| College professors are there to guide you and teach | | | | with you. This will keep you focused and on track |
| you throughout your course of study. This is true | | | | and won't allow you to forget anything. If you are |
| whether you are involved in an undergraduate or | | | | efficient you should be able to accomplish everything |
| graduate program. If you are having problems with a | | | | in one meeting, rather than having to keep coming |
| particular class, one of the first places that you | | | | back with further questions. |
| should seek help is from your professor. In this article | | | | Supporting Materials |
| you will find advice on how you can go about | | | | Bring anything with you that is class-related and/or |
| approaching your professor for help. It will also detail | | | | related to your questions or concerns. If you need to |
| out what you should do when you actually meet with | | | | refer to a textbook, mark the pages so that you |
| him or her. | | | | can turn to them quickly. |
| How to Approach Your Professor | | | | Come Prepared |
| Contact | | | | Bring something to write with and write on to the |
| Most professors can be contacted in a couple of | | | | meeting with you. Your professors may provide you |
| different ways. Professors tend to have office hours | | | | with the information that you need and you will want |
| set up at least once or twice a week. This is a time | | | | to write it down, so you don't forget. Also you may |
| for students to come by and speak with them if | | | | want to refer back to these notes as a record of |
| they need help, guidance, or assistance. You can | | | | your meeting. |
| usually find this information on the course syllabus. If | | | | At the Meeting |
| you cannot make it to your professor's office hours | | | | Be On Time |
| or you miss their office hours you can also check the | | | | Show up for you meeting with your professor a few |
| syllabus for alternative methods of contact, such as | | | | minutes ahead of the scheduled time. You may have |
| a phone number or email address. | | | | to wait for a few minutes but it is better that you |
| Prepare for Your Meeting | | | | have to wait than to keep your professor waiting. If |
| Once you have scheduled a meeting with your | | | | you need to cancel or reschedule your meeting, be |
| professor, prepare for your meeting ahead of time. | | | | sure you call your professor and give them advance |
| Be prepared, so that you can get straight to the | | | | notice. |
| point when you arrive and get all of your questions | | | | Be Respectful |
| answered before you leave. Especially if you are | | | | Address your professor by his or her title and last |
| meeting with your professor during office hours | | | | name. Tell him or her your reason for requesting the |
| there will be a short timeframe for you to get help | | | | meeting and ask him/her for help, advice, etc. Listen |
| because other students will be waiting to see him or | | | | very politely to everything that your professor has |
| her. Also professors are very busy teaching classes, | | | | to say. Don't interrupt or get argumentative. |
| conducting research, etc., so their office hours do not | | | | Express Gratitude |
| tend to be that long. | | | | Be sure to thank your professor for their time when |
| Questions | | | | your meeting is over. If you need to schedule |
| Prepare a list of questions to take to your meeting | | | | another appointment then try to do so at this time. |