how to communicate with your professors

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR PROFESSORS:

A Student’s Guide to Survival

Compiled by Steve Fox, August 2011

YO, PROF!

NO TO YO!

RULE NO. 1

First impressions matter. Trust me, they do.

Say No to the Yo.

Use proper Salutations. Find out how your professor wants to be addressed.

ANSWER ME NOW!

PATIENCE

RULE NO. 2

Professors are busy people, be patient.

If you send an e-mail at 2 a.m. and expect a response by 2:15 a.m., you’re not being realistic.

Be courteous. Check for grammar and spelling in your e-mail. Don’t use text-speak. Never EVER send an e-mail in anger.

I’M IN CRISIS!

TIMING IS KEY

RULE NO. 3

If you’re having trouble editing that video file at midnight, fight the urge to gchat with your professor.

Remember that inappropriately informal and/or unprofessional emails leave indelible marks.

If you wait until the last minute to ask for help, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

BE MY FRIEND?

A FINE LINE

RULE NO. 4

Different professors have different policies regarding social media. Find out what they are.

LinkedIn is a good way to network upon graduation, but check with your professors.

Decide NOW: Is Social Media a playground or a place to network? Don’t waste the time of your professor if you’re showing Spring Break photos.

TECHNOLOGY IS WONDERFUL

BUT…..

RULE NO. 5

Face-to-face communication still matters.

The value of the five-minute drop-in with your professor is often underestimated.

Professors remember conversations in person, not e-mail exchanges. Show up and talk to your professor. Make an impression.

Go Grab The Ball!