Try These Seven Ways to Improve Interactions with Your Teachers

Having a good relationship with a teacher is important, especially if you want to have a good classroom and learning experience.

Sometimes it can be hard to be nice to a teacher who you don’t particularly like, but it’s important to make an effort. Here are seven ways you can create good relationships with your teachers.

1. Be nice.

Smile at them and say “hi” if you see them in the hallways. Maybe you can even offer to help them with something. If you show that you’re a good person, they may warm up to you quickly and make the class more pleasant. You don’t have to go out of your way to help a teacher if you don’t have time, but the smallest gestures count. Even if you don’t like a teacher, don’t show it to his or her face. One teacher told me that when a student strikes up a random conversation with her, it warms her heart. She also said that it’s nice when her students sometimes come to visit outside of the class.

2. If you have a favorite teacher, say so.

It’ll make someone’s day! Show teachers how much they mean to you and if they helped you make a major turnaround in school. Show you appreciate them.

3. Don’t be disrespectful.

There’s a time to talk to your friends, but it’s not during instruction. If you pay attention in class, the teacher will have a higher opinion of you. Teachers have hard jobs; they have to deal with a bunch of kids who are not all pleasant and they don’t get the highest pay. Don’t make their jobs even harder by being rude. Teachers have a job to do, and that’s to teach you, so help them by actually doing your work.

4. Be sincere.

You shouldn’t be nice to your teacher just for your own benefit. Doubtlessly, being a good student will make it easier to get a recommendation for college from your teacher, but that shouldn’t be the only reason you should be nice. Be nice to them because that’s the good thing to do.

5. Be prepared for class.

Not only will it leave you room for the day when you forget something by accident, but it’ll show your teacher that you’re ready to learn and serious about your studies.

6. Do your work.

Homework, classwork, everything. You should actually try and understand the material instead of just jotting down random answers and if you don’t understand something, go ask questions. It’ll show that you’re engaged and willing to learn, plus you will benefit from understanding the material.

7. If you dislike a teacher, don’t show it.

If anything, go see if you can transfer but if not, still be nice. At least that will make the class easier.

[Looking for more tips from the TeenLife Experts? Here's how to avoid falling asleep in class.]