A lot of people think sitting front and center at a lecture is lame. Lame and nerdy. And a lot more think having scintillating discussions with the professor after class is even lamer.

But I think it’s the smartest thing you can do.

Make no mistake about it, even if you go to a small liberal arts college where kids walk around without shoes and you know the name of everyone in your class, you’re still one of hundreds. One of the hundreds of students your professor has.

Just another face, another paper, to be graded quickly before Must See TV comes on at 9:00.

But what if you want to do extra well in the class?

What if you’re like me, and really anal about your reputation, and simply can’t deal with the fact that someone might think you’re not trying? What if you’re taking that required math course, and honestly can’t remember those 5th grade times tables?

You get to know your professor.

*Be Engaged: Sitting front and center, looking awake, keeping your body language open and available helps your professor see that you’re actually taking in what they’re saying. After staring into a sea of glazed-over eyes, finding yours open and watching will set that professor’s heart aflutter.

*Answer Questions: Nobody likes know-it-alls and morons who love the sound of their own voice, but raising your hand once a class will keep you on your professor’s radar. Just make sure you have something worthwhile to say, because believe it or not, professors hate idiots just as much as you do.

*Use Office Hours: Whenever I was working on a paper, even if I was pretty clear on the assignment, I’d always drop by my professor’s office during their scheduled hours. Not only can you get any question you have answered by the source, but if you’re half-interesting, you’ll routinely find yourself talking about non school related things. Ask them about their lives. Don’t be freaky about it, but treating a professor like a person never hurt anyone.

*Talk Outside of Class: If you see your professor around campus, say hi. If you see them shopping for vegetables, say hi. Let them know how friendly you are. How nice. Even the fairest grader has a heart.

*Let Them See You Try: Most importantly, make sure your professor knows how hard you work. Bring in multiple drafts to their office hours. Ask questions. Send emails. Don’t be a stalker, but remember that your professor is there to help you. That’s their job.

Professors are human—even if some of them don’t seem that way. The more of a repartee you have with them, the more careful they’ll be in grading your papers and tests. While being friendly has never earned anyone an A when they really deserved a D (I mean, unless someone’s sleeping with someone), getting to know a teacher on a personal level makes them want to see you succeed.

And when they want you to succeed, everybody wins.