By Taylor Greife Staff Writer
According to a study done by Springer Link, there is a positive correlation between student engagement and students’ relationships with their professors. Students that have a positive relationship with their professor are more likely to engage in class and enjoy their time at school. More often than not, building a relationship with a professor will give a student more than just course lessons when they leave. They will take valuable advice, morals, and appreciation for what that professor has provided.
Professors that enable students to feel heard are the professors that leave a lasting impression. From personal experiences, professors that reach out to students and genuinely care, motivate me to be more active in the class. It’s important for students to feel a sense of comfort at school and I believe professors are at the forefront of a comfortable environment when it comes to the classroom. The feeling of being understood is important for everyone to feel and stepping into a classroom knowing you have that sense of reassurance is vital when it comes to a student’s experience in college.
I’m sure most students have had professors that never built that personal connection with them and, in my experience, having the motivation to be a part of that class was difficult. I feel like a robot, walking in, sitting down, listening to a lecture with a blank stare, walking out. It was a repetitive process. On the other hand, classes with an instructor that has empathy for you as a student makes the class much more enjoyable. I can express myself without feeling disregarded. Students learn so much more when they are comfortable enough to engage.
ECC Cornerstone 