Professor Relations

Hey guys! My name is Caitlyn Martin and I am a junior in Engineering Science, and a Team i Mentor! We all know how stressful it might feel to walk into your classes the first week of school- we’ve all been there! There are so many new people to meet, things to learn, and skills to use!  But one of the best ways to not only get ahead academically but also get comfortable with your classes early is to create relationships with your professors! At first they might seem intimidating, but all professors at Penn State want you to succeed in their class if you put in the effort. There is always a way; what’s the key? Finding that way.

 Instead of waiting for homework, quizzes, or exams to be graded to figure out if you are succeeding, start earlier by going to office hours and asking questions! Professors are skilled in determining if you truly understand the material, and in my experience, asking one question brought up ten other questions I wouldn’t have otherwise thought about. Talking out ideas and concepts with an expert is one of the best ways to grasp a clear understanding. Plus, certain professors might even give you a couple hints on future assignments! :-)

In addition, making good relationships with professors, especially in your relevant-to-major courses, opens doors to an abundance of new opportunities. Many of your instructors are involved with research, and interested students often find themselves with offers to work for them or someone related if they have demonstrated the right qualities in the classroom. Networking with professors in your department also opens up opportunities to receive letters of recommendation, which can be a crucial advantage as a freshman! This network is also available for use and growth throughout your entire college career, so starting early may help you tremendously in the long run!

Making relations with your first professors can cause a domino effect in creating endless opportunities. So, even if you might be a little nervous at first, go up to your professor before or after class and just start with an introduction! You won’t be the only one, and putting a face to a name will help your professor remember you in the future. Then, throughout the first week, try to get to their office hours. If some overlap with classes, you can always email them asking to set up an extra appointment. All of these steps will let them know you are eager and motivated to succeed, and will start you off well in your “weed-out” classes!


Caitlyn Martin
Team i Mentor