<p>This is something I've always wondered. How do students get good teacher recommendations for colleges and other programs if they are quiet in class? In all my classes, most people (including me) are pretty quiet, the exception being 1 or 2 class clowns in each class. They don't talk to their teachers during class or outside class. So where are all these students (the majority) going to get teacher recommendations for college? It's a similar situation with guidance counselors, most people at my school never see their guidance counselor probably more than 3 times their entire 4 years in high school.</p>
<p>I am one of those quiet, 'invisible' people who works and studies really hard, and I've always been quiet so I wouldn't be able to push myself to become really outspoken in my classes. I don't have a close relationship with any teacher and I feel awkward conversing with teachers on a personal level. Does this mean I am pretty much screwed for teacher recommendations? (I want to apply to various summer programs that require teacher recommendations) </p>
<p>Does anyone have tips for impressing teachers/getting to know teachers better? </p>
<p>If I was doing extra work for a class like reading a well-known book about the topic or entering essay contests, how would let my teachers know without seeming like a suckup? (Because to be honest, I am doing it because I am interested in it)</p>
<p>teachers <em>usually</em> automatically like students that do well in their class. just participate in class discussion and that should be enough to get them to like you.</p>
<p>Contribute to discussion! But the approach I take isn't "if you have something to say, say it"; it's more "if you have something fairly worthwhile to say, say it." I generally only volunteer information when I figure that nobody else knows it (eheheh how do I say that without sounding like a jerk) and opinions when I feel that they offer a new perspective.</p>
<p>
Hmm, good question. I've been in similar situations with subjects about which I'm fairly knowledgeable, and I try to throw out information that I think the teacher/class will find interesting. "Ohhh, I read that <strong><em>; that makes sense now!" or "I read that _</em></strong>... do you think that's true?" and things like that work; you just have to be careful not to let it sound know-it-all-ish. As for entering an essay contest: that's definitely something to mention to your teacher before or after class. I'm sure they will appreciate your interest; it's definitely not kissing up if you went through the effort to do these things in your spare time! :]</p>
<p>Show an interest in the class! Maybe you just read an article on something that relates to what you're studying in class. Before class starts, mention it to the teacher. Tell him/her something that you found interesting about it. Do well in the class! If you're not doing well, approach the teacher and ask for help!</p>
<p>Teachers often don't know what kids do outside of school. When you ask for a recommendation form to be filled out, also give the teacher a sort of a resume - a list of the activities, awards, etc. that you've done over your HS years (like what you'd put on your app). You might impress teachers who didn't think much of you in the first place, and impress even more the teachers who already had high opinions of you.</p>
<p>This. I did it to the point my teacher mentioned it in my recommendation letter.</p>
<p>Besides that, I found just being smarter than everyone else is really beneficial towards impressing teachers, although that is obviously related to volunteering new information or insight into a class discussion.</p>
<p>Really, impressing teachers is a matter of differentiating yourself from the other students in a positive manner, and in an academic setting that is usually by being better at the class.</p>
<p>Oh, I've always found the way to get under my teacher's wing.</p>
<p>I dress to impress. If you see me, I am not going to be in neon band tees, definitely not. You're going to see a classy young kid who takes himself and his grades far too seriously. I also make sure that the teacher and I have some quality bonding time - They can comb my hair and do my nails while I explain my horrible relationship problems or how there are so many other, less physically abusive, fish in the sea. They're for the most minimal and useless things, too. Like, that one time in English. "Oh, Mrs. So and so. I decided to start my essay, I was wondering if you could look it over, tell me how I am doing-" - "I normally don't do this, but I know you're a perfectionist, so sure," - "Oh, thank you so much! Now, there is a slight problem, I was typing on Mircosoft Word on my phone, I tend to do my essays there - Can I pull it out?" - "Sure," After she read it, she told me I was on the right track and it was looking great. I knew that all along. I edited the dumb paragraph for three hours. But, still - Not only did I get her to read my paragraph, but I was able to flash my phone and show her how dedicated I am to my work.</p>
<p>And, there is the teacher who wrote my recommendation letter for the summer program. Hands down, she is my favorite teacher of all time. One of my favorites class, too. I volunteered to help tutor after school with the kids who were not getting it. She thanked me so much for it. She even boosted my grade to a 99 that quarter. It was in the low 90s. </p>
<p>My tips - Look and act like you are a million bucks. Sucking up - Do it. Who cares what people whisper under their breath when you say something. It's High School. You are not there to make friends, you're simply there because society has placed this ugly road block between you and Princeton.</p>
<p>Just contribute in class. Don't look exhausted or bored (which is harder than you might think), answer questions when she calls on you, and if no one's answering a general "everybody" question, take a stab. Most of my teachers are happy to write recs for the kids with good grades, but they like the involved kids best. A kid with a B+ who comes for tutoring and asks questions in class gives a teacher much more material than the A++ kid who sleeps all class and aces tests just by being a genius. So give your teacher material--come for tutoring, study extra hard for tests to get those last few points, and speak up when it's appropriate. Talking every once in a while will not make you the annoying know-it-all. That's reserved for people who wave their hands around every two seconds and try to contradict the teacher, which is a far cry from just speaking up.</p>
<p>My teachers always say that while participating a lot is a good thing (as well as doing well on tests, etc), they love it when a quiet student says one or two things per class that, in general, are impressive thoughts. Teachers know that not every single student is going to raise his or her hand for every question or be an animated feature in their class and class discussions. Just make your voice heard once or twice with profound thoughts and conclusions and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>I've been on both sides of this, sort of, since I interned as a teacher. </p>
<p>The student I liked the most I just simply liked the most. He was a good student, but he wasn't the best. He didn't talk to me outside of class that much, he wasn't a class clown, I just simply liked him. And I really feel like I could have written recs for almost all of my students, though not all of them really stood out. I actually did write letters to all of their schools about the progress they'd made. Teachers often know their students better than it seems.</p>
<p>As a student, it's easy to see which teachers like you and will write you good recs. I know my math teacher likes me because she approved me for Calc BC even though I really shouldn't be in the class (Pre-Cal grades were too low), because she was impressed with my spirit/determination. I know my Art History teacher likes me because she writes letters to my parents about how excellently I'm doing.
