Three Steps to Planning a Meeting with Your Professor Presented by / Dr. Anna Plemons WSU Critical Literacies Achievement and Success Program Washington State University

Welcome to WSU!

Developing a question or topic for your meeting Today we are going to talk about: Setting up the Meeting Developing a question or topic for your meeting

Why would you and/or why would you not want to attend office hours?

Did you know faculty are required to have office hours? They are, and most faculty really appreciate it when students use that time to ask questions about the course or their research.

How do you know when/where office hours are held?

What are the components of a “winning” email?

A winning email includes: My name Your name The name and section of the class you are in (faculty typically teach between two to four classes) An acknowledgment of when I have office hours A specific request

hey professor did we do anything important in class This is the email you DO NOT want to send: hey professor did we do anything important in class

no i put on my pants and came to campus for nothing I have never sent this response but I ALWAYS want to: no i put on my pants and came to campus for nothing

I missed class today because I was sick. Can you help me? Thanks. This one is a little better, but not awesome: Ms. Lemons, I missed class today because I was sick. Can you help me? Thanks. --Student

this email sent from cartmanrulez99@yahoo.com Hey, i am in your class this semester but have missed the first 4 days do to some unexpected problems with work and family. ;) I would like 2 make up the work if u can send me the syllabus and all the handouts thank you. and also if i missed any important info. Will we b needing the book this semester because I am on a budget. LOL! thx! this email sent from cartmanrulez99@yahoo.com

This one is just right: Professor Plemons, I missed class today because I am sick.  Can I set a time to come meet with you to go over what I missed?  I am not available during your office hours because I work on Mondays and Wednesday.  Do you have any available times this Thursday? Thank you, Kira Jones ENGL 101, section 15

Developing a Question for Your Meeting There are lots of things you can ask questions about. Asking questions does not suggest that you are unprepared or need help. We ask questions to: Get clarification Deepen our knowledge Build relationships

Developing a Question for Your Meeting Possible Questions/Topics: The syllabus Upcoming assignments The course topic Academic advice WSU in general Internship opportunities Their research interests Pullman You get the idea ;)

Ask a question that demonstrates critical thinking: Connect course material to your own experiences Connect course material to other courses/scholars/ideas Identify underlying assumptions Evaluate the quality of evidence Consider context Anticipate conclusions, implications, consequences adapted from the WSU Critical Thinking Rubric

Come up with 2-3 questions you might want to ask your professor. Let’s Practice Come up with 2-3 questions you might want to ask your professor.

Meeting Do’s Do show up Do be on time Do introduce yourself Do bring something to write on and take notes Do come prepared with a question or topic