I just found out that I am going to need 3 professor recommendation letters to apply to the occupational therapy program at my school. I’m a sophomore and I haven’t gotten to know any of my professors. I usually don’t participate in class or see them during office hours. I’m setting up my schedule for the spring semester right now and I have the chance to take one professor for 2 of my classes. Should I do that? Also how can I get to know professors better so it won’t be weird asking them for a recommendation letter? I feel like if I asked any of my previous professors for one they wouldn’t even know who I am. Any advice? Thanks!
The best way for your professors to get to know you is to stand out (in a good way). Participate in class and go to office hours. I know you said that you don’t do those things, but if you want your professors to notice you, you need to do something to be noticed, and that means you need to participate and go to office hours.
I second the recommendation to participate in class and go to office hours. Even if you don’t need help in the course, you can talk about the profession, ask about the professor’s research. Be genuinely interested. Then later when yo ask for recommendations it will seem less awkward.
And if you reread your post, you will see that you kind of answered your own question about what you need to do when you said that you usually don’t do these things. Time to break out of your comfort zone and take that next step.
It’s possible to get good recommendation letters without having participated in class or gone to office hours often (although you should try to do these things in the future), as long as you’ve taken some smallish classes (that is, small enough that the professor knew your name and face) where the professor was able to get to know you through your assignments.
Now I don’t know your schedule, but if you’re in a lot of the large lecture classes it can be hard. Stop in for office hours, talk to them about the class, their research, other things/they’re people too. And as for actually asking them, do it in person.