1. Sit up and lean in

Imagine preparing 3 hour long presentations a week just to give them to a crowd of people half asleep 20-something-year-olds. Communicate to your professor that you are awake and alert by sitting up. Leaning in will show them that you are engaged in what they are saying.

In a room full of students slouching in their seats you are sure to catch the professors eye.

2. Make eye contact

If your professor has ever taken any sort of public speaking class, they probably scan the room making eye contact with different people during the lecture.

Be the person that meets that eye contact! It not only increases your message that you are engaged in their lesson, but eye contact builds trust.

I can't find any downside to your professor perceiving you as a trustworthy won't I doubt you will either.

3. Smile

People don't say smiling is contagious for nothing!

If you can get your professor to smile, then you can improve their mood! Just the act of smiling can make you have more positive feelings. If you think about it, having your professor associate a surge of positive feelings with you in that class, you have a good shot of building a good relationship with them.

4. Nod your head

Nodding your head along with your professor demonstrates that you understand what they are saying. This comprehension is reassuring to whomever is presenting and validates the ways they are choosing to present and explain material.

Showing that you're engaged and processing is always a plus in lecture.

5. Put your phone away

You cannot do any of these things effectively if you are on your phone. It is disrespectful to sit ina class and ignore all the hard work that professors do to help you learn.

Put the phone away and engage.