DE C O D I N G YOUR PROFESSORS

1. DECODING YOUR PROFESSORS Educational Development Centre University of Windsor

2. Presentation Overview • Professor expectations • How to properly address your professor • Email etiquette • Importance of communicating with your professor • Professor pet peeves

3. Professor Expectations • Each professor will have their own specific expectations and guidelines for: - attendance policies - citation styles - the use of laptops - assignment submission - assignment requirements and format • Find out what each professor expects, and find this out early!

4. Professor Expectations continued… • Professors want you to apply your knowledge and take chances • Professors expect you to meet the basic requirements, but they hope you will go beyond that and learn how to present an argument, think critically, and solve problems. • Repeating back exactly what was said in class shows you understand the information, but may not demonstrate your ability to apply it

5. Course Syllabus • Each course will have a syllabus • Use this tool to find out what the professor expects from his or her students • The syllabus should become your new best friend as it contains important information like: • Course outline • Schedule of due dates • Responsibilities and requirements (readings, textbooks) • Procedures (in case of illness, absence, etc.) • Grading policies

6. How do I Address My Professor? • Always address your professor formally, as Dr. X or Professor Y, unless they invite you to address them by their first name • If unsure, just use “professor” or check the course syllabus to see what their title may be • You should always properly address your professor in written communication (emails) and face-to-face interactions

7. Email Etiquette • When sending emails to your professor, be sure to use good email etiquette • Use a salutation, like “Hello Dr. X” • Identify yourself – give your full name, the name of the course or course code, the section number you are in etc. • Be professional and cordial – do not use text message slang or short forms and fully explain your question or issue with detail • Do not be hostile or aggressive with your communication – explain your concern or situation rationally to get thebest results in a positive manner

8. Email Etiquette continued… • Avoid making spelling or grammatical errors • – proofread your email to make a better impression • Write in the subject line • -include the topic, your name, or course number in the email so the professor knows what the email pertains to • Always use your UWindsor email address • -other email accounts will be sent to the professor’s junk mail and they may not respond • Allow your professor time to respond • -if you send an email at 12:30am about an assignment due the next day, do not expect an immediate response. - Professors need to sleep too and they are not available 24-7 to answer emails

9. Can you spot which emails follow the Email Etiquette tips? 1 Hey prof!why did i get a D on that paper? I cannot believe the mark you gave me on assignement! It was amazing paper and I deserve at least and A! this is unaccepteable and you need to change my grade right now! OMG!-Greg 2 Hello Dr. Banner, I would like to make an appointment with you to discuss some problems I am having writing my paper on Teen Eating Disorders for your course 01-23-345. Please let me know a time that is convenient for you.Thank-you, -Sandra Hadler 3 Good afternoon Professor, When I got my assignment back for the course 02-54-123 section 1, I was a bit disappointed with my grade. I worked really hard on this paper and did not get the results I was hoping for. Can I come see you during your office hours to discuss my work? Perhaps you would be able to give me some suggestions on how to improve for the next assignment.Regards, -Ken Raymond 4

10. Talk to Your Professors! • Get to know your university professors • Approach them after class, visit them during their office hours, send them an email • Why? What’s in it for me?

11. Talk to Your Professors continued… • Professors know lots of people in your chosen discipline. • A lot of professors are well-connected (e.g. people at other universities, government and private sector) • Summer internships, post-college jobs, and events where you can network • Professors have lots of students and you’re one name among many. • Making personal contact outside of class can help in terms of evaluation, feedback on assignments, and the inside track on research projects

12. Talk to Your Professors continued… • Professors know the literature in your field. • Directing you to books, articles, films, and other valuable resources • Professors know the various career paths in their field. • Some students approach graduation every year with no idea of what they should, could, or want to do next • A professor can help you understand the potential of your degree

13. Talk to Your Professors continued… • Professors can help straighten out administrative issues. • they know how things work on campus or can refer you to a person who can help • It’s always worth a shot! • Professors write letters of recommendation. • Whether you’re applying for a scholarship, heading to graduate school, or trying to get your dream job, having a reference letter from a professor who knows you well can be a huge benefit

14. Why Ask Questions? Why not! You have nothing to lose but an opportunity to learn! • Ask questions about things you do not understand or want to know more about – they are the experts! • It can be intimidating to ask questions, especially in a large class, so save your questions for their office hours, or send an email. • Professors are impressed by students who take the time to ask insightful questions, or any questions at all. It shows that you are engaged in your learning and want to succeed.

15. Be Aware of Your Professor’s Pet Peeves • Whining • Students who whine about the workload give the impression that they are lazy • If you have a complaint or a conflict, approach the situation as respectfully as possible • Text messaging your friends in class • Yes, this is a creative and technology savvy way to pass the time. However, when you send a text message, it says to the professor, “You’re boring and I don’t want to pay attention to you.”

16. Professor’s Pet Peeves continued… • Chatting • This isn’t high school. Chatting during class will also annoy your fellow classmates. • Turning in papers without staples • Nothing says, “I don’t care about my work” more than a paper with crinkled corners • The way your work is presented gives the first impression. Make it a good one! • Chronic lateness/ leaving class early • This is distracting to the professor and other students. If there’s a good reason as to why you are going to be late or leaving class early, let your professor know.

17. Professor’s Pet Peeves continued… • Calling professors at home • Unless your professor invites you to do so, this is an invasion of privacy • Failure to turn off cell phones • Put your cell phone on vibrate or turn it off. Practice good cell phone etiquette on campus. Your professor doesn’t want to hear your new cool ring tone. • When students ask “will this be on the exam?” • It tells the professor  that you only care about your marks rather than actually learning the course material

18. Professor’s Pet Peeves continued… • Poor email etiquette • Don’t send emails to your professors with spelling and grammatical errors. Use spell check before clicking the send button. • Blowing off appointments • If you make an appointment with your professor, do not blow them off! Your professor is a very busy person

19. References Rockler-Gladen, N. (2006). How to annoy your professors. Retrieved from http://collegeuniversity.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_annoy_your_professor Stepcase Lifehack. (2009). Back to school: Talk to your professors. Retrieve from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/back-to-school-talk-to-your-professor.html