Guide for setting up a private meeting with an educator
Meeting professors can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking, especially for students who are unsure about how to approach them. A sophomore student planning to declare in neuroscience has shared eight tips to help streamline the process of meeting professors.
These tips, provided by Kamron Soldozy, Natural Sciences Correspondent, are meant to help students express themselves to the best of their ability, not to stress or constrict them.
Finding Availability
The first step is to check the professor's availability. This information is often listed on departmental calendars or can be inquired via their assistant or department email.
Making the Request
Once you've confirmed when they are free, send a concise and polite email requesting a meeting. Briefly state your purpose and suggest times that fit their office hours or schedule.
Tips for the Meeting Request and Interaction
- Be concise and clear in your email about why you want to meet.
- Prepare thoughtful questions in advance to show respect for their time and to keep the discussion focused.
- Be yourself and authentic in your communication; genuine curiosity and respect are appreciated.
- During the meeting, practice active listening, pausing and reflecting on what the professor says, and allow space for a thoughtful exchange rather than rushing through questions.
- Follow up with a thank-you email summarising any key takeaways or next steps, and expressing appreciation for their time.
Preparation and Engagement
The student suggests being prepared to describe why you'd like to meet with the professor, and to briefly describe your academic interests and any specific activities, clubs, or hobbies you have. They also advise spending a couple of minutes reading the professor's online profiles or looking at their academic interests before meeting them, to get an idea of what they study and how your interests relate to theirs.
The student also suggests preparing a question or two based on what you've learned about the professor, or asking about their current research interests if no questions jump out at you.
Building a Positive Relationship
Meeting professors can be nerve-wracking, but they are people too, and getting coffee with them doesn't have to feel like a job interview. Building positive relationships with professors is important and rewarding, as it can lead to personally meaningful friendships that extend beyond the student's time at Princeton.
No matter the class year or major, students should not be afraid to reach out to meet a professor. The student has found that asking in person has had the most success in getting ahold of professors. They have been reaching out to neuroscience faculty, sometimes via cold emails, to get a better feel for these projects.
The student's experience was shared in the context of reaching out to professors via cold emails. They had a positive experience meeting their professor, and these tips can help others do the same.
In summary, the approach involves verifying availability through official channels or calendars, making a respectful, clear, and concise request, preparing focused questions, engaging authentically during the meeting, and following up with a professional email. This method maximises the chance of a productive meeting and builds a positive connection.
- As a junior student, preparing for the writing of a 'junior paper' in neuroscience, it's essential to meet with potential advisors for their insights and guidance.
- When embarking on the 'senior thesis' phase of education-and-self-development, independent work requires constructive interactions with professors for personal-growth and learning.
- Engaging in 'independent work' and tackling assignments like 'senior thesis' or 'junior paper', Positive relationships with professors fostered through careful communication can contribute significantly to self-development and the overall learning experience.
