Writing is an important skill. In most cases, especially academic and professional, it can determine how successful you can be. Most successful people are those who can write clearly and persuasively.

It is a skill you are never too old to learn.

As a student who has later gone on to become an instructor and a teacher, I am offering some advice on what you could do!

Some Appreciation, Compassion, Empathy

Remember that professors, teachers, and tutors have demanding and exhausting jobs. Besides taking sessions they have corrections, evaluations, preparing material, and a host of other things.

You might have a test coming up next week, but teachers juggle many classes and have a test coming up every week. So, they might want to focus on other things in their weekly breaks.

So, if you write a letter or ask for time to meet on Friday, or even a Saturday, it is common to not get a response till Tuesday. Most teachers and professors that I know (myself Included) do not look at work emails over weekends.

Appointments... Appointments...

There are many learners that seek appointments with teachers. So, if a teacher or a tutor has given you a time, be appreciative of the time and be on time. Changing and appointment at the last moment might be easy for you, but the professor may not be able to reschedule it because professors usually have a packed calendar.

1. Give a clear appointment time
2. Also present a possible alternate time
3. Make sure you are available at both timings

Context is King

Many teachers often manage different classes and receive and insane number of emails every day. When you write to them or talk to them, include a brief introduction of who you are, the course you are attending, and any other relevant information.

Also, keep it brief. Do not write a ten sentence introduction! 😕

Subject and Precision

Whether it is responses or emails. Come to the point immediately and clearly. You do not have to include unnecessary phrases of politeness or be overlong and verbose.

A short sentence or a word is always better than a longer more verbose sentence.

What if I do not get a response?

It is likely the tutor has missed your message. S/he might have read it and it must have slipped from attention. This is usually because of the number of requests and messages teachers receive everyday. Check if they have an assistant or a reception desk that maintains their calendar.

That is the easiest way to get in touch with them. They are accessible, and they are there explicitly for the purpose of handling the masses of messages tutors get!

Final Word

May questions that tutors, teachers, and professors get asked are really simple questions.  The answers to these are obvious or easily available from class notes, official webpages concerning the exam, or even from your classmates.

They may decide not to reply for this reason. Therefore, always do a bit of research before requesting a meeting or asking a question.