Learning to talk to professors could be the difference between a top grade and hating your classes. Communication is key if you don’t understand a concept, need help with an assignment, or have an emergency that keeps you from being in class. Building a positive relationship with your professors starts early in the semester and what you don’t say can be as important as what you do say. Take it from us; you really don’t want to say these things to your professor if you want to pass the class.
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“This can’t be right. In high school I got all A’s.”
You may have felt like a genius in high school because of your high grades, but that doesn’t mean college professors will feel the same way about you. Courses in college are different than those you took before, and some may be more difficult or require different skills than you’re used to. If you get a paper or a test back with a B, C, or worse, the professor probably didn’t make a mistake. Implying that they don’t know what they’re doing is going to make you look naive and is going to make them angry. If your grades aren’t as high as you expected, ask to speak to your professor one-on-one so you can find out how you can raise them in the future. Show a little humility, though. It’ll go a long way.
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“I need another extension.”
Some college professors won’t give you any leeway when it comes to deadlines, so if you have one that has been gracious enough to grant you extra time in the past, don’t take advantage of that kindness. You should really only ask for an extension if you have a valid reason. We’re talking illness, family emergency, and maybe a personal crisis. If you claim you’ve had several of these emergencies in one semester, your professor will stop feeling sorry for you and start questioning your honesty. Most teachers assign major papers toward the beginning of the semester, so use your time wisely and don’t ask for an extension if you waited until the last minute and it didn’t work out.
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“Want to come over to my place tonight?”
Sure, there’s something attractive about that distinguished professor who commands the classroom and can quote John Keats in casual conversation, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to let your feelings be known. As a student, asking your professor out is an absolute no-no. If you get a good grade in the class, you’ll wonder if it’s because of your relationship. If you get a bad grade, your feelings will probably be hurt. You lose either way. At schools where there is no rule against professors and students dating, you could technically ask a teacher out after the course is over and grades are in, but it’s still not a great idea. You won’t be able to take any more classes from that professor, and you may even get a reputation among other professors. Your peers will also look at you differently and you’ll never hear the end of naughty professor jokes. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
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“You’re not a good teacher.”
Just like every student has a different learning style, every professor has a different teaching style. And some of those styles are going to be boring. Some of them may not fit the way you learn best. Insulting and hurting the feelings of your professor isn’t going to fix the situation. If you’re having trouble understanding concepts, ask your professor, in a considerate and tactful way, for more explanation in a one-on-one setting. You can also mention how you learn best and ask for suggestions for how you should study. If you really can’t stand the teaching style, explore your options for changing classes.
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“Excuse me. That’s wrong!”
There may be a few rare moments in your college career in which you know enough about a subject to notice that your professor said something wrong during a lecture. More than likely, the professor just misspoke, but if you’re unsure about the information, don’t call out the mistake in front of the entire class. You’ll just look like a jerk. Let someone else be the schmuck that corrects the professor or speak privately with the professor about the mistake after class. If you already know what the correct information is, just let it go.
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“I’ve been talking to the department chair about you and …”
This is a lesson you should learn now: never, ever go over the head of your immediate supervisor/authority unless it’s a last resort. This applies both to your time in school and to when you enter the real world. Nobody likes a tattle-tale. If you have a problem, talk to your professor directly about it. Revealing that you’ve instead gone to the department chair to discuss a problem your professor may not have even been aware of shows a lack of respect and maturity. Only go to the department chair for seriously inappropriate behavior, not personal disagreements.
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“I’m going to sue!”
If you say this to a professor because you were given a bad grade, he or she will laugh in your face. Winning a legal suit for professor bias in grading or whatever case you’re making is not very likely, and win or lose, it’s going to cost you a lot of money. If you have a problem with a grade you received, ask to see your exams or papers, and then take it to the department or a dean if you still think you’re being treated unfairly. If your suit isn’t related to grades, consult a lawyer before serving the professor with a lawsuit.
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Any canned excuses.
No, we’re not talking about “My dog ate my homework.” College students’ excuses have evolved with time and technology, but that doesn’t mean that professors haven’t heard most of them a dozen times. Some common lies: “I left my paper on my printer”; “I emailed it to you. Didn’t you get it?”; “My grandma died.” Another trick that’s becoming more common is sending a corrupt file to your professor labeled as your paper. By the time the professor realizes it’s corrupt, you’ll have had time to finish your paper and can send it along later. But teachers are catching on, so don’t be surprised if you’re treated differently after you try to pull a fast one.
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