How to Connect with Professors and Mentors

  • Always email faculty, staff, and other adults professionally. It’s respectful to them, but also ensures that they respect you.
  • Try to sit in the front of the class and ask questions often so professors directly see your effort.
  • Attend office hours; you might see another side of your professor compared to when he or she is teaching your class, and connections can be made more easily.
  • Make people remember your name, especially professors and staff. Before you know it, you’ll need references or connections for internships. The earlier you start making connections, the better connections you’ll have in the future.
  • When you have questions or concerns, seek the help of a professor, advisor, or peer mentor. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: most people are more than willing to help in any way they can, and it’ll eliminate some stress in your life.
  • Step outside your comfort zone, whether that be with classes, clubs, trips, meeting new people, anything. College is the time to explore new things and you might find yourself enjoying something you never thought you would. With that being said, be YOU. Do what you like, not what others want you to like. Stay true to yourself.
  • Don’t overbook yourself, but don’t underestimate yourself either.

Bethany Elwell, ’16, Sociology major and Global Public Health minor

Kyle Joyce, ’16, Criminal Justice major and History and Anthropology minor

By Shannon Desmond
Shannon Desmond Senior Client Support Lead