Here are 5 effective ways to impress your college professors.
1. Always be on Time
Depending on the size of your class, you could really stand out in a bad way if you don't show up on time. If your professor usually walks in at the last second, then they probably won't notice how early you got there. However, if your professor tends to get to class early and there are only a few people who are there when they arrive, then those few people are going to start to stand out. Your professor will know that you take his or her class very seriously.
2. Ask Questions in Class
It will be hard for your teacher to get a gauge of your engagement with the class if you are not actively participating. Of course, you don't want to take up too much of their lecture time asking questions and making comments, but you do want to try and speak at least once during each lecture. If you get nervous about asking questions, you should right them down ahead of time so that you can express yourself clearly and articulately.
3. Attend Office Hours
If you go to university and you really want to impress your professors, then you have to show up to their office hours during those crucial times before exams or due dates for major papers. This is the best time to ask all the questions that you don't have time to ask in lecture and get some one-on-one time with your professor. They will be able to guide your work much better this way and they will really understand how committed you are to succeeding in their class.
4. Complete Supplemental Reading
On the first day of school, most professors will give you a syllabus with all of the normal details, but you want to pay close attention to the section where your teacher lists both your required reading and your supplemental reading. It may seem like a lot of extra work, but if you actually take the time to delve into the supplemental reading, you will really get a better understanding of the lessons that your professor is trying to teach. The best way to impress your professor is to earn a good grade, and these supplemental reading assignments will go a long way when writing your term paper. Plus, this will make for great conversation when you go in during office hours.
5. Turn Your Assignments in Early
When you were in high school you may have been able to turn in late homework assignments and still maintain a positive rapport with your teachers. However, when you're in college, your professors are likely to have very little patience for late work. If you really want to stand out, you should always be one of the first people to turn in every assignment.