Academic Success Program: Communication & Etiquette

1. Communication & Etiquette
ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM

2. 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!

3. 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!

4. 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!

5. Some Friendly Advice
Do Don’t
Come prepared: what do you want to Ask vague or broad questions
discuss?
 Ask questions you could figure out
Ask specific questions yourself
Be on time  Be late
Be polite and respectful Show up 5 minutes before they have to
leave
Come during office hours or make an
appointment  Act like somebody owes you
something
Shake his/her hand
 Be rude or demanding

6. 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-contact
Paying 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

7. 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

8. 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