When to Contact Your College Professor

You may feel like your college professor is unapproachable. Even saying hello in the hallway seems awkward. You’re not alone if you feel this way. Many college students view their professors as cold, unfeeling, and distant. The student-professor relationship can be tricky to navigate. As a result some students avoid even the possibility of conversation, even if it means refusing to get needed help.

Your professors do want you to succeed. But if you’re just sitting in silence hoping they sense your needs like a Jedi Master, you will be disappointed. Sadly, they don’t have mind-reading powers. Your professor probably will not initiate meeting with you, which means you will have to initiate contact.

So when should you contact your professor? If you’re facing any of these 6 situations, it’s time to reach out to your professor.

6 Signs You Should Contact Your Professor

1. You wish your grades were better.

This doesn’t mean you have a D in class (although please contact your professor if that’s the case). You could just be getting a B on a test and wanting to improve enough to get an A-.

Maybe you struggle with tests in particular. You never feel like you’re fully prepared. But you want to do better. Don’t suffer in silence! Your professor can help. But how can they help you if you don’t talk to them?

2. You don’t know why your grades are suffering.

Your grades are embarrassing. You don’t want anyone to know. But you have no idea why they’re so bad. You’ve talked to classmates. You’ve tried different studying techniques. Nothing seems to help your class grade.

Contact your professor! Meeting with your teacher face-to-face will help you share your specific struggles. Your professor can give you more insight into why your grades are low. This conversation will also help your professor know how to help you specifically in and out of class.

3. You don’t understand the requirements.

Your teacher has explained the class grade breakdown over and over again in class. You’ve read the syllabus for the 5th time. You’ve talked to your classmates, and still you don’t get what you’re supposed to do.

Talk to your professor. Teachers are imperfect (**gasp**). They are. Sometimes they fail to explain things well or fully. But sometimes you could be overthinking an assignment or misunderstanding the instructions. In either case, they won’t know something is off unless you respectfully ask them.

Side note: Don’t go to your professor about information already covered in class or on the syllabus without first trying to find the information for yourself. This will frustrate your professor. Big time. For example, don’t email your professor asking when a paper is due. Check the syllabus! If you can’t find the due date, ask a classmate. Then, and only then, ask your professor.

4. You’re struggling to complete the class work.

You’re working 15 hours a week, singing in a school choir, acting in a student play, taking 7 college courses and going home on the weekends to care for your grandparent. You can hardly stay awake. You wish you could cut down your work hours but you can’t afford to financially. Consider contacting your professor.

Your teachers get you’re busy. They do. College classes are intended to be demanding. So if you’re spending all of your weekends partying or watching Netflix, adjust your priorities. Wanting to do well and putting the work in to do well are two different things.

Show your teachers you’re trying to succeed in their classes. Respectfully contact them. Clearly explain your situation, ask questions and listen. They may be able to provide you with special assistance.

5. You really enjoy the class.

Yes, you read that correctly. Tell your professors you like their classes. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: your professors are people too! Who doesn’t want to hear a “good job” or “thank you”?

After putting in long hours to prepare for your course, your professors love hearing positive feedback. They need encouragement too. This may possibly encourage them to write a letter of recommendation for a future internship or job.

6. You want to discuss a particular topic more.

Your professors love discussing course content! They spend hours upon hours researching only to give a small sampling of their knowledge. If you like a particular topic, look into it more. You could simply google it, but you could also schedule a meeting to discuss the topic more.

Your professors are there to assist in you. They want you to learn and grow. But they can’t assist you if you don’t talk to them. Don’t refuse to get help. Initiate conversations with your professors!