How to Build a Good Relationship with Your Professor

Good professor-student relationships can be more valuable than you realize: not just academically, but for your future career as well.

Professors are more than just lecturers. They're industry experts, researchers, and often well-connected professionals who know about internships, job openings, and academic opportunities.

A strong professor-student relationship can lead to mentorship, references, and even life-changing advice.

Here's how to connect with your professors the right way—respectfully, sincerely, and professionally.

1. Learn about your professor(s)

Take time to learn about your professor before approaching them.

Most universities provide online bios where you can read more about their:

• Research interests
• Academic background
• Publications
• Hobbies

💡 Tip: If they have a personal website or LinkedIn profile, explore those as well.

This background knowledge helps you ask smarter questions and shows that you're genuinely interested in their work, not just showing up because you have to.

2. Use the right title to address them

It's important to always address your professors respectfully.

Professors vary in how they want to be addressed:

• Some prefer the formality of a title like Dr.
• Others prefer first names

👉 When in doubt, default to "Professor [Last name]".

Tip: Pay attention to how they sign emails or introduce themselves in class. That's usually your best clue.

If your professor feels disrespected by the title you call her or him, you're not likely to develop a strong bond.

3. Follow the email format

Email is not a text message. Your initial emails to your professor should be short and concise, and relatively formal.

When writing to a professor:

• Use a clear subject line and start with the course code (e.g., "Psych 101: Office Hour Appointment Request")
• Begin with a proper salutation (e.g., "Dear Professor Kim")
• Introduce yourself if you have never emailed them before
• Keep it concise and polite
• Be specific about what you're requesting
• End with a thank-you and your full name
• Always proofread thoroughly

In the beginning, formal is better. Don't loosen your formality until it's obvious that it's ok. Never be impolite!

If you'd like to learn more about how to leave a lasting impression on your professor, check out our guide on How to Email Your Professor (+ Etiquette Tips).

Here's an example of a short email to a professor:

Subject: History 204: Request for Feedback on Essay Draft

Dear Professor Rodriguez,
I hope you're doing well. I'm writing to ask if you might have a few minutes during your office hours this week to offer feedback on my essay draft for the upcoming assignment.

Thank you for your time!
Best regards,
Aisha Malik

4. Ask smart, sincere questions

If done well, engaging with your professor in class can make a lasting positive impression.

Here's how to do it.

✅ DO: Ask questions that show engagement

These demonstrate you're listening, thinking critically, and making connections.

Examples:

• "You mentioned that cultural context affects consumer behavior—how does that apply in global marketing campaigns?"
• "Could you recommend any articles that expand on today's topic? I'd like to explore it further."
• "Last week you brought up [concept]—is that related to what we covered today, or am I off base?"
• "How does this theory hold up in real-world settings or recent research?"
• "I noticed this model was developed in the '90s—has it evolved or been challenged since then?"

❌ DON'T: Ask lazy or self-serving questions

These can come off as inattentive or superficial.

Examples to avoid:

• "Will this be on the exam?"
• "Can you repeat everything from the beginning of the lecture?"
• "What's the easiest way to get an A in this class?"
• "Do we really need to know this?"
• "What page are we on?"

✅ Do: Ask for clarification (respectfully)

If you're confused, it's fine to say so, as long as you show you're actually trying to understand the material the professor is presenting.

Examples:

• "I'm not sure I fully understood how this equation applies to the example—could you walk through it one more time?"
• "I read the assigned article, but I'm struggling to see how the author supports their argument. Could you elaborate?"

❌ DON’T: Pretend to ask just to impress

Professors can usually tell when a question is more about showing off than learning.

Example to avoid:

• "Isn't it true that this entire field has been debunked by post-structuralist thought?" (…in a 101 course.)

5. Use office hours, even if you don't "need" help

Office hours aren't just for struggling students.

They're one of the best opportunities to build rapport in a one-on-one setting.

You might use the time to:

• Ask for clarification on a concept
• Discuss an assignment idea
• Get feedback on a paper
• Learn more about your professor's research or field

💡 You don't need to show up with a grand question—just a respectful attitude and a willingness to learn.

Keep it professional. Let your professor lead the conversation if it turns personal.

6. Stay in touch after the course

If you've built a good connection with a professor, don't let it end when the course does.

Professors often know about internships, research assistantships, or even full-time jobs. Keeping in touch can lead to real opportunities.

You can:

• Share academic or career updates by email every few months
• Ask for advice if you're pursuing a related path
• Send a LinkedIn request with a brief message
• Ask (politely and professionally) for a letter of recommendation—ideally with advance notice and context

💡 Reminder: Make sure your follow-up is genuine. Professors are more likely to help students who showed consistent effort and interest.

Conclusion

Strong relationships with your professors can be one of the most valuable, and often overlooked, assets of your college experience. Beyond lectures and grades, professors can become mentors, recommenders, and gateways to academic or career opportunities you might not even know exist.

By showing curiosity, communicating professionally, and engaging sincerely, you demonstrate that you're not just a student passing through; you're someone who's invested in learning and growth.

Because in college, and far beyond, who you know and how you connect with them truly matter.