Is it possible to date a professor

He smiled at her. He asked her to turn down the volume. Sasha said she jokingly told him she was upset he wasn't her cookie delivery. In this circumstance, Sasha's uncertainty about their connection played a key factor in her decision not to pursue a relationship with her RA. But furthermore, she felt it wasn't right. If you find yourself crushing on a professor, TA, or RA in college, check out your university's specific policy when it comes to these relationships.

After all, you may find yourself drawn to these seemingly illicit relationships because of the allure of it's 'off-limits' nature — so better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, Masini says these kind of "forbidden" relationships may have a fighting chance once you've graduated, or if your RA or TA is no longer in a position where they can wield power over you. Go to class regularly. Unless it is a really big lecture class, your professor will probably notice when you are missing. It will be hard to impress her or catch her eye if you don't show up.

Sit up front. You'll want to catch your professor's eye and make sure he knows who you are. Sitting in front will put you close to him, and probably make it easier for him to recognize you. This can be especially important in a large lecture class, where the professor almost certainly won't make an effort to learn the names of all students. Make eye contact. Locking eyes is a powerful way to signal a connection. Chances are you won't get the chance for several seconds of staring into each other's eyes, so be ready to look back at him when he scans the room.

A few seconds of eye contact every couple of minutes can go a long way, even subconsciously. You might miss something important, and he'll probably notice you not paying attention to your work. Make sure you are smiling when you make eye contact. Putting a friendly look on your face will make you look confident and more attractive.

This is all the more important when you are making eye contact with him for those brief moments. Dress nicely for class. Avoid revealing clothing, as that is inappropriate for the classroom. Instead, wear clean, form-fitting clothing that accentuates the positive parts of your physique. You will impress your professor by looking professional, or at least not ruin his or her opinion of you by dressing inappropriately. For style, accentuate your curves, especially those parts of your body that you want your professor to look at.

Nice shoes, instead of a ragged pair of old sneakers, can help as well. In terms of color, red is always good for drawing attention, and projecting an image of strength and confidence. Participate in class.

Professors love it when students ask and answer questions. It lets them know they are reaching students, and that the class is engaged in what is going on. The important thing is that your professor sees you as paying attention and willing to learn. Avoid joke answers, as professors usually find that to be an annoying distraction. Lean forward when you talk in class. You won't be able to use a lot of body language tricks, since you'll be stuck at a desk, so something subtle will have to do.

Leaning forward when you talk reinforces that you want to get closer to her, even if that effect will probably only be subconscious. Help your professor. Running a class can be difficult, especially when it is probably one of several your professor has, and he will appreciate any help he can get. Volunteer to present something, or jump into discussions during silence. This will help give your professor a positive opinion of you.

This can work in an in-class debate, or if another student is trying to argue about the requirements for an assignment. Keep your input brief, as it is more important that your professor notices you jumped in to help rather than what you actually said. This is also the kind of thing you can do after class, telling your professor that you appreciated the position he took.

If he seems harried or in need of a helping hand, don't be afraid to ask. He may not need your help, but will appreciate your offering.

Do well in the class. Your professor is more likely to notice a student who is doing well and making an effort to be successful in class. Professors notice and like students who follow directions and show improvement over the course of the semester. Making sure you follow all directions given for an assignment is a great way to stay on your professor's good side.

Ignoring or missing required steps is an annoyance, while doing things as requested can help you stand out from all the students who don't. Plus, you can always ask about your professor's reasoning for those requirements, another great excuse to talk to her. Tell the professor he is doing a good job. Professors work hard on their classes, and like the satisfaction of knowing that it went well. Plus, this little bit of conversation becomes another way for him to remember who you are.

Be sure to smile and make eye contact when you tell him this. This gives you a friendly demeanor, and subtly suggests you are trying to make a connection. Pay attention for clues about her personal life. It is hard for class to focus on the subject material the whole time, and your professor will surely slip in comments about her life and interests. Learning this information is not necessarily for your use in class, but so you have some topics in mind to talk about later.

I had made the choice to make a grown man in a position of power shake with desire. One night postcoital, professor and I were eating roasted nuts and drinking red wine naked in his bed. I was 20 years old at this point. We put it on. In the film, Woody Allen plays his typical pervy-uncle trope, twice-divorced, in the midst of dating a year-old. Do you believe that? Not that I have anything to hide … but there are a few disgusting little moments that I regret.

Watching that film that night with professor, I realized my role as a time-wasting toy, the fun tonic for revitalizing the jaded, irresponsible prof. I realized that the fact my professor even showed me this film was a game. I was all a game. But things carried on. At many schools, there are no formal rules about professors dating students. It is discouraged, but not prohibited. For most educators, there is an unwritten rule that getting involved with students is a bad idea.

Nationally, universities have taken different approaches to the problem of professor-student relationships. Faculty members are also required to inform their supervisor if they are having a relationship with a student.

At the College of William and Mary in Virginia, all dating between professors and undergraduates was banned. This is the direct result of a former instructor writing an embarrassing article about his affair with a student. The most popular approach is to ban relationships between professors and the students they supervise. This eliminates conflicts of interest but does not get involved in the personal lives of consenting adults. It is usually suggested that no professor should date a student in his class.

If a relationship would develop, the professor is required to disclose it so that conflicts can be managed if they arise. Generally, most students have no interest in dating one of their professors.