<p>I transferred last year to UC Davis, and have just had a great experience mainly due to my faculty mentor. I will finish a small-scale research project at the end of this quarter and he has just helped me an incredible amount by guiding me, helping me network, recommending resources, etc. He basically was kind enough to take me as a complete novice and show me the ropes, and I want to give him a gift to express my gratitude.</p>
<p>I thought about writing a card, but I'd really like to do a little more. I actually am pretty decent in art, and I thought about either making a portrait of him (pretty much free since I have the supplies, and they don't take me very long to do), but I thought that could seem rather weird. I want to give something that honestly shows my thanks, but doesn't seem too uppity or out there.</p>
<p>I do Starbucks gift cards every semester for my teachers… Even if they don’t drink coffee, there’s something there. I’m not sure if this is related but the few times I was borderline A in a class, I’ve received an A since I started giving professors gift cards and thank you notes lol but I probably just deserved it in the first place :)</p>
<p>I agree, the portrait thing is sort of creepy. a card is simple, and honest. i thing that’ll do but if you wanna do something else get him a nice bag of coffee or something. (arabica is the best)</p>
<p>I’m joining the Starbucks bandwagon - with the amount of coffee some professors drink, it could totally make their day to receive a gift card. I also agree with adding a handwritten note to it. Simplicity are always the best ways to show respect and establish warm rapport.</p>
<p>The portrait is of the professor not the OP. I don’t like the idea of my students–who in general have no extra cash–spending money on me. I think drawing (painting?) something is a great idea. If the idea of a portrait seems awkward, you could draw some part of campus or something from the area where your school is. I had a student bring me a very small painting from the region she is from. I love it.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, I get my professors a gift card to a local bookstore in a small denomination. I’m a poor college student after all. It kills two birds with one stone: I get to thank my professors while helping a small business.</p>
<p>Its great to know that you worked on research your first year after transferring to UC Davis. That’s exactly what I’d like to do if everything goes well with Davis (dropped some classes this semester that didn’t show up on the transfer update, so although I was accepted on Wednesday, I worry it will f-up my admissions because I worry. A lot). </p>
<p>As for what to get your professor, it depends? What does your professor teach? Is there anything quirky about your professor? Have you noticed that they like anything in particular? I had a great instructor at my community college, and at the end of the year I really wanted to show her my gratitude. Her last name was Kow and she loved to joke about it, so I thought it would be neat to get her a mug with a Kow on it. heh.</p>
<p>My favorite gift to a professor was an action figure of Yoda. The reason I gave this gift to my professor is because one day, while chilling in his office talking life and confidence intervals, I said to him, “thanks professor, you’re the Yoda to my Luke.” My professor and another student in his office just started busting up so it became a running joke.</p>
<p>^He did indeed. It is prominently displayed out of its box (doesn’t he know that decreases the value) in front of his numerous math books. He’s a great guy and was a big influence on me.</p>