For many students, communicating with professors can seem intimidating. If you are struggling with how the course is taught, are having difficulty understanding the course material, or are concerned with your grades, your professor is the first person you should talk to. First and foremost, remember that your professors want you to be successful! The vast majority of professors choose teaching because they want to develop positive relationships with students. They want you to engage with them! Developing relationships with your professors will not only help you in the classroom, but can also be an important source of networking opportunities and career advice.

If you are still nervous about talking to your professor, here are some tips:

If you are unsure how to address your professor or how to pronounce your professor's name, you can always just call them 'Professor.' Using this title is a safe default option, but don't be afraid to ask your instructors about how they would prefer to be addressed.
Use their office hours. If the professor's office hours don't work for your schedule, send them an email to request scheduling an alternative time to meet. Most professors are happy when you take the initiative to reach out to them.
Be considerate of your professor's time. If you scheduled an appointment, make sure to go! If you have a good reason for missing the appointment, make sure to let your professor know as soon as possible that you cannot meet as planned.
Prepare before you meet with your professor. Write down the questions you want to ask. If you need help with the course material, review the readings and lectures. Your professor can easily tell if you have put in effort to learn the material, even if you are struggling to understand it.
Be respectful. It is okay to disagree with your professor, but do so respectfully. Make sure you are trying to understand their point of view while you are stating your concerns. Be ready to accept constructive criticism.
Voice your concerns in a face to face meeting rather than an email. If you are dissatisfied with your professor's teaching methods or your grades, scheduling a virtual or in-person appointment is best. Since important cues like facial expressions and tone of voice are missing, there is a greater chance of misunderstanding while talking about sensitive topics over email.

Make sure to also check out our tips for communicating with professors over email.