When I was at community college, I befriended my professor over a conversation about The Bachelor (Nick's season). At UCLA, I befriended a professor over a book that my professor from community college assigned us to read because I was assigned to read that book in the class at UCLA. Although befriending my professor at UCLA was easy, it wasn't easy at first befriending my professor from community college.
For a class a CC, I was under the impression that my professor was a TA on the first day of class. And I said it out loud over the phone to my friend who told me he was going to be late. So, my professor asked me to please turn off my phone, and I immediately thought, "oh my god, this jerk is the professor." As class progressed, I was struggling with my assignments for homework and I forced myself to go to office hours. And when I left his office hours, I peeped into a former professor's office hours and complained to her about how my professor was just mean. And he peeped in and went to say hi to my former professor and said "what's up" to me. Once I left my former professor's office, I passed by his office and he was talking to a student in my class about a TV show. And I blurted out, "oh, so you do talk to people?"
At UCLA, I had a conversation with my professor about this book I read in class with my professor at CC. When I asked my professor from UCLA about the book and he gave me answers, I called my professor from CC. My professor from CC had read a book from my professor at UCLA. Amused, my professor from UCLA told me to get my professor from CC on the phone, and they spoke. And because of me, they met! (You're welcome, friends :P).
Today, my professor from CC is one of my closest friends, odd to say. He has become a second dad to me because he always has something wise to say when I am knotted up with a problem and don't know how to untie myself away from the negative. He has also become someone I can anything to because he always gives me knowledge and motivates me to keep on going when others bring me down. He has also become my chisme buddy about things that happen at my school or in life. Not needing to specify the moments where he has been there for me like a dad, he has also been one of the people whose opinion has helped me when I needed a second opinion.
So how the hell did I befriend my professor?
Rule of thumb: DUH, go to office hours.
BIG. THING. This is the only way you will get to know them outside of the classroom. Office hours are known for sitting down with your professors and talking about the subject or material you're not understanding. Maybe you have a project for a different class, and you need feedback. Use office hours to catch up or to talk to them about the term or about your grade. Seeing students concerned about their grade or having a willingness to learn about the material in class will help them have a better perspective of you.
Get to know them!
Instead of talking about a paper or whatever, go in and introduce yourself, and have them introduce themselves to you. Ask them about their interests in education and why they decided to pursue that degree. Or, talk to them about what they like to do. Trust me, your professors are still people. They would rather have a conversation with students than grade exams and essays throughout the term. They are teachers because they want to help shape you and the future.
Talk about nothing!
Maybe talk to them about something that caught your attention in class. Maybe they mentioned that they're a big fan of that TV show you binge watch on Netflix. Maybe they majored in something you're interested in. Talk to that professor. You have questions? They have answers. Obviously, respect them too when you talk to them.
Why should I befriend my professors?
Professors will always be there for their students! Professors care for their students, and will always be there for them, even if you have graduated. In my case, I say my professor from CC has become my "best friend" because he has seen me in moments where I was just unable to stop crying because I was stuck in a big problem and stopped grading to listen and offer advice. He has listened to me as I was in tears because someone had done something to me. This has not only happened to me, but to some of my friends too, who are mentees of their former professors. They befriended their professors because they are good listeners and are good people to get advice from. These are people who will vouch for you for anything, from job references, to letters of recommendations, unless you are a sociopath and if you fail their class. Always be good to them. Never bribe them, because they are there to help you. Always reminding them how much you appreciate them is what counts.
