How to communicate with Professors, at Hostos College and beyond.

1. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH PROFESSORS
COMMUNICATING REMOTELY?

2. COMMUNICATING REMOTELY “CHALLENGES”
 Not able to “visit” the professor’s office in person
 Asynchronous learning/teaching
 Communicating remotely doesn’t mean lack of it

3. WHAT PROFESSORS ARE SAYING
 “The biggest problems I see are problems with boundaries between ‘friend’ communication and ‘professional’communication,” says Clark. “I don’t need
my students to refer to me as Sir or Dr. Clark, but to say ‘yo teach!’ as an introduction, which has happened, is not quite the best way to approach your
professors.”
 1.” Start with a friendly greeting using their formal title: "Dear Prof. X" or "Greetings Prof. X"
 2. Say something nice or constructive about the class: "Thank you for spending so much time on the videos for class. When I try to do the exercises on my
own, I am so confused. My dog is better at this than I am."
 3. Present a clear request (that also shows your motivation): "Do you have suggestions? I want to do well in this class because math is important for so
many aspects of life."
 4. End with something positive: "I hope you will get to enjoy this nice weather to get away from grading all the time! Thank you for your help."
 5. Break up your email into short paragraphs of two sentences each, because no one's attention is good in email.
 6. Sign off with your full name and course and section number, if early in the term.
 7. Be sure to fill in the Subject line with the point of your email.
 8. Change your font to Times New Roman 12 point font, or something easy on the eyes (remember professors have bad eyesight).
 9. Email a draft to yourself first, read it again, fix typos, and then send it.
 10. Keep sentences short, with clear subjects, verbs, and objects (I am interested in X. X confuses me because of Y). No need to write in long,
incomprehensible passages”.

4. WHAT PROFESSORS ARE SAYING, CONT.
 “The biggest problems I see are problems with boundaries between ‘friend’ communication and ‘professional’
communication,” says Clark. “I don’t need my students to refer to me as Sir or Dr. Clark, but to say ‘yo teach!’ as
an introduction, which has happened, is not quite the best way to approach your professors.”
 “I would just emphasize that I appreciate students' efforts to reach out by email or during office hours. Some students
have disclosed that they don't like to ask for help, but I always try to shift the narrative away from this idea that asking for
help is a sign of "weakness." Rather, asking for help or clarification shows engagement in one's studies and a
commitment to their academic progress. Often, students think they need to come to office hours with specific questions. I
want students to know they can visit office hours just to introduce themselves or talk generally about the course and their
progress.”

5. EMAIL ETIQUETTE
 Email is a convenient way to communicate with professors. However, there are certain etiquettes/protocols
that should be considered:
 Use your school email
 Always add a topic to discuss in the subject. Ex. Psy 120
 Use appropriate title (Dr. Oz or Prof. Oz)
 Always introduce yourself and the class you are taking with that professor. Many professors are teaching many
courses/sections

6. EMAIL ETIQUETTE CONT. SAMPLE EMAIL
 Sample Email to a College Professor
 To: gsmith@abcuniversity.edu
 From: shill@abcuniversity.edu
 Subject: Psychology 101 Questions
 Dear Professor Smith,
 I’m in your Psychology 101 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00. I have a few questions about classical
conditioning as I’m struggling to understand how it works. Are you available to make an appointment sometime
week? Unfortunately, I have another class during your office hours. Can you please let me know if you’re available
meet with me and if so, what days and times might work for you?
 Regards,
 Samantha Hill
 https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/communicating-with-professors/

7. WHY BUILDING GOOD RAPPORT PAYS OFF?
 Connecting with professors takes effort, but students can reap the benefits of a cordial relationship long after
the semester is over.
 One important benefit of maintaining a good relationship is getting a recommendation letter, which can
bolster students’ graduate school or job applications.
 If professors don’t know you, they won’t write that letter!
 Professors can help with networking or research opportunities
 When professors are familiar with a student—and know that the student is dedicated to classwork—they are
more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt. As a result, professors tend to be more understanding when
students they know need an extension on an assignment or extra credit to make up for a bad grade.
 https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/communicating-with-professors/