<p>I didn't go to office hours for any of my classes this past semester because I wasn't struggling with any of them, and I didn't want to waste my professors' time, as well as that of other students who actually needed help. Now I'm at the end of my first semester at a college I really don't want to return to for the 2014-2015 academic year, and I don't have anyone who can write me an academic recommendation.
Based on my deadlines (April 1, May 1), I can probably get a recommendation from one of my second-term professors, but I need to be really conscientious and deliberate about how I go about this. What are adcoms looking for from college recs? How do I go about building a relationship with my professors that will allow me to get one that would make them want to accept me while not feeling like I'm wasting their time by schmoozing?</p>
<p>Just be really proactive in class, ask a ton of questions, seem super interested, go up to them after class and ask them a question about something discussed, if you see them in the hall say, “hey there professor ___”. Even if you don’t need help, act like you do, or just ask a few questions in office hours.</p>
<p>In addition to the above, you can go to office hours to ask questions that show that you’re really thinking about the material. Ask something that’s above and beyond what you’re learning in class–not something completely out there, but something that’s related to what you’re learning but that wasn’t necessarily discussed in class. That’ll show the professor that you’re thinking, that you’re curious, and that you can speak intelligently about something. You don’t have to go to office hours just because you’re struggling; sometimes, office hours are a great place to talk about a subject or get questions answered that you wouldn’t have enough time to talk about during class. That may also give them something to write about in a letter of rec.</p>
<p>It depends on the class, but I know a lot of professors who just sat around during their office hours because no one came. They generally like talking to students, so don’t be afraid to stop by office hours–especially the ones that tend to be less busy (the ones that aren’t right before a test or right after students get their grades back).</p>
<p>There also is nothing wrong with paying a visit to one (or more) of the professors whose classes you did particularly well in this semester. Tell them about your desire to transfer, and ask their advice. It is entirely possible that some will be able to write an LOR for you.</p>