Things you Should NEVER Say to your Professor

By: Emily Larrabee

When you are speaking to your professors for the first time, you want to leave a positive impression. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Professors can have a huge impact on your future if you ever need a letter of recommendation or even just help in the class. I have to admit, my friends consider me the “goody two-shoes” of the group. I always try to get the professor to view me in a positive light than rather a negative one. So, when I hear some of the things students say to professors, my mouth drops. Here are some things you should NEVER say to your professor:

1. “Hm? I wasn’t paying attention”

In high school, I mistakingly said these exact works to one of my teachers. Needless to say, he was not happy. This response shows that what the professor is saying is obviously not that important to you. We do occasionally zone out, but there is a better way to respond than saying “I wasn’t paying attention”. You could say “I’m sorry, I did not hear you. Could you repeat the question?” It is a better way of showing respect to your professor. 

2.   “I had so much homework for my other classes that I didn’t do the assignment”

Professors hate hearing this, especially when it is through an email at 11 o’clock at night. The professor will feel that their class is not as important to you as your other classes. Being able to manage your time is essential when finishing school work. Of course, there will be emergencies where the professor will not mind giving you an extension on your homework, just make sure you do not get behind. 

3. “What topics will we need to know for the test?”

Though we all want to study hard and get A’s in our classes, professors want you to understand ALL the subjects they teach and how it all connects. I know, it is overwhelming, but asking this question leads the professor to believe that you are only taking this class to get an A and move on. Helping students retain information is the number one goal for professors. 

In the end, we just need to realize that there are just some things you should NEVER say to your professor, no matter how comfortable you are with them. Think before you speak! 

Oh, and one last thing, never ever never call your professor “bro”. I witnessed someone call a professor "bro" last week. Needless to say, it did not end well, at all. 

For more information on things you should never say to you professors, check out Francesca Manto at http://blog.chegg.com/2014/09/24/the-worst-things-you-can-say-to-your-professor/