Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
Like many college first years, I was anxious to begin my academic career in college. I was intimidated by college classrooms and professors.
During my first weeks of classes, I was put at ease by friendly classroom environments and warm professors. I was pleasantly surprised that all of my professors knew my name even though I was taking two courses in Elkins Auditorium which can hold hundreds of students.
It was refreshing to know that my Pepperdine professors cared about me so much that they would learn my name. I was not an outlier in this; most professors knew the names of many if not all of the students in my classes.
This simple gesture meant a lot to me during my first semester at Pepperdine, and I still think about it when I attend my classes. Because Pepperdine professors likely teach hundreds of students each semester, I understand that knowing all of their names is not an easy task.
Knowing and using my name is just the tip of the iceberg. Many of my professors know about my hometown, my interests and read articles I write for the Graphic.
My interactions with Pepperdine professors have been so impactful that I have tried to replicate them with the new friends I have made at Pepperdine.
This goes beyond knowing their names to remembering events they have told me about. I try my best to follow up with them about it over text or the next time I see them in person.
To be honest, this does not come to me naturally. It is difficult to manage that many details.
To make the task easier, I channel my efforts toward the people closest to me. My goal is to show that I care about them and am interested in their lives.
I am slowly learning what a warm greeting, calling someone by name and a genuine question can do to turn around someone’s day.
This simple trick can be used in almost any setting, personal or professional, with immeasurable benefits.
Using students’ names in a classroom setting builds community and encourages student engagement, according to Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning.
A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine found that students benefited most from the perception that professors knew their names; whether or not the professor actually knew their name had little benefit.
The most efficient way to give this perception is through name tents, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Name tents can be used in classrooms and most workplace environments. Bosses or professors can call on people by name without having the names memorized.
In personal relationships, calling someone by name affirms their sense of identity. It grabs their attention and signals a baseline of respect and consideration for someone else’s thoughts, according to Michigan State University.
I believe using someone’s name is the perfect way to begin a conversation, especially when specifically seeking them out in a busy area to speak. This leads to my main goal of creating meaningful relationships.
That being said, it can be difficult to memorize people’s names, especially if they are acquaintances or distant friends. Additionally, pronouncing unique names correctly can be a daunting task on top of remembering the name.
Names are easier to memorize if they’re repeated, written and heard, especially if they are difficult to pronounce. Asking clarifying questions on spelling or remembering both a first and last name also makes names more memorable, according to Michigan State University.
Knowing and frequently using people’s names increases a sense of community and affirms another person’s identity. I believe the purpose behind knowing someone’s name is an invitation to get to know them better.
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Contact Caitlin Murray via email: caitlin.murray@pepperdine.edu or by Instagram: @caitlin_murray36
