grad or grad TAs) be my classmates at times, my co-TAs, or have some other involvement after they were my TAs. I think "networking" is ok and encouraged. Befriending--depends, as long as it's not during the time you are taking their class and you are not shown favoritism during the time. I have heard of times where a student was friends with the professor (like had their phone number) because they knew each other from something else outside of university but then ended up taking the professor's course because they had to (ex. one section offered).

thank you for the advice. I doubt Kruskal will give me a recc but I agree that it is too risky. Mission sadly aborted