So, how do you talk to a Professor? Today, we are going to hit on three key items when communicating with your Professor:
- Why is it important to talk to your Professor?
- How do you write an e-mail to a Professor?
- Why are office hours important?
I will add in my own personal tips and tricks as you read.
1. Why is it important to talk to your Professor?
Well, there are many reasons. It is important to talk to your Professor to answer problems that come up in class, and you can use their professional network to help your career grow. Talking to your Professor is necessary since there will be many problems that will come up in class. Whether it is grading issues or technology problems, reaching out to talk about school issues does not have to be scary. Tip #1: With a formal and friendly tone, most Professors are easy to work with. Professors understand that part of their role as a faculty member is to teach, so most will welcome your communication with an open mind.
Professors also offer opportunities. Professors know their industry, and in doing so they have built a powerful network with industry leaders. For example, some Professors meet with recruiters to point out exemplary students the company should consider for internships/jobs. Professors also hire former students as Teaching Assistants, and they also write letters of recommendation for graduate school applications. Tip #2: Professors will do these things for students that they know on a friendly and personal level, so get to know them as people!
Well, there are many reasons. It is important to talk to your Professor to answer problems that come up in class, and you can use their professional network to help your career grow. Talking to your Professor is necessary since there will be many problems that will come up in class. Whether it is grading issues or technology problems, reaching out to talk about school issues does not have to be scary. Tip #1: With a formal and friendly tone, most Professors are easy to work with. Professors understand that part of their role as a faculty member is to teach, so most will welcome your communication with an open mind.
Professors also offer opportunities. Professors know their industry, and in doing so they have built a powerful network with industry leaders. For example, some Professors meet with recruiters to point out exemplary students the company should consider for internships/jobs. Professors also hire former students as Teaching Assistants, and they also write letters of recommendation for graduate school applications. Tip #2: Professors will do these things for students that they know on a friendly and personal level, so get to know them as people!
2. How do you write an e-mail to a Professor?
So, you want to reach out to your Professor, but you do not see them in person because class is online. Email is your best friend when you cannot talk over Zoom or in-person. Tip #3: When emailing a Professor always use your UNCC email account to send the email, do not use email for serious issues. Let’s break down the email into the most important aspects: who, subject line, content, email signature, and when to send.
Who: Always use the Professor’s UNCC email address. Email addresses can be found in their syllabus or a quick google can help. Googling keywords similar to “Professor [first name] [last name] UNCC” will usually bring up their bio on a UNCC website and their email address.
Subject Line: Always include your first name, last name, class, and 2-3 words summarizing your email. For example, this is how I would write an email to my UCOL 3410 Professor if I am having trouble uploading an assignment to Canvas: “Arjun Nag - UCOL 3410 - Canvas Error”.
Content: This is where you discuss the problem or what you need. Always have a formal opening by using the Professor’s correct title. Tip #4: Use “Dr.” if they have a Ph.D.), some Professors will have email guidelines on Canvas or in their syllabus. If you cannot find their correct title, using “Hello Professor [last name]” is always safe. Write out your whole email and spare no detail. Add line breaks where appropriate, nobody wants to read one paragraph for the entire email. After all the content is written, delete sentences that are unnecessary – effectively communicate with as little words as possible. Professors receive emails 24/7, and that is tiring! Tip #5: Making your email quick and easy to read, while clearly stating what you need, will lower chances of miscommunication and increase chances of getting exactly what you want. It will also make it easier for the Professor to respond.
Email Signature: Always use an email signature, I recommend having your signature set up in your email account settings for all emails you send. Essentials to have in your email signature: full name, University name, majors/minors, student org positions, on-campus job titles, and contact info (phone and UNCC email).
When to Send: The best time to email Professors is Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM EST. Send and reply back to emails during this window. If you are writing an email during the weekend or at a time that is not between 9-5, I highly recommend you schedule your email to send on a specific date/time. Tip #6: Schedule your email to send at 8:00 AM on the next business day. That way, the Professor sees your email at the top of their inbox when logging in the next morning.
3. Why are office hours important?
Office hours are windows of time when your Professor says they are available to meet with students, it will usually be the same day/time every week. Professors set this time so students can review content they don’t understand, get info on the next test, and clarify requirements on a big assignment/project due soon. Tip #7: These windows of time should be seen as windows of opportunity, a chance to learn and develop a relationship with your Professor.
Office hours are in person at the Professor’s office on campus, but now, Professors offer the same availability on Zoom. You can find a Professor’s office hours in their syllabus, usually with instructions on how to access the video call. Professors are also open to talking about students’ career aspirations – but only when appropriate. It is best to initiate non-academic conversation when there are no other students that need help, as academics are priority during office hours. Not every Professor is ready to have a long conversation on every topic though, so identify which Professor is best for which topic. For example, you wouldn’t go to your accounting Professor to talk about marketing firms in Charlotte! While it could be a valuable conversation, it would be better to talk to a marketing professor.
In conclusion, a lot of information, both academic and non-academic, can be learned from your Professors. If you make the extra effort to get to know them as people, then you can utilize this relationship in the future for professional advancement as well!
So, you want to reach out to your Professor, but you do not see them in person because class is online. Email is your best friend when you cannot talk over Zoom or in-person. Tip #3: When emailing a Professor always use your UNCC email account to send the email, do not use email for serious issues. Let’s break down the email into the most important aspects: who, subject line, content, email signature, and when to send.
Who: Always use the Professor’s UNCC email address. Email addresses can be found in their syllabus or a quick google can help. Googling keywords similar to “Professor [first name] [last name] UNCC” will usually bring up their bio on a UNCC website and their email address.
Subject Line: Always include your first name, last name, class, and 2-3 words summarizing your email. For example, this is how I would write an email to my UCOL 3410 Professor if I am having trouble uploading an assignment to Canvas: “Arjun Nag - UCOL 3410 - Canvas Error”.
Content: This is where you discuss the problem or what you need. Always have a formal opening by using the Professor’s correct title. Tip #4: Use “Dr.” if they have a Ph.D.), some Professors will have email guidelines on Canvas or in their syllabus. If you cannot find their correct title, using “Hello Professor [last name]” is always safe. Write out your whole email and spare no detail. Add line breaks where appropriate, nobody wants to read one paragraph for the entire email. After all the content is written, delete sentences that are unnecessary – effectively communicate with as little words as possible. Professors receive emails 24/7, and that is tiring! Tip #5: Making your email quick and easy to read, while clearly stating what you need, will lower chances of miscommunication and increase chances of getting exactly what you want. It will also make it easier for the Professor to respond.
Email Signature: Always use an email signature, I recommend having your signature set up in your email account settings for all emails you send. Essentials to have in your email signature: full name, University name, majors/minors, student org positions, on-campus job titles, and contact info (phone and UNCC email).
When to Send: The best time to email Professors is Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM EST. Send and reply back to emails during this window. If you are writing an email during the weekend or at a time that is not between 9-5, I highly recommend you schedule your email to send on a specific date/time. Tip #6: Schedule your email to send at 8:00 AM on the next business day. That way, the Professor sees your email at the top of their inbox when logging in the next morning.
3. Why are office hours important?
Office hours are windows of time when your Professor says they are available to meet with students, it will usually be the same day/time every week. Professors set this time so students can review content they don’t understand, get info on the next test, and clarify requirements on a big assignment/project due soon. Tip #7: These windows of time should be seen as windows of opportunity, a chance to learn and develop a relationship with your Professor.
Office hours are in person at the Professor’s office on campus, but now, Professors offer the same availability on Zoom. You can find a Professor’s office hours in their syllabus, usually with instructions on how to access the video call. Professors are also open to talking about students’ career aspirations – but only when appropriate. It is best to initiate non-academic conversation when there are no other students that need help, as academics are priority during office hours. Not every Professor is ready to have a long conversation on every topic though, so identify which Professor is best for which topic. For example, you wouldn’t go to your accounting Professor to talk about marketing firms in Charlotte! While it could be a valuable conversation, it would be better to talk to a marketing professor.
In conclusion, a lot of information, both academic and non-academic, can be learned from your Professors. If you make the extra effort to get to know them as people, then you can utilize this relationship in the future for professional advancement as well!
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