10 Things College Professors Want You To Know, Including How To Impress Them (And How To Annoy Them)

Take it from me.

Alright, you’re in college now — and your high school teachers have been telling you for four years how terrifying and unrelenting college professors are.

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Their favorite go-to line? "I’ll accept it, but this won’t fly in college.”

Here's the plot twist, though. Most professors I know are pretty relaxed, understanding people. That being said, our job is a little different than your high school teacher’s — and we’re under no obligation to flag you down about missing assignments. We're also definitely not contacting your parents when you don’t show up to class.

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I’m entering my ninth year of teaching and my sixth in higher education — and every time I think I’ve seen it all, I see something new. I’ve had students who will definitely go on to change the world, and I’ve had students I’ve hardly met ask me when the final is (I’m sorry, who are you??).

If you want to stand out, here are a few tips and tricks. And know that these are on top of the usual givens: participate, do your work, and show up to class no matter who tells you it’s not important. If you want to elevate yourself from basic functioning student to someone who stands out, you actually do need to stand out a bit!

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It’s not about being a “teacher’s pet," either. Professors are the people who are going to be writing you letters of recommendation in a few years, and you want to be known by some of them.

However, it's worth noting that you are not going to like every professor you have. You’re not going to click with everyone’s personality, teaching style, etc. That’s normal, and it’s a good lesson in adaptability. These steps aren’t going to magically make classes easier, but they will help foster positive communication. That said, let's get into it!

1. It sounds obvious — but know how to write a good email. I cannot stress this enough.

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I constantly get emails from students that give me zero information. Sometimes I’ll get an email that says, “I don’t know what to do in the assignment.” Here’s the issue: I don’t know who you are at the start of the semester and professors in lecture halls will know you almost never — unless you make yourself stand out. Want to write a good email? Start here:   

1. Address your professor correctly. If they have a doctorate, it’s Dr. and their last name, unless they have indicated another preference. If the professor has a different degree, it's Professor, unless they’ve said otherwise. Also, do your research. In online classes, I include pictures and plenty of information about myself, and being called “Sir” is both confusing and annoying.     

2. Prove you’ve done some work with the problem. Don’t know what the reading assignment is? Check the syllabus. Don’t know the format? Review the notes. Still nothing? Let the professor know how you tried to solve the problem. 

3. Proofread.

Need help? Use this:

Hi Professor X,

I am (Your Name) from your (day, time, and title of class). I am having trouble finding the due date for (assignment). I have checked the syllabus, checked my notes from class, and (if possible) checked with a classmate and am still unsure. If you could confirm the due date, I would appreciate it. Have a great evening.

(Whichever greeting you prefer),

Your Name 

2. And on that note, get yourself a professional-sounding email address.

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When I started as a college student way too long ago, we didn’t use email that much to communicate, so I had the most dated email address ever from when I first got an account in sixth grade. My journalism professor graded an assignment where we had to include an email and just wrote, “Fix this.” Message received! 

But it’s actually true — especially if your email address is inappropriate. Do what you want on your free time, but if your email is inappropriate, either use the one provided by the school or get yourself something professional that includes both your first and last name. True story: When I was a teaching assistant years ago, a student had a sexually inappropriate email address he was quite proud of. Did it make him stick out? Sure. But it also made me ask for someone else to be in the room every time he was around. 

3. Expect a reasonable turnaround time.

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I have gotten four panicked emails back-to-back each with one sentence at 11:30 p.m. on a Saturday and then a snippy email Sunday morning about not responding. Remember that this is your professor’s job — and they deserve a life outside of your emergency. Personally, I check my emails on the weekends, but it’s unreasonable to ask everyone to do that. There is rarely a problem so big that it can’t wait until Monday.

4. Do not ask for their phone number.

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I get it. A quick text would be easier. I have gotten messages from students legitimately demanding that I call them. Nope. Absolutely not. You can call an office phone if the faculty member has one (many adjunct or part-time professors do not have an office), but this is a slippery slope for many professors. 

I like to protect my privacy and my down time and don’t give out personal information, but WILL set up Zoom meetings in my off-hours if students need it. If you do have a professor that gives out their phone number, great! But keep questions to normal hours. You may be up at 3 a.m., but your professor will be less than thrilled with your call. 

5. Don’t call them when you’re drunk.

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You would THINK that I wouldn’t need to say this, but here we are. It’s not funny, it’s not going to impress anyone, and teachers DO talk to each other. While it’ll definitely get you noticed, is that really how you’re hoping to do that?

6. Check. Your. Syllabus.

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If I can stress ANYTHING, check your syllabus. For the love of all that is good in this world: check your syllabus. Many professors will give you a play-by-play of the semester. Don’t know the reading? Dust off that old syllabus. Not sure what you missed while you were hung over? Check the syllabus. Do I HAVE to turn it in? Check the syllabus. Can I turn something in late? You guessed it! Check the syllabus. 

7. Remember that we are paid to answer your questions, so speak up when you need help.

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The biggest fear I hear from students is feeling like an imposition to their professors. I think this comes from how often in high school college professors are made out to be unfeeling, heartless, unrelenting grumps. Are those people out there? Absolutely. Are they the vast majority? Not even close. I can say with honesty that every person in my department is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator that is committed to the success of their students. 

PLEASE ask questions. We want you to succeed, but we’re also not going to run after you. Talk to us! Send the (good) email. (See #1!) Stay after class. And remember: It is literally our JOB to answer your questions, even over email. It’s in our job description. You’re not a bother. If you have a professor that makes you feel that way, ask anyway. 

8. Talk to us – especially if you know there is going to be a problem ahead of time.

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College is complicated. Many of my students have full-time jobs, kids, commitments, etc. College professors often understand this — especially at a Community College level. If you know something is going on that is going to prevent your work from getting in on time, talk to us sooner rather than later.

 Many professors are willing to work on deadlines, but if you’re coming to us two weeks after the assignment is due the answer is often “no.” I’m also less likely to offer grace for things like ill-timed cruises and parties, so use this type of communication wisely and sparingly. 

9. And if you're comfortable, talk to us about other things as well.

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I can’t speak for everyone, but I love getting to know my students! We’re actual, real-life people. Want to stand out and impress your professor? Don’t be a quiet student that slips in and out unnoticed. Even if you’re an introvert or have anxiety that prevents you from participating as much as you’d like, take some time to come say hi to professors you’re comfortable with.

I also have had students with anxiety approach me by email or in person and tell me they have trouble participating in group discussions, and I always appreciate the heads-up and accommodate as best as I can. 

10. Forget who you were in high school.

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If you take nothing else from this list, please remember this one. College is the best fresh start the world will give you. You are entering a world where there is no Prom Queen, there is no “outcasts area,” and you can fairly easily avoid the people who made high school terrible — even in a small town. The pressure that comes with being popular can go, the isolation of being different matters less.

Often, I see students come in with a lot of baggage from the social torture or expectation of high school, but college is your chance to figure out who you are away from the people you spent the last 4 to 13 years with. By not allowing that pressure to fuel you, you’re going to be able to stick out and find the confidence to be you – and we love to see that! I get to see my students develop confidence in themselves and their abilities when they’re really trying, and I will always be rooting for them. 

There you have it! Welcome to the world of higher education. Whether you are living at home, have moved across the country, or are navigating a massive university or a local community college, make good choices, drink water, and CHECK YOUR SYLLABUS.