Overview
This lecture covers the professional expectations for interacting with college professors, including email etiquette, office hours, letters of recommendation, and appropriate classroom behavior.
Email Etiquette with Professors
- Always start emails with a formal greeting like "Professor [Last Name]" or "Dr. [Last Name]" if they have a doctorate.
- Avoid informal greetings like "Hey" and never use initials to address professors.
- Mention your full name and which class and section you are in each time you email.
- Attach documents only as PDFs or Word files unless told otherwise; avoid links to cloud documents.
- Use default, plain fonts in emails (e.g., Arial or sans-serif); avoid decorative fonts or colors.
- Contact professors only through official channels (email or LMS), never by text or social media.
- Match the professor’s level of formality in ongoing email threads.
Office Hours
- Professors offer office hours for students to ask questions or discuss course material; use this resource.
- Prepare by doing readings or assignments beforehand and come with specific questions.
- List all your professors' office hours in your calendar to remember and take advantage when needed.
- Visiting office hours helps professors get to know you, which can be helpful for letters of recommendation.
Letters of Recommendation
- Faculty ranks include tenure-track (assistant, associate, full professor), non-tenure full-time (lecturer/instructor), and adjuncts; rank affects prestige of recommendation.
- Ask for recommendations from those who know you and preferably have higher academic ranks.
- When requesting a letter, provide the purpose, course history, and samples of your past coursework and the professor’s comments.
Appropriate Requests and Communication
- Professors generally are not available during evenings or weekends for meetings.
- If you must miss class, email in advance, specify the class, date, and reason, and reference the syllabus before asking questions.
Classroom Attire
- Dress in a casual but appropriate manner, similar to most students, and avoid overly revealing clothing.
- The college classroom is a semi-professional environment, so maintain respectful appearance and behavior.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Office Hours — Scheduled times when professors are available for student questions outside of class.
- Tenure-track — Faculty positions leading toward permanent job security (assistant, associate, full professor).
- Adjunct Faculty — Part-time instructors paid per course, with less institutional prestige.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Add all your professors’ office hours to your personal calendar.
- Review your course syllabi before emailing professors with administrative questions.
- Practice drafting a formal email to a professor including proper greeting, class identification, and clear questions.