With it being my senior year, I feel that I'm reflecting on a lot of things more than I usually do. Because school's back in session, I've been trying to keep my articles fresh and current to what's going on with my classes and the things happening on campus. Unfortunately, it's been a pretty "meh" week for me, but even though it may not have been my best week, I've been in the presence of some amazing professors. And I just wanted to list a few things that show me (and my peers) that there are caring professors out there and you can see it in the things they do for their students.
1. Check in on you.
I have a few professors that check in on how I'm doing, no matter how many days it's been since I last talked to them. We could be passing each other somewhere on campus on in the halls of the department, but they will take the time to see how you're doing. And if they don't have the time to get into a deep conversation right then and there, they will schedule a meeting with you.
2. They want to be involved in the things you do outside of class.
One of my professors this semester wanted to create a calendar with the things her students were involved with outside of the classroom so she could to games, matches, or performances. It's really nice to know that they want to see you succeed in more than just doing their readings or making it on time to their class.
3. They feed you.
A few of my professors do this, and it is easier with the small class sizes we have, but a bunch of my professors have either brought coffee and donuts or fruit snacks or pizza to class. One of my professors actually asks if you've had breakfast when you walk into class and offers you something from her office if you haven't.
4. They let you work things out.
I've randomly showed up in some of my professors and asked if they were free enough to talk. Most of the time, they are and don't mind me sitting down for a few minutes. Others will just schedule a time when they can meet. Regardless of what they end up doing, I feel cared for in that moment. Then, if the meeting is getting the best of your emotions, they help you work it out or just grab a tissue and are ready for discussion to tease out what happened. I'm really not ashamed of how many times I teared up in my advisors' offices in the process of changing my major.
5.They want to see you succeed.
A lot of professors may say this, but you can see that your professor actively wants you to do well in your studies, there's something so uplifting about it. If they notice the class may not get a certain topic, they'll take a whole class to make sure that everyone is on the same page for moving on. That or they reiterate that they're office is open and that they want to see your face there before an exam or a big paper is due.
6. Class outside.
This is a weird one, but when you're going class to class to class and the weather is absolutely beautiful, you may subtlety suggest that class outside may be fun. I've had class outside a few times now, mostly with the same professor, but it's really refreshing to have discussions and learn a difficult concept out in the open air with the sun shining on your face. Not only are professors taking your request into account here, but they're also letting you get outside instead of staying cooped up in a stiff classroom.
7. Giving you options.
You may not see this right away as professors caring for you, but I totally do. Some professors will just give you an option to either turn something in weekly or at the end of the semester or they'll let you openly discuss something on the syllabus that may be not working out well. There's been many times where one of my professors has let their be a discussion about a due date that doesn't work for anyone and then change part of the syllabus.
8. Department Bonding.
One, this is important among the students to create good ties between your peers. But two, the fact that your professors see that you just might want to have some fun and relax with some of your friends and professors is a sign that they care about you. Apple picking is becoming a tradition now in my department and it's exciting to know that I'll be doing one of my favorite fall activities with some pretty amazing people.
I don't know if I'm just getting sentimental because it's my last year of college or if I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate my professors, but this is what came out of my thoughts for the day. The signs of your professors caring about you and your well-being might not be as strong as some of these, but just be on the look out for some signs. Not every professor hates teaching or doesn't care that they're assigning too much homework. Just know that when you meet the professor that cares, they'll probably change your life.
