While some of us are afraid to annoy and irritate the teacher or lecturer, others… let’s just say that they have too much self-confidence and courage. Contacting a teacher or lecturer is seen as an unusual thing, where a lot of confusion and hesitation arises while attempting to do it.
The confusion and hesitation often raise questions, such as:
"Is this the right time?"
"Is he busy right now?"
"How do I get started?"
"Are the sentences that I use seems polite enough?"
"I'm confused about this one part, but is he free to explain this to me?"
As a result, you just create a fear of doing something wrong, to the end where you got nothing done. There are also those who do not feel confused nor hesitate but become too confident, that sometimes many mistakes occur during contacting the teacher or lecturer. This creates a bad image from the teacher or lecturer towards the students. often seen as a disrespectful behavior, in terms of communication.
So, how we should feel, act, and behave?
Maybe some of you might start it with "This is part of their job" and feels like you have
the right, to the point where you forget that "Teachers and Lecturers are human too". There are several points where this needs to be straightened out between the student and the teacher or lecturer. Students do have their rights, at the same time teachers also have obligations that need to be fulfilled, and the right to be humanized.
You are human, they are also human.
Use your common sense. You eat, sleep, and have the need to socialize with other people. Teachers and lecturers are not your personal servant. They also have their own life, so do you. Sometimes, before making an attempt, you need to ask yourself…
“Would it be annoying to get contacted regarding tasks or assignments on Sunday afternoon?”
Teachers and lecturers might be on the same page on the answer.
They are aware of their responsibility, but please remind them.
As you are not the only students they have at the time, you also need to take a role to remind your teachers or lectures regarding the progress of your school matter. Talking to you and assisting you is part of their responsibility. Your teachers and lecturers should and probably already realize that. Same as you, who try to juggle between multiple subjects, tasks, or work, teachers, and lecturers also need to juggle between study and students. Remind them and be patient.
Do not be too quick to judge and generalize all teachers and lecturers.
You might see a cool teacher or lecturer, and it seems so easy to get along and communicate well with that kind of teacher and lecturer. Well