CONCERNS ABOUT PROFESSORS/TEACHING ASSISTANTS
What concerns about professors and/or teaching assistants do you have?
New students, shy people, or those with anxiety may feel nervous about speaking with professors and/or Teaching Assistants, especially if the person has a question that they worry might sound “stupid.” Profs and TAs will have regular office hours to meet with students outside of class time; this is the time for you to ask your questions. And don’t worry, your profs and TAs are there to answer questions.
In the Diversities of Resilience Project, almost half (47.59%) of U Winnipeg's respondents and the majority (60.43%) from the full sample (MSVU, UOIT, & U Winnipeg) indicated that one or more professors contributed to their successful completion of courses or achievement of their educational goal.
Professors, instructors, and teaching assistants encourage students to reach out. Expectations for courses and assignments can always be explained by either the TA or the professor. E-mailing them with questions or booking office hour appointments to discuss expectations is a great way to handle this situation. Read your course syllabus first, as your question may be answered there. If not, send a carefully written e-mail (See sample email below) to ask for help.
Your course syllabus will have contact information for your professor or TA. If you cannot find this information, click the link below to find your school's directory where you can type in your professor's name to find their contact information: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/directory/
Sample Email:
Note: When writing emails language matters: DO NOT start emails with “hey” “yo” or no greeting at all. Professors or Teaching Assistants may not respond to such emails. Always begin emails with a greeting, such as “Dear”, “Hello”, “Hi”, “Good morning”, “Good evening”, or “Good afternoon” and ensure you use the individual’s proper title or name (For example, Dear Dr. Martin, Hello Karen, etc.). Always write in full sentences and check spelling. Refrain from using any profanity, slang terms, acronyms/text speak when writing (i.e. “my bad”, “r u going to be there today?” LOL, OMG etc.). Finally, sign off in emails. “Sincerely / All the best / Regards [your name].”
Good morning Dr. (you can also use professor) (insert name here),
My name is (insert your name here) (only use “my name is” if it is your first time corresponding with this professor/teaching assistant). I would like to schedule an appointment to (state reason if possible). As indicated in the syllabus, you are available for office hours an hour before and after class, but I am unable to attend office hours. Therefore, I would appreciate if we could please meet at an alternative time.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
(insert your name here)
New students, shy people, or those with anxiety may feel nervous about speaking with professors and/or Teaching Assistants, especially if the person has a question that they worry might sound “stupid.” Profs and TAs will have regular office hours to meet with students outside of class time; this is the time for you to ask your questions. And don’t worry, your profs and TAs are there to answer questions.
In the Diversities of Resilience Project, almost half (47.59%) of U Winnipeg's respondents and the majority (60.43%) from the full sample (MSVU, UOIT, & U Winnipeg) indicated that one or more professors contributed to their successful completion of courses or achievement of their educational goal.
Professors, instructors, and teaching assistants encourage students to reach out. Expectations for courses and assignments can always be explained by either the TA or the professor. E-mailing them with questions or booking office hour appointments to discuss expectations is a great way to handle this situation. Read your course syllabus first, as your question may be answered there. If not, send a carefully written e-mail (See sample email below) to ask for help.
Your course syllabus will have contact information for your professor or TA. If you cannot find this information, click the link below to find your school's directory where you can type in your professor's name to find their contact information: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/directory/
Sample Email:
Note: When writing emails language matters: DO NOT start emails with “hey” “yo” or no greeting at all. Professors or Teaching Assistants may not respond to such emails. Always begin emails with a greeting, such as “Dear”, “Hello”, “Hi”, “Good morning”, “Good evening”, or “Good afternoon” and ensure you use the individual’s proper title or name (For example, Dear Dr. Martin, Hello Karen, etc.). Always write in full sentences and check spelling. Refrain from using any profanity, slang terms, acronyms/text speak when writing (i.e. “my bad”, “r u going to be there today?” LOL, OMG etc.). Finally, sign off in emails. “Sincerely / All the best / Regards [your name].”
Good morning Dr. (you can also use professor) (insert name here),
My name is (insert your name here) (only use “my name is” if it is your first time corresponding with this professor/teaching assistant). I would like to schedule an appointment to (state reason if possible). As indicated in the syllabus, you are available for office hours an hour before and after class, but I am unable to attend office hours. Therefore, I would appreciate if we could please meet at an alternative time.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
(insert your name here)