Professors need to know that you want to learn. Usually, talking to a professor after class and running into them on campus will be enough. But it is possible to take this to the next level? If you have a heavy schedule, or have a particularly challenging class, here is a tip.
Within the first three weeks of class, go see your professor during their posted office hours. You have to do this early in the semester. Late in the semester their office will be full of students not doing well in the class. Find something, anything that you have found remotely interesting. Then ask about additional reading.
"I am very intrigued about the life of Eugene Debs. I looked on Amazon and there are over 30 biographies. Can you recommend the best one?"
Yes, additional reading. Now hear me out. Once your professor gives you a title write it down. Go immediately to the library. Devote one hour to reading the book. No more. This should be enough to get through the introduction and conclusion. Find something in the book that interests you. You will know it when you see it. Write it down in your class notes. Make sure you footnote and record the author and title. Now put a huge star next to this in your notes.
Either in a midterm or your final exam (or both) use the information from this book in your essay question. This cost you one hour of your time. You will get credit for reading the whole book and doing extra work outside of class. Not to mention that you have just proved yourself to be the student who is the most interested in this class.
This is the most important point here. During the first three weeks you will have more time than later in the semester when papers and projects are due in every other class you are taking. Put in the time now to be interested in the class. When your semester gets hard and you no longer have time to read class material you already have your extra credit reading completed.
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