachers to like me in college. I would go the extra mile and take an interest in my teacher’s life and experience, which was a great learning opportunity.
As someone who studied business, connecting with my professors led to many opportunities that shaped my future career.
12. Avoid Becoming a Teacher’s Pet
While it’s great to be on good terms with your professor, avoid crossing the line into “teacher’s pet” territory. Not only will this be frowned upon by your classmates, but also, many teachers don’t like when students act this way.
Instead, aim to be proactive, friendly and contribute to class discussions. Remember, your goal is to create a positive and respectful relationship. By being a good student, your college professor will naturally like you.
13. Put in Extra Effort
Teachers love students who are willing to put in the extra hours. If you’re a student who occasionally skips class, doesn’t participate, and doesn’t try hard, then you can’t expect your teacher to like you.
Instead, it’s better to put in the extra effort, and your teacher will recognize that you’re working hard. Even if you’re having trouble in the class, it’s rare for teachers to fail a student who is trying their hardest.
Putting in the extra effort will make a huge difference in your grades, and your teacher will like you more.
In my personal experience, I’ve done much better in classes where I tried and put in as much effort as possible.
14. Participate in Optional Activities
Participating in optional activities shows the professor that you are interested and willing to put in extra effort to do well. Unfortunately, many college students will do the bare minimum to pass their college classes.
However, attending optional activities is a great way to show your teacher you care about their class. It’s not uncommon for students skip optional activities, but it’s great opportunity for you to get to know your teacher better.
Optional activities are also good networking opportunities. You’ll connect with other motivated students, teachers and professionals.
15. Demonstrate Academic Integrity
Having academic integrity is essential to having a teacher like you and succeeding in college. Never do things that go against your college’s code of academic conduct like cheating, copying or plagiarizing.
Taking shortcuts in college will always catch up to you. If you get caught for plagiarism or copying someone’s homework, you could get kicked out of college.
Teachers in college will always appreciate a student with academic integrity who is willing to put in the hard work.
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Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Teacher Like You in College
Having your college teacher like you, can actually help your academic career. There’s no need to become a teacher’s pet to get that to happen.
By implementing some of the tips we’ve discussed, such as attending office hours, putting in extra effort, and showing genuine interest in the subject matter, you’ll gain your teacher’s appreciation and enhance your academic experience.
Taking steps to build a good relationship with your teacher will be useful throughout your time in college and beyond!
Another thoughtful, eloquently written article – and I really mean that. You, like so many others in your generation, are so wonderfully articulate, logical, and smart. This planet is going to be such a sick place in which to live once you guys are finally able to fully take things over and apply all your cool new ideas and futuristic ways to the whole of society! Z’s for the win!