If you don't have any teachers like that, you can just guess who you should get to write you something. Get something from a teacher in whose class you do well. They usually like you. If you don't have anything like that, try to become closer with a teacher. I remember I was pretty tight with one of my social studies teachers because I would ask her some historical question almost every day before class. But make sure you don't pester. And sometimes, the teachers just need someone to take pity on them. My French teacher absolutely cannot manage her class, so very few people volunteer. I make sure that I'm one of those very few people. So even though I do homework for other classes and I've missed at least one quiz and I think a test (excused absences), I have a 99% and the teacher's written me great recs.</p>
<p>And I def agree about dressing nicely. Some teachers don't care, but I think it helps.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Start your first term getting B's. Then rip your average up to an A by aforementioned "help sessions". So the teacher feels like you have an amazing work ethic and are a "I'll get it done no matter what" type of person. </p></li>
<li><p>THEN, you really get brilliant the second term - if you're in calculus, say, ace your tests, and say that you want to spend time learning some multivariable calc or work on the proofs behind the little gimmicks and rules he teaches. Teachers love when you dig deeper and understand the real information, not just the surface like everyone else. And tie together concepts in say, physics and quantum in your discussions with your teacher so he can write about the cohesion in your overall school learnage - very important. </p></li>
<li><p>Have your teacher involved in your clubs that you lead. Prove your mettle as a leader. </p></li>
<li><p>Have a sense of humor - this is important. Intelligent humor, political awareness, focus on the world - that is what you need to convey. Huge deal, you got to have that teacher hinting that your no study machine. </p></li>
<li><p>For gods sakes, find the dumb tools in your glass and amicably teach them! Tutor! You've got to show selflessness, generousity, and pure understanding and ability to teach the material. Plus its nice to help people. Shows you aren't a competitive tool. </p></li>
<li><p>If its english or something, say 'hey, so I am submitting this to national poetry competition, have a look plz?' then you develop a relationship around your EXTRA work - while employing the aforementioned strategies. Same thing goes for the sciences and math. Say, "i'm really interested in Gibbs law, and I designed this experiment with X Y chemicals, could we look it over and try it out?" Get your teachers involved with the creative, extra work you do. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't talk bad about other teachers or students. Ever. In their presence of course, it makes you look jealous or bitter. </p></li>
<li><p>Praise other teachers that you have a feeling the target teacher may know and like. </p></li>
<li><p>Have a discussion when rec time comes about your college dreams and ask them for advice. Just do it and listen, teachers want to talk. Even if they went to podunk U, just be interested in their life experience. Then tell them a few things about you that would make you right for your target college, and hope they remember the key words to highlight. </p></li>
<li><p>If they send out evaluations on a monthly basis or something, compile a folder of the best things they have said about you from the evals or just papers and tests they ranted about your geniusness on. Say "If you need any prompts, I've compiled some information that you've said about me that may help you out, would you like it?"</p></li>
<li><p>this is best with teachers that you know you will have for like 2 years, 1 in 11/12th. Find three or four teachers who you think might fit the bill and do the method with all of them. Teachers can leave or some unfortunate stuff can happen, so you want to make sure you have at least 3 being prepped.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Depends on the teacher. Listen to them, find out what they're interested in, find something that you're interested in that just so happens to coincide with their interests, and tada, instant connection. Don't fake enthusiasm as it'll wane and you'll be screwed.</p>
<p>
[quote]
1. Start your first term getting B's. Then rip your average up to an A by aforementioned "help sessions". So the teacher feels like you have an amazing work ethic and are a "I'll get it done no matter what" type of person.
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[quote]
1. Start your first term getting B's. Then rip your average up to an A by aforementioned "help sessions". So the teacher feels like you have an amazing work ethic and are a "I'll get it done no matter what" type of person.
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</p>
<p>Dear God. Don't sack your GPA because you want to get on a teacher's good side! That's insane!</p>
<p>
[quote]
^ Hey! You're called yourself a weakling? HA. I can't even bench a regular bar...which is 45 lbs...only 30-35ish lbs
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Um. I seriously don't know what to say...the bar is like...lighter than a piece of chocolate.</p>
<p>How old are you? And are you a guy? If you're a girl, it's okay.</p>
<p>If you're a guy within a reasonable age, I'm at a loss of words, not necessarily mocking you or belittling you, but just really surprised because I've never seen a guy my age or above (14+) bench lower than a 85. In fact there's lots in my school/friends that bench over 200+.</p>