Your graduation is getting nearer, and it means that to go to university or start a job you need references from your college’s faculty. What can you do to get good ones?
Get acquainted with your professors
If you were thorough, your professors already are on a first-name basis with you, and it won’t be a problem. But it’s never late to start.
To make sure your teachers know you well, you should always sit directly in front of them, ask and answer a lot of questions, have consultations with your professors etc. Tell them how you like their classes – it will make them more interested.
If you know your teachers well, it won’t be a problem to get a reference letter.
Keep in touch
Even after the course is finished, don’t drop communication with your professors. Write them emails, come by their offices to talk. Then, even after your graduation, they’ll remember you.
Of course, you have to be subtle about it. You shouldn’t make your teachers feel as if you only talk to them because you need references.
You can get a reference even if you’re not a straight-A student
The thing is, professors will give you good recommendations even if you are not the best student in their class. You just have to show interest in their subject. Still, if the teacher had graded you really low, perhaps it’s not the best option asking for a reference from them.
Don’t take much of the teachers’ time
Ask professors for a reference well in advance, not one day prior to the deadline. If they don’t have time for writing a good letter, it will only harm your chances of application or career.
Don’t forget that professors are always up to their eyes in something, and if it’s very short notice, they won’t agree to write a letter.
Give them key information
If you want your teacher to mention specific things in your letter, give them a list of information you want included: for instance your GPA results, dream job, accomplishments, major, activities, etc.
Become a volunteer
If you need a reference from a specific teacher (e.g. they’re alumni of the school you want to enter), and you didn’t bother to get to know them, you can ask to volunteer in their office or class, like help them grade papers or organize a teaching environment. Thus, they’ll know you better and afterwards write a good recommendation letter for you.
Talk to alumni
Find out which of your professors are alumni of your target school(s). Read your college’s web site, it usually has all the information on the teacher’s educational background. To get an alumni recommendation is the best thing there can be for application, so your admission chances will increase greatly.
Remember that it’s no big deal to ask a professor for a reference: they get like a million of such requests every year. Just be polite and clear about what you want.
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