### Successful Communication with Professors

College students are sometimes surprised to discover that instructors enjoy getting to know students. The human dimension of college really matters, and as a student, you are an important part of your instructor's world. Most instructors are happy to work with you during their office hours, talk a few minutes after class, respond to digital messages, or talk on the phone. These are some of the many methods of communication you and your instructors can use. Just as digital messaging has become a primary form of communication in business and society, it has a growing role in education and has become an important and valuable means of communicating with instructors. Most college students are familiar with digital messaging, such as email, texting, and messages via the online course learning management system. Using digital messaging respects other people's time, allowing them to answer at a time of their choosing. However, digital communication with instructors is a written form of communication that differs from communicating with friends. Students who text with friends often adopt shortcuts, such as not spelling out full words, excluding capitalization and punctuation, and not focusing on grammar or using full sentences. Such texts are usually very informal and are not an appropriate style for communicating with instructors. While some faculty will communicate with their students by text, you will primarily correspond with your instructors by email. Your instructors expect you to use a professional, respectful tone and fairly formal style when emailing:

- • a professional email name. If you have a nickname you use with friends, create a • a professional email name. If you have a nickname you use with friends, create a different account with a professional name to use with instructors, work supervisors, and others. 'BoatyMcBoatface' is not an appropriate, professional email name.
- • something in the subject line that specifically communicates the purpose/topic of • something in the subject line that specifically communicates the purpose/topic of your email: 'May I make an appointment?' says something; 'Help!' doesn't.
- • to your point quickly and concisely. • to your point quickly and concisely.
- • as you would in a paper for class, avoiding sarcasm, criticism, or negative • as you would in a paper for class, avoiding sarcasm, criticism, or negative language .
- • abbreviations, nonstandard spelling, slang, and emoticons like smiley faces. • abbreviations, nonstandard spelling, slang, and emoticons like smiley faces.
- • courteous, accommodating, and respectful. Avoid stating expectations like, 'I'll • courteous, accommodating, and respectful. Avoid stating expectations like, 'I'll expect to hear from you soon' or 'If I haven't heard by 4 p.m., I'll assume you'll accept my late paper.'
- • you reply to a message, leave the original message within yours . • you reply to a message, leave the original message within yours .
- • your message before sending it. • your message before sending it.
- • to send if you are upset. With any important message, it's a good idea to wait and • to send if you are upset. With any important message, it's a good idea to wait and review the message later before sending it. You may have expressed an emotion or thought that you will think better about later. Many problems have resulted when people send messages too quickly without thinking.
- • your message as a formal email (see next section.) • your message as a formal email (see next section.)

### Structuring a Formal Email

Formal emails are structured similarly to printed business letters. These emails should contain a salutation , body text , and signature .