As thousands of students begin a new semester at Ohio University, many are sitting with nerves and anxious thoughts about meeting their professors and making notable connections with people in their area of study.
Students are under a lot of pressure to make themselves stand out amongst their peers, and many understand how important making good connections in college is before stepping through the gates of campus. A handshake and a compliment are not enough to be remembered. And with professors seeing hundreds of students each day, it is difficult to know how to make a genuine connection — especially when it is a major-specific professor.
While first impressions can be tricky, it does not have to be so intimidating. Here is a foolproof guide to navigating the college connection scene and nailing that first impression.
Get to class early or stay late
On the first days of classes, almost every student will line up to speak to the professor after class. However, for many, talking to the professor after class is the only attempt, they will make at connecting with their professors.
If you are consistently speaking with your professor, it will give them more chances to remember your name while helping break down that awkward barrier. It is important you are consistent in greetings and practicing basic respect. You should also make a note to be early, which also applies to interviews or meetings and is a basic part of any professional interaction.
Introduce yourself
Your name, major and year are not enough to make yourself stand out in a sea full of other names, majors and years. According to the Harvard Business Review, the best way to introduce yourself is in the simple format of past, present and future.
To start, you state a present fact: who you are and what you are currently studying. Then, you can take a moment to share some context or background about yourself, such as experience or previous accomplishments. Finally, you should add some details about what you see yourself doing or what you want to accomplish.
You can separate yourself from the pack by straying away from basic introductions and sharing relevant information with a professor or other professionals. Also, making sure you are following the formula of present, past and future takes out the guesswork and stress of introducing yourself.
Ask meaningful, personalized questions
Whether you are in class, attending office hours, in a meeting or at an interview, asking purposeful questions can make a huge difference in making an impression on someone. Instead of asking generic, filler questions like “What’s something you would tell someone looking to break into this business,” you can ask something like “What is one quality people who succeed in this area have?"
You can make a lasting impression in your interactions by asking more specific questions tailored to that person’s experience, background or field instead of asking generic questions.
Think about yourself
When going into a first meeting, it is important to know who you are and how exactly you want to present yourself. It is key that you find the right balance between being yourself and being professional.
It may not be the best idea to mention the epic parties you go to every weekend. Instead, mentioning an enjoyment of being around others in large and small settings shows you thrive around a community, something that may be useful in a job setting.
It is difficult to master letting your personality shine through while also trying to remain professional. However, it is a skill that will make those first impressions so much easier. You can start by looking deep and finding the best parts about yourself, then aligning them with what you are hoping to accomplish professionally.
Whether it is a professor or a professional in your field of interest, having to make first impressions can be a never-ending occurrence. However, meeting people that can potentially help you succeed or guide you to better things is never a bad thing.
While it can be nerve-racking and anxiety-inducing, first impressions are incredibly great opportunities to open wonderful doors for yourself. If you keep these tips in mind, it can make the process even easier.
