Building relationships with advisers and professors

Everyone knows that ''the college experience,'' and especially the one at the University of Illinois, can be characterized by receiving an excellent education, finding one''s calling, and forming strong bonds with our peers, from roommates to classmates to coworkers. This last point is especially emphasized as the connections that you make at the U of I now will be the seeds that germinate life-long friendships in the future.

What frequently goes unmentioned is that some of the most fulfilling and important relationships are the ones that students build with their professors and academic advisers. Most students entering any program at the U of I will be assigned to an adviser who has appropriate knowledge of their field and major requirements. If a student is lucky he or she may even remain with the same adviser and build a fulfilling relationship that will allow for both academic and career advancement.

However, even more important than relationships with advisers are the relationships that students develop with their professors. Finding a mentor in an academic setting can lead to a nurturing relationship. Building strong ties with a professor whose interest you share can lead to not only a more fulfilling classroom experience, but it can also lead to conversations about turning your interests to more specialized areas and becoming better versed in your field. These mentoring relationships can oftentimes lead to finding a thesis director if you should choose to pursue a capstone project your senior year. Moreover, having professors who know you and your work develops qualified contacts who can write your letters of recommendation.

Of course such relationships do not just happen overnight, and just as any friendship or connection you might have on campus, a relationship with a professor takes time. It is crucial to visit professors during their office hours, to attend lectures or events they might be holding outside of class, and, most importantly to keep in touch in future semesters even when your class time with this professor might be over.

Despite the University of Illinois being one of the top research institutions the professors really care about their students. They make time to organize weekly office hours and frequently schedule to meet with students outside of those time frames. Taking the time to get to know your professors and to pursue stronger relationships with them is what can individualize your academic experience at the U of I, so make sure you take every opportunity you can to explore common interests!