<p>I'm sure some of you outgoing people will laugh at this, but I need some advice.</p>
<p>I have social anxiety and depression (diagnosed by a doctor, as a result of an early life trauma - meaning it's not some made up excuse or I should just get over it). It's under control for the most part, I've made some friends and I am normally comfortable talking to people - except professors.</p>
<p>I don't know why but I have a very hard time talking to people who are obvious superiors. I always think I will sound stupid or waste their time, and I have no idea what to even say. When I'm forced into talking I am very awkward. I haven't had any major problems that warrant going to office hours to ask for help, but I'm sure I would sound like a rambling idiot.</p>
<p>Most of my classes have had 100+ students in them, so I'm hoping when I go into some smaller classes this semester, there will be in-class interaction/opportunities to make myself known. Does it get easier to get to know your professors when you're in smaller classes that are specific to your major (rather than big intro classes)? I'm going to need two letters of recommendation, I don't need them until June 2012, but still. I need to overcome this and somehow get to know my professors. </p>
<p>If any shy/anxious people out there could give me advice, or if anyone could tell me how to approach/talk to a professor during office hours, please do, I would really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I get horrible anxiety before office hours and I mostly don’t go, but these are some things I’ve found helpful:</p>
<p>For classes with papers, going in with your topic asking if he has any advice:too broad/narrow, this is a good angle to go at it from, these are really good authors that sort of thing</p>
<p>Making a list of two or three questions/topics and going in with them in mind. It gets easier once you’re in there, so I go in with one specific question written out, ask it, and then see where it goes.</p>
<p>Go in and say you’re interested in maybe pursuing research in the subject area and were wondering what the prof is currently working on. Say these words, and the professor will start talking, and keep talking for as long as you’ll let them. You won’t have to say a word. Prof’s love their research.</p>
<p>Smaller classes are definitely easier to get recs in though…you just sort of naturally develop a relationship with the prof. Also, if you can try to take the prof two terms in a row, that builds up name recognition and a larger body of interaction that he or she will have to talk about in a recommendation.</p>
<p>Good luck! I know its really hard, but the more you make yourself do it, the easier it eventually becomes.</p>
<p>Yeah Green99 nailed it. Profs are at your school to do their research, teaching is usually secondary to them. Volunteering in their lab or getting involved in whatever they do outside of teaching is really where you’ll develop a relationship with them.</p>
<p>You can also find something non-class related that a professor oversees and get involved, even if it’s with a prof you don’t have as a teacher. The important part is that you’re interested so you have some common ground to talk to them about. </p>
<p>You may even feel more comfortable working with one that’s not one of your teachers since theres less expectation.</p>
<p>(1) Sit in the front of the class, make eye contact, smile at the lame jokes the prof makes. </p>
<p>(2) After a couple of days, stop by at the podium and comment on something s/he said in the lecture that you liked, that you would have responded to if there had been a longer Q&A, something you didn’t understand, something you’re not sure you got right in the notes…</p>
<p>(3) Drop by office hours to ask a question (some good suggestions above). Vary by walking past office and popping your head in and saying “Prof X! How are you?”, chatting for a minute, and then leaving.</p>
<p>^Re: stradmom’s point #1: However, don’t be that kid who sits at the back of the lecture hall, laughs loudly at the prof’s jokes, and acts like he’s in a personal one-on-one session with the prof. Honestly, it gets old very fast and can be distracting to the people around you.</p>
<p>That is exactly what I’m afraid of. It always seems really obvious when a kid is trying to get on a professor’s good side, and it’s really obvious that professors don’t like it. </p>
<p>also, it hleps if you have general knowledge about the prof’s research. it shows genuine interest. For example: “Hey Prof, I noticed that you’re investigating the effects of _____ on _____. What are some of the approaches you’re using?” instead of “Hey Prof, what kind of research do you do?” </p>
<p>but other than that, the advice above is great. go for it! take a deep breath before you go in, and just keep your head high.</p>
<p>email Prof’s questions and comments on readings- they appreciate it and it’s easier than talking face to face. They will start to remember you from the emails, share your ideas at least once a class without being an asskisser, then start stopping by during office hours with questions or just to chat. Once you get a Prof you like take as many classes with them as possible- they’ll remember you and since you know their style it’ll be easier to talk during class. I got close to mine just by sharing my opinions in class and occasionally staying after class to chat. I will shoot them an email offering my opinion and asking for their thoughts. I asked a Prof to be our rep for YAL. I rarely go to office hours but I communicate through email and share my thoughts during class. Also discuss paper topics, and what you want to write about. The Prof’s I like, I take multiple classes with. My dept is small though, the average class size is under 20. Just keep in mind people aren’t going to get confrontational if you talk. My classes are POSC and HSTY so it’s very opinionated, and it took time before I felt comfortable talking. Prof’s love people who start debates. You just honestly have to push yourself to talk. Once you start it gets a lot easier. Then start going to office hours once you get to know them. Also, ask them for material on subjects related to their field but not covered in class. They love that.</p>