Building Successful Working Relationships with Professors

What Professors Appreciate:

  • Attending all class and lab sessions
  • Active participation during class
  • Being on time staying entire class period
  • Completed homework
  • Being prepared for class information
  • Respect

What Professors Don't Appreciate:

  • Students unprepared for class
  • Talking in class, Cell Phones, Net Surfing in class
  • Falling asleep in class
  • Disrespect (Disruptive behavior is determined by the Professor)
  • Students not coming to meet with them

When going to meet with a Professor (or using e-mail):

  • Go during assigned office hours, or schedule a meeting
  • Speak and act respectfully
  • Be specific with your questions or concerns
  • Be honest
  • Accept responsibly
  • Bring any relevant documentation or coursework (show specific area needing assistance)
  • Show professor you attempted the work prior to the meeting/show example in e-mail.
  • Be reasonable with your expectations ask their expectations of you

Try using the following phrases when meeting with a professor:

Professor X, I need your help.

  • if you were a student in your class, what would YOU do to get a ´95' or better in your class?
  • I'm not getting the kind of grades I know I can in your class; please tell me," What do you think I'm doing wrong?"
  • other than the textbook, what other outside resources would you recommend I use to help me in your class?
  • would you mind if I came by during your office hours to get some additional help?
  • what do you think the key is to mastering (whatever the subject is)?

(Adapted from "Taming the Tough Professor" by Joseph Martin)