©istockphoto.com/Nicholas Monu

It’s easy to feel faceless in a 100-student lecture—not to mention intimidated! Students often receive lower grades in large lectures, due in part to the fact that individualized professor-student interaction may be nearly nonexistent. That’s why it falls on you to go out of your way to cultivate that relationship.

So, how can you get to know your professor? Here are nine surefire ways:

Try a Good Old-Fashioned Handshake.
After the first class, go to the professor and introduce yourself. Shake hands. Ask a quick question about the course, textbook, etc. This will put a face to your name and give you a feel for the professor’s approachability. If the prof’s intimidating or seems harried, talk to the TA.

Go to Office Hours.
Unlike high school, “going to the office” is great in college! Most professors set aside a few hours per week for students to stop in and talk. If possible, make an appointment for a specific time. “Office hours are the one place where I can work with students one-on-one, and that's an important part of learning in my class,” says Sean McNaughton, a graphics professor at Syracuse University.

Time to Buy a Watch.
The simplest way to avoid negative attention is by getting to class on time. And once you’re there, don’t stare longingly at the clock. It’s rude, and the professor will notice.

Talk Shop.
Your professors are people, too! “We teach because we love to do it, and we research areas in which we have genuine, long-term interest,” says McNaughton. “If your interests overlap, ask about it. Any shared interests are a great way to make personal connections.”