ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM

Communication & Etiquette

Communication

Everything you do sends a certain message, verbal or non-verbal.

Sometimes the hardest thing about communicating is to feel comfortable starting.

Communication is one of the best things in life!

Communicating with your professors

Communication with you professor can and should be: Respectful Well-timed Enjoyable

Use office hours if: If you have questions about how you are doing –

especially if you are behind or know you are going to miss a class for a legitimate reason

If you don’t understand class material You genuinely want to know more about the topics!

Office Hours

Why going to office hours is a good idea:

One-on-one interaction can’t happen during class Lets your professor get to know you Shows that you care about the class and want to do

well The opportunity to make a personal connection! This

is someone you may want as a mentor, or could be someone who writes you a letter of recommendation in the future. Depending on your future goals, you could even become colleagues one day!

Some Friendly Advice

Do Don’t

Come prepared: what do you want to discuss?

Ask specific questions

Be on time

Be polite and respectful

Come during office hours or make an appointment

Shake his/her hand

Ask vague or broad questions

Ask questions you could figure out yourself

Be late

Show up 5 minutes before they have to leave

Act like somebody owes you something

Be rude or demanding

In-Class Communication

Everything you do is sending out some kind of message – including body language, such as:

Slumping in the seat, texting, using your lap top for Facebook (they can tell), not bringing a notebook, avoiding eye-contactPaying attention, taking notes, asking questions if you don’t understand

Professors participation

Etiquette You can speak your mind AND be polite at the same time

Participation

Some reasons why participating is a good idea:

Participation is often up to 15-20% of your final grade It puts a name to the face It creates a good impression

But… Don’t just talk for the sake of talking

Aim to add valued points to the discussion

Class Etiquette

No social media

No texting

No sleeping (DUH)

Don’t start packing your bags before your professor is done talking – this may not seem like a huge deal, but it is rude