Single Mothers College

When you return to school, no matter how long you’ve been out, there are certain social norms and etiquette that will make your experience better and allow you to effectively navigate the school setting.

One of the biggest areas of conflict and problems for students is dealing with professors and instructors. The important thing to remember when interacting with your professors and instructors is that they have a job to do and their time is spread between many responsibilities. Another important thing to remember is that you are one of many students your professors interact with daily, so try to be understanding if you have to introduce yourself more than once.

Other phrases, requests, statements to avoid:

• I couldn’t come to class today, did I miss anything?
  Reason to avoid: Of course you missed something! That’s why your professors are there in class, to teach you things – you missing class means you missed learning something. This question is insulting to your instructor and will result in a cold “yes” if you’re lucky and a long, vitriolic diatribe if you’re not. Ask your peers and classmates if you’ve missed anything rather than your instructor.
• I need to miss class today due to: explosive diarrhea, projectile vomiting, stabbing cramps, or any other symptom that involves fluids leaving your body involuntarily.
  Reason to avoid: You may think your instructor will take your absence more seriously if you have a more serious condition – but in fact this is really just too much information for your instructor to know about you. Most people do not care you got a stomach bug from bad enchiladas, just say you’re sick and leave it alone. Don’t be disgusting and don’t gross your instructor out – it won’t help you in the long run – you don’t want to be the “Gross Student”.
• I have a migraine, allergies, or other condition reasonably remedied by taking medication.
  Reason to avoid: Your instructors are human beings, despite their attempts to act as if they are superhuman geniuses. If you’ve chosen not to come to class due to not taking medication that could make you feel better – do not share this with your instructor. They teach all the time with headaches, allergies, cancer, and mental health issues – they don’t care you ran out of Flonase, keep it simple: I’m sick and will miss class today.
• I’m stressed out and need the day off.

Reason to avoid: Just don’t ever say this, it’s both annoying and entitled.

• Why did I get a 98%? (or any other grade that is an “A”).
  Reason to avoid: If you received an “A” on an assignment or exam, take your grade and don’t argue it. Remember that a 100% score means you didn’t do a single thing wrong or need a single correction – did you really deserve that? Probably not – no one’s perfect, and considering you’re still a student, you most definitely aren’t perfect. Take your “A” and go away.

Next time… Other behaviors to avoid with instructors