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Finding the Right Fit

by Mary Davidson
Utica College

So it’s time to start picking out courses and professors for next semester, where do you begin? Students that are aiming for a high GPA are going to know that one of the most important things about a course is the professor.
Professors can either be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to the classroom. The best way to find out how things will pan out for you is to research your professor. Find out what work they have published, what other students think of them, and talk to the professor on your.
To find out what work your professor has published a good place to start is an Internet search. If you college has access to online databases try that, or go to your college’s library. Another good way to find out what your professor likes to research and write about is to talk with your professor’s division office. They are sure to know of any work the professor has published.
It’s important to find out about your professor’s interests for a few reasons. First of all, it gives you an idea of what the professor specializes in. If you find that this professor specializes in something that really interests you then it has the potential to be a beneficial match. However, if it turns out this professor is interested in something that you have no desire to learn about, chances are you won’t enjoy their course. Another reason to find out about a professor’s published work is that it will give them an ego boost if you happen to mention that you saw their book or read an article they published.
Next, find out what others think about this professor. Ask other students how the professor grades. Is this professor fair, or does the professor arbitrarily grade their students? How much do they emphasize work outside of the classroom? Do they have a favorite concentration or subject? Other students will be able to quickly give you a feel for how you might get along with a professor. You will be able to hear about ways to get on a professor’s good side and sure-fire ways to get on their not-so-good side. Be sure to talk to a handful of people, chances are that there are some students that just had an unusual experience, so to be sure you are getting reliable information ask around.
Technology gives students the venue to talk to each other more and more. Today you can use Facebook to find a student currently taking the professor. Once you have found out through a simple “courses” search, you can message students currently enrolled with the professor about their experiences. Another great Web resource is www.ratemyprofessor.com. This Web site allows you to search for a professor at your college and see what other students think of them. Professors are ‘graded’ on easiness, helpfulness, clarity and rater interest. This is a good way to get a broad view of the professor. Plus there are often comments about the professors that go into more detail about their personality and teaching style.

The best way to really find out about a professor is just to talk with them face to face. Set up an appointment or talk to them over the phone. Even email will work. Find out what a professor’s expectation is of their students and how the course you’re interested in is structured. Just by speaking with a professor you will be able to get a good feel for their personality and if you will be able to work well with them. Plus, an added benefit of meeting with a professor before registering for their class is that you show the professor you are a serious student. This will help your professor to get a positive idea of you, and that ever-important first impression will stand out.
If you go to a smaller college where there aren’t many options for professors or only one professor teaches one of your required courses, fear not. Following the same guidelines you would if you had a choice in you instructor will still help you out. Getting to know the person who you will be spending 6 hours a week with and countless hours doing assignments for will definitely benefit you.
So, when it comes to searching for that perfect professor, realize that they are few and far between. However, taking the right steps to find the best fit and to get to know a professor before entering their classroom is always a good idea. Just the way you wouldn’t go to class without the paper that is due that period, you wouldn’t want to go into class without knowing anything about your professor.