How to Talk to your Professor

How to Talk to Your Professor

While it can seem scary to talk to your professor, they are there to help you! If you aren’t sure what to do, here are some tips for making your relationship with your professor stress-free and fruitful.

Office Hours

If you are unfamiliar with office hours, these are times that your professor has set aside in their week for students to come and talk to them without an appointment. They are almost always listed in your syllabus. They are not required (unless specifically stated in the syllabus), but they can be very helpful. The best thing you can do if you are confused about an assignment is to go to your professor’s office hours. You can really just go to their office and ask your question. It is not a bother or an inconvenience to them, even if they appear to be working on other things. Those hours are set aside for you, so make use of them!

 

Make an Appointment

If you are unable to make your professor’s office hours, try making an appointment with them. Remember that they are there to help you! Some professors will have their availability listed in Passport, but if not, simply email them to find the best time. When you make an appointment, it is important to show up on time to show respect and to ensure that you have enough time to discuss your question.

 

Emails

When you are emailing your professor, it is important to be professional and cordial. College is not only an environment where you learn the information you need to succeed, but it’s also a place to learn how to be a professional in the workplace. So, unless your professor explicitly tells you otherwise, use formal language and structure in your email communication. Also, the correct salutation will differ depending on the degrees and qualifications of your professor. If you know your professor has a doctorate (usually a PhD or an EdD), feel free to use "Dr." Or if your professor is a Captain, use "Capt." But if you are unsure, "professor" is the most inclusive term and shows respect without having to know the exact title. Here is an example:

Dear Professor SoandSo,

I am writing to ask a question about one of our assignments. I wasn’t sure what you meant by rough draft. How much of the paper do I need to have done for it to count as a rough draft? Thanks so much and I appreciate your help!

Sincerely,

Sally Student

It is possible your professor will reply informally, or you may develop a relationship with them wherein you can use their first name or send a quick unformatted question. But unless, or until, that happens, it is always best to err on the side of too formal, to show respect and to develop your professionalism.

 

How to Ask Questions

Whether in person or in an email, it helps to be specific in your questions. Your professor can help you more easily if you can be as clear as possible regarding your concern. So rather than say “I am just really bad at math” you might want to say, “I don’t understand exponents, can you explain them to me?” 

It also might help if you determine what learning style you are, so that you can explain to your professor how you learn best. For example, you might say “you lectured about how to write introductions, and I took notes, but I learn things really well if I can see them. Can we maybe make a flow chart on how to write introductions?”

 

Talking about Difficult Topics

Sometimes you will need to talk to your professor about something sensitive or difficult, like grades or attendance. In these cases, it is best to be honest, direct, and realistic.

Emergencies: If you have a family or health emergency and turn in an assignment late or miss class, it is better that you tell your professor so that they can help you. Professors are people too and they understand that sometimes life happens. However, if you miss class for multiple days and do not communicate why, your professor will not have any context about your situation, and they won’t be able to help you complete your work. Additionally, if you have an emergency of this nature, reach out to the University Advisors, who can help you.

Grades: If you have poor grades and you are looking for ways to improve them, you should talk to your professor about it. Sometimes there is extra credit work you can do to improve your grade. However, before you ask about extra credit, be sure you have completed all outstanding assignments. Oftentimes the easiest way to get your grade up is to complete everything that is required in the class. Additionally, if you can show your professor that you have worked hard (perhaps by going to tutoring) then your professor will be more inclined to help. The most important thing to remember is that professors do not “assign” grades. They are earned by you, the student. So while your professor can sometimes provide additional opportunities, they cannot change a grade you earned.

Extensions: Sometimes even if there is not an emergency, you might need an extension on a paper or an assignment. If you provide a reason, such an illness or unexpected event, it is legitimate to ask your professor for an extension. Simply be honest about your reason and propose a reasonable time in which you will have the assignment completed. Remember though that your professor is not required to give you an extension (unless you have sought accommodation though Disability Services), but it is okay to ask.  If you find yourself needing extensions on a regular basis, or you often need more time to take your tests, consider speaking to Accessibility and Disability Services, who can help you find a solution. 

Recommendations: Though not a difficult topic, sometimes asking your professor for a recommendation letter can be a bit daunting. But this is part of their job and especially if you have shown good work in their class, they will oftentimes be happy to do so. However, you must give them enough time because you will not be their only student. A good rule of thumb is to ask your professor for a letter at least a month before it is due, but it is best to give them as much time as you can. When asking for the letter, give your professor as much information as you have. Is there a prompt? Is there a word or page limit? Where do they submit? The more information you give them, the easier it will be for your professor to help you.