Omar Murillo

Approaching Your Professors

Jesus Clemente

AgendaDeveloping RelationshipsMyths and AssumptionsKey Elements of CommunicationBenefits and OpportunitiesPreparing to CommunicatePreparing for Your VisitDuring Your VisitActivity and Discussion

Reasons to talk to your professor…You've fallen behind in class because of

illness You've failed a test or assignment and do not

understand the course material You have questions about the requirements

of a given assignment You need advice on the subject of your major You need clarification on an assignment,

course policies and/or your scheduleSpecial situations or circumstancesMany other reasons exist…

Why Do Students Avoid Seeking Help?Common anxieties experienced by students:

Feeling "out of the loop" after missing several classes

Fear of asking a "dumb question" Fear of confrontation Shyness Discomfort over approaching a professor of a

different age, gender, race, or culture Tendency to avoid interactions with those in

authority

Preparing for Your VisitIt is a good idea to prepare for your meeting with a professor. Here are some things to do prior to your visit.Remember that your professor’s office hours are their preferred time to meet. It may be a good idea to mention you will be coming by.Try not to cancel your appointment. However, if you cannot attend, be sure to notify your professor as soon as possible.Prepare good, specific questions and gather materials such as your notes, textbook, previous tests, assignments, etc.If you want assistance with your paper, you should bring a draft to edit. If you are having trouble understanding something that you are reading, be ready to reference a specific part of the text. If you are having trouble working out problems, be sure to try the problems ahead of time so you know what you need assistance with.

When to approach your professors

Appropriate Inappropriate

Office HoursSpecified/Previously

arranged timesBefore ClassAfter Class

During ClassAt the storeAt the moviesAt professor’s homeEtc.

TIP: When you go in to office hours, be ready. Know what you want to ask, have your book or papers ready and have a notepad handy. That way you appear to be an organized and responsible person (even if deep down you feel a bit chaotic) and that is something they will remember about you.

CommunicationCommunication is typically the real stumbling block between student and professor. In many instances you can set things right by approaching your professor personally:Arrange to meet the professor during office hours. There may be too many distractions before or after the class.Go in with the right attitude. The university setting isn’t only about acquiring the technical knowledge needed for a profession. It’s about preparing you for the real-world. And in the world you will encounter “difficult” people in the workplace, in community activities and even in the supermarket.Also take into account professors are people and are subject to the same professional and personal stresses we all encounter.

Electronic Communication…1. Appropriate Account/Username

2. Subject line- First and Last Name plus Course Name

3. Greeting/Acknowledgment

1. Start with a sense of respect

4. The Message Itself

1. Be specific and present it in an organized manner.

5. Concluding the Message

1. End with appreciation

NOTE: Carbon Copy (Cc:) or Blind/Blank Copy (Bcc:)

Getting Feedback…1. Your thoughts on this?

2. I do need to get your feedback on this.

3. I’m looking forward to any feedback you can provide.

4. Please notify me, hopefully before the weekend is over, on what I should do.

5. I need your advice.

6. Please help me.

7. If possible, please review the draft and reply.

8. Here is my essay, please help me check it.

9. I sent my research paper to you to put your comments on last Friday. Up to today, I have not received any from you.

10. I want to know the results of the final exam so please let me know as soon as possible.

11. **Pragmatics and language…

How to talk to your professors

“You” Statements “I” Statements“You” statements (not so

good)Example: “You go too

fast when you lecture…”Example: “Your aren’t

marking it clear what is and is not important…”

Example: You have a thick accent and I can’t understand what you say…

“I” Statement (good)Example: “I am

having trouble keeping up during lecture…”

Example: “I want to do better on the next test, I would like to understand why I missed points on some of the questions on this test. I seem to be confused…”

Communication Review

LISTEN and speak skillfully not just talking mindlessly.

Interacting with fearful, angry or frustrated people can be more difficult, because we’re less skillful when caught up in emotions.

Don’t take another person’s reaction or anger personally, even if they lash out at you in what seems like a personal manner. Another person’s mood or response is more likely about fear or frustration then it is about you as a individual

Ask and ListenAsk and Listen:: Successful students, counselors, and salespeople are masters of asking and listening.  They understand that the more you know about another person, the more influential and helpful you can be. 

Effective listening means being fully focused on the other person – not fidgeting, multi-tasking, or impatiently waiting for your turn to talk.

Benefits of establishing relationships with your professors…

Creating long-term relationshipsPossible recommendation lettersReferencesUtilizing the best resource in the classroomProfessional network

General Tips for Successful Student/Professor Communication

Review the syllabus throughout the semester and bring the syllabus with you to class. The syllabus explains the faculty/student expectations and responsibilities for the semester. Be aware that changes may be necessary during the semester.

Keep all of your course work and course materials until the end of the semester and after you have learned your official grade. If you have questions about a grade, you can review your work and compare it with the requirements of the course.

Grade appeals are an option but you must prove your case.

During Your VisitExplain to your professor how you study-

whether you are focusing on the material in the text, from the lecture or both.

Explain whether you understand the assigned readings, are working the practice problems, etc.

Ask your professor how they recommend to study and prepare for the course.Your professor may know of other students in

the class who may be interested in studying together.

They may also have additional resources to aid you in your studies.

Lets practice…role play!Scenario 1

You are an athlete and you have missed 3 classes this semester and you are falling behind. How would you approach your professor?

Scenario 2You have trouble understanding the professor because

he/she has a very strong accent which is making things hard to understand in class. How do you approach your professor?

Scenario 3 You are taking BIO 240 and CHEM 111 and you are afraid

the workload may be too much. You are not meeting the requirements in the class and are worried you might fail. What do you do?

Scenario 4 There has been a family emergency back at home and you

have to leave school. What would be the proper way to handle this situation, and do you need to let the institution know as well? What do you do?

Small Group Activity1. Your class syllabus says you can only miss 3

classes. You had already missed two when an unexpected death causes you to miss two class days for a funeral, and you were not able to give the professor prior notice.

2. Your professor just gave the class a major assignment that is due, in two days. You have a very busy schedule at your job for the next two days, there is no way you can complete the assignment on time.

3. You feel strongly that your grade on a major assignment is unfair (too low).

4. You just got back an exam, and you found that the professor accidentally scored your exam 10 points too high.

Omar Murillo

Approaching Your Professors

Jesus Clemente