Resources

How to Engage with Professors

Reflect on Your Work

  • Before hastily sending your professor an email about the results of a recent exam or paper, spend some time reflecting on your performance. Did you put your best effort into the project? Did you miss anything in the instructions? Carefully review your professor's feedback. If there is a lack of commentary, this would be a great opportunity to schedule an appointment to get clarification. 

Know When to Schedule an Appointment

  • If you are planning to discuss grades, opt for an in-person meeting. E-mail makes it difficult for professors to explain the difficult concepts missed in a recent assignment. An in-person meeting, on the other hand, allows the professor to cover difficult informational and suggest ways to boost your overall grade. 

Ask Relevant Questions

  • If you are stopping by your professor's office or sending an e-mail, be sure to ask thoughtful questions. These questions should not be broad or generic such as, "I'm not sure if my paper is right, can you check it?". Students should identify specific sentences, paragraphs, or concepts that need attention. Your questions are very important because they will guide the conversation.

Treat Your Professor Like a Person, Not a Machine

  • Sometimes professors make mistakes (wow, right?). If you believe something was incorrectly marked on an exam or paper, respectfully let them know. If they haven't responded to your email, send a gentle follow-up. 

Avoid Aggressive Language

  • When communicating with professors, be careful not to employ aggressive or accusatory language. Using "You said", for example, is an intense statement. Instead refer to concrete documents that help explain your confusion - "The syllabus notes..."

Extenuating Circumstances

  • If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances that may exceed the policies on the syllabus, talk to your professor. If they know what you are dealing with, they can try to accommodate or offer resources to help you succeed.