College Life
Hello everyone:
It is, quite obviously, very important to understand an assignment’s instructions. It is also, perhaps not intuitively obvious, that you learn how to talk with a professor.
This morning as I was looking over one of my online courses, there was a person who had misunderstood the instructions for turning in a rough draft. (Please note that he was the only person in a class of 25 people who did not “get it” with regard to the instructions and this was the fourth mandatory rough draft for an assignment this term . You would have thought he would have things figured out by now.)
He blamed me. He insulted me. He castigated me in a forum the entire class could see. It was not, it goes without saying, a good approach to solving his problem.
So how do you handle the situation if you made a mistake or simply did not understand? You should email the professor privately, and nicely ask for clarification. If you absolutely need to use a common forum, you should ask politely for clarification.
There is a nice way to do things. Sadly, he does not know what it is. Have you got an example of how to work with a professor? I would love to hear your experiences.
Best,
Dr. Sheri
Sheri Dean Parmelee
Sheri Dean Parmelee has a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Regent University. She writes books on practical tips for people who become unexpectedly unmarried and is working on her second novel in a series of contemporary romance/suspense novels. She teaches at three colleges, working with students from freshmen to graduate students. Her hobbies include running 8 miles a day and reading biographies and fiction.
Recommended Posts
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Hang in There!
12 Aug 2020 - College Life, Uncategorized
Hello professor!
I recently had trouble with an assignment that took me almost half the day to start off on the right foot! I had a lot of hang ups on the assignment and then I became slightly frustrated. I emailed my professor and he gave me an option to call him for better understanding. And that alone cleared the air for everything regarding that one assignment. Not only am I grateful for that option but, knowing from the first day of class that your professor has options for students to reach out is a very positive and amazing feeling!
And also my apologies for that happening to you during the semester.
Shervon, thanks for sharing your experience with us! I’m glad that you had a professor who was willing to chat with you and work things out! Congrats on being able to complete the assignment without further distress. Thanks so much for commenting!
Best,
Dr. Sheri