# What is the best way to ask for recommendation letters?

**URL:** <https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-ask-for-recommendation-letters/7598>\
**Category:** Answers\
**Tags:** rec-letters, collegeadmissions\
**Created:** [February 5, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-ask-for-recommendation-letters/7598 "2016-02-05T05:38:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![chris\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@chris\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/chris_prepscholar)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-ask-for-recommendation-letters/7598/1 "2016-02-05T05:38:24Z")

</div>

I'm a pretty quiet kid and I don't really participate in any of my classes. I know this is kind of a huge problem and it's beginning to worry me. What if come next year I don't feel comfortable asking any teachers for recommendations? Does anyone have any tips for me (a junior) while I still have some time to fix this?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/sam_prepscholar)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 11:22am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-ask-for-recommendation-letters/7598/2 "2016-02-05T11:22:04Z")

</div>

**First, think about who is most likely to give you a solid recommendation.** Which subjects do you like best? Do you feel more comfortable around a certain teacher? Once you have a couple of class/teacher combos picked out based on these criteria, you can begin to put additional effort into participating in class and demonstrating interest in the material. **If you go above and beyond in your assignments and show your teacher that you respect them and care about learning, that alone can be enough to nail down a good recommendation.**

**You should still make more of an effort to participate, but you don't need to be overly aggressive.** It's sometimes helpful to make a rule for yourself and hold yourself to it. For example, **decide that you're going to answer one question in class at least every other day.** Your teacher will see that you're making an effort to get outside of your comfort zone for the sake of a better learning experience, and he or she will appreciate that.

**Finally, if you believe you could benefit from extra help in any of the classes where you're thinking of asking for a recommendation, don't hesitate to ask.** Again, this will show your teacher that you're a conscientious student and you place a high value on your education.

**Source:** Personal experience - I was a shy kid in high school who didn't get all buddy-buddy with my teachers, but I still ended up with great recommendations because teachers knew I took their classes seriously and cared about the subjects.