Professors

How to Communicate with your

Overview
Who are your professors? Why visit your professors? Preparing to meet with your professor How to find your professor Action Plan
What are some reasons some students are hesitant to meet with their professors?

Who your professors are NOT

Who are your professors?

Who are your professors?

They want to:

inspire

Why visit your professors?

Assignments
Show you care, and theyll do the same

Career Advising
Utilize experts in your field

D+ D+

Networking
Build relationships that may yield:
research and leadership opportunities internships and interviews grad school admission

Prepare to meet with your professor

Professors expect:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Respect Promptness Thoughtfulness Effort Succinctness Specificity

You should:
1. Use titles of respect: Dr. & Prof. 2. Be timely, for meetings and requests for help 3. Think about the concepts with which you struggle 4. Explain which resources youve already utilized 5. Keep emails short, and be timesensitive when others are waiting 6. Ask for specific help for specific problems

*Bonus* Share the aspects of class that excite you!

Your Turn
Compose an email to one of your professors, and consider the following:
Whats your concern?
Can you find the solution in your course material? Have you already sought out other resources?

What do you need from the professor?

Does your professor need to address your concern in person?

Example
Hi Dr. Menke, Im in your PHYS 008-20. I am struggling with the material about kinetics, and I also have questions about some of the problems I missed on the exam. Ive been to three tutoring sessions, but I have work during some of the tutoring times. Im not available during your office hours, so Id like to make an appointment. Do you have time this week, Thursday after 3pm or Friday before 9am? Thank you, Jane Student 100123456

How to find your professor?

Action Plan
1. Identify one professor you will meet with this week. 2. Commit to meeting with the professor of any class you are struggling with (C- or lower). 3. Commit to meeting with the professor of any class you are really interested in. 4. Put pen to paper and write out your plan for each meeting, using the recommendations from this workshop.

Contact Info
Stacie Jenkins Undeclared Advisor
Bright Success Center, KL 222 sjenkins2@ucmerced.edu

My favorite professor in college!