Have you ever wished you could get more out of your classes? If you feel like you’re just showing up, taking notes, and not understanding the material, you’re not alone.
But the good news is that there’s a solution! Asking questions in class can help you clarify confusing concepts, catch up on what you missed, and get to know your professors better.
31 Questions to ask your professor:
- What is this class about?
- What topics will we cover?
- What are your expectations for attendance and participation?
- Beyond the required reading, can you recommend books or sources that will help me work through the material?
- How will my performance in this class be evaluated?
- What are some common mistakes students make in this class, and how can I avoid them?
- What study tips have helped other students in this class?
- Is there a particular concept or topic that students often have difficulty with? Can you elaborate on that?
- Can you give me an example of a good project or paper you have seen in this class?
- When it comes to grading, what do you value most: quality or quantity?
- If I’m struggling with the material, what resources can I use for help? (Office hours, tutoring, etc.)
- Is there anything I can do to be a more valuable member of the class discussion?
- Do you have any advice on how I can take good notes in your lectures?
- What should I do if I miss a class?
- Is there anything I can do to avoid falling behind?
- How much weight do exams/papers/projects carry in the overall grade for this class?
- What are common mistakes people make on exams/papers/projects?
- Can you describe your process for writing exams/papers/projects?
- What resources should I use if I want to get better (at writing papers/giving presentations/etc.)?
- How much leeway do we have when it comes to interpretation of the assignments/topics covered in a class?
- What should we do if we feel like we disagree with something we have read in class/seen in lectures?
- Are there industry events, conferences, or field trips related to this course that we could attend?
- Who are the guest speakers that have come to talk about this topic that we could approach?
- Are there career paths related to this topic that we should look into?
- Is there anything else related to this topic or course that we should know?
- How often will we be taking exams/quizzes?
- Will there be opportunities for extra credit? If so, what are they and how much can they affect my grade?
- What should I do if I’m struggling in this class?
- What are your office hours?
- What is the best way to reach you?
- What is your policy on missed assignments or make-up work?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you interact with professors?
Interacting with professors can be a difficult task, but it is important in order to get the most out of your education. It is important to be respectful and courteous when interacting with professors. You should attend all classes and be on time. You should also complete all assignments on time and turn in high-quality work. If you have questions, be sure to ask them during class or office hours. The professors are a great help and they want you to succeed.
How can you ask your professor for a better grade?
There are several ways to ask your professor for a better grade. You can email them, talk to them during office hours, or go to their office and talk to them in person. Whichever way you choose, make sure you have a good reason why you want a better grade. Do not just say that you did not do well on the test or that the grade is unfair. Come up with a plan to improve your grade and show your professor that you are making a serious effort to do better.
Conclusion
Questions can be helpful in many ways – they can help clarify expectations, demonstrate interest and engagement in the course material, build rapport with the professor, and more! So do not be afraid to speak up and ask questions!
Your future self will be glad you did when the midterm season rolls around and everything goes smoothly because you’ll know exactly what to expect from the class thanks to the good conversation you had with your professor during the enrollment and feedback period.
