What do you say to a professor at office hours?
5 questions to ask your professor during office hours
- “From your experience teaching, what qualities do successful students in your course possess?”
- “How would you describe your teaching style?”
- “How did you become interested in teaching this subject?”
- RELATED: How to approach (and talk to!) your professors.
- RELATED: 5 things you should never say to your professor.
How do you ask someone to meet your professor?
8. Use proper etiquette and grammar.
- Always start with a, “Hello/Dear Professor X.”
- Request — don’t demand — whatever you need (“I can’t make your Thursday office hours and was wondering if you’d be available to meet another time.”)
- Give options!
- Thank your professor at the end and sign off with your name.
- Proofread!
How do you email a professor asking for an appointment?
Your email should:
- have an informative subject line.
- be concise.
- be formal: Dear Dr. Smith; Sincerely, Your Name.
- not use Mrs. or Ms.
- NOT have slang, abbreviations, or emoticons.
- if applying for an opening: address any qualifications the professor is looking for.
- if asking for a research opportunity:
How do you ask for an appointment?
How to Ask for an Appointment Over the Phone
- Understand their level of interest. During your initial call with the prospect, communicate the purpose of the meeting you’d like to book with them.
- Communicate the value of the appointment. What does the prospect have to gain from meeting with you?
- Give them a choice.
How do you use office hours effectively?
During the appointment:
- Be respectful.
- Take notes.
- Ask for clarification.
- Be honest.
- Ask about supplemental readings or resources that may help.
- If you want to discuss an exam or paper grade you disagree with, use a respectful tone.
- Sum up your take-away or action plan at the end of meeting.
Do professors get paid for office hours?
Most US professors are not paid for piece-work. We get a salary that is paid out over the year in equal increments. We don’t get overtime and our teaching schedules, including office hours, are whatever we and our department chairs have determined them to be.
How do I ask my professor for syllabus early?
First, see if the professor has a website, as they may well post syllabi publicly. Then, I would be polite, explain that you want to get a head start on the reading, and ask if the online syllabus is a good starting point (if they have one online) and/or if they have a current or recent syllabus or book list.
How do I ask my professor to raise my grade?
Here’s my advice:
- Be strategic. Always be honest and fair when you approach teachers with questions and commentary about your grades.
- Go the extra mile. Let your teacher know that you’re serious about their class and its associated coursework.
- Ask for help.
- Be present.
- Play up your strengths.
How do I ask my professor to reschedule my exam?
Do not tell the professor that is when you will be taking the exam; rather, politely request a date that you know you can meet, still providing your best work. Conclude the note with a salutation such as “Sincerely” or “Thank you for your time.” Sign your full name, including the class section and time.
How do you greet a professor in an email?
Unless explicitly instructed to do so, never address your professor by their first name. Begin your email with a greeting addressing the professor politely, such as “Dear Professor Smith” or “Hi Dr. Jones”. After your message, end with a closing and signature, such as “Sincerely, YourName” or “Thanks, YourName”.
How do you ask for an appointment in an email?
How to request a meeting or an appointment via email? Format and outline:
- Introduction Start your email with introducing yourself if necessary especially if you are sending the request on behalf of your manager.
- State the reason for the meeting.
- Check for their availability.
- Propose a location for the meeting.
How do you start a formal email?
To start a formal email, write “Dear,” the recipient’s first name, and a comma on the first line. If you don’t know the name, use “Greetings” instead of “Dear.” Write “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Dr.,” or “Professor” and use the person’s last name instead of their first name to be extremely formal.