This week's advice comes from eight Distinguished Professors at the UA about what a freshman can do to impress a professor. All comments are from emails. I've bolded some points for easy browsing. Enjoy!
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"The student ought to have read the syllabus carefully, should have all the textbooks ready on the first day of class, attend class on time, and might have read something about the course already by her/himself. If s/he tries to engage with me already the first day, I'd be impressed. Moreover, if the freshman knows where the library is, I'd be impressed." -- Albrecht Classen, Distinguished Professor of German Studies
"A student who comes to class having read what was assigned, starting in the very second class session, and then makes a thoughtful comment about it -- or asks a truly probing question prompted by it -- shows that he or she is truly committed to learning and to the material in the class instead of just doing the minimum required. The impressive student at the outset is the one who shows that kind of passion for learning, even if his or her comments initially show that she or he has a lot to learn (don't we all?)." -- Jerry Hogle, Distinguished Professor of English
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"Willingness to work in the laboratory to learn new skills. Knowledge of the research areas of the department -- if he/she has done some research on what we do, that shows a wish to participate and get involved." -- Avelino Saez, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
"I'm always impressed by the freshmen that come up and introduce themselves on day one or early on, especially in a big class. That shows they are engaged and ready to learn! Having quickly digested the syllabus and noticed news stories in astronomy is a plus too." -- Chris Impey, Distinguished Professor of Astronomy
"I assume you mean besides juggling flaming chain saws while riding a unicycle. What impresses me is when freshmen are organized and plan ahead. I'm impressed when they visit my office hours to clarify concepts and be sure they know what is expected. I'm impressed if they come in after receiving a less-than desired grade to find out how they can do better the next time (and not to complain). This contrasts with the all-too-familiar scene of them waiting till they've found themselves behind or having done poorly on repeated assignments/exams, at which point it's difficult to help them get back on track. Manners also impress me: well composed email responses complete with capitalization and without texting acronyms, and good eye contact and polite conversational skills." -- John J.B. Allen, Distinguished Professor of Psychology
"I send out messages to incoming students in calculus suggesting that the begin reviewing material before they walk into the classroom. One of the things that I tell the students is that they should start doing the homework problems before classes start. When they do the homework, it should be organized so that they can review the problems for exams. Undoubtedly, they will get stuck on a problem. I suggest that on the first day of class, they should approach the instructor and point out that they have already worked on the homework for the first three sections of the book but they are stuck on a problem in the second section. Could they make an appointment to talk to the instructor to go over the problem? I have been teaching at the UA since 1970. No student has ever approached me with this. I would be very impressed with a student who took this initiative." -- William Yslas Velez, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics
"I think any Freshman who asks questions impresses me. Even if the question is about where something is located, or how to do something. Better if the questions contain why? and what if? It shows they want to know something." -- Peter Beudert, Distinguished Professor of Design and Technology
"I think freshman can impress faculty members by coming to advising meetings prepared with their planned schedule written down and showing that they have given thought to their education; the more immediate action is to ask questions in class and engage in conversation with a professor during and after class." - Mary Poulton, Distinguished Professor of mining and geological engineering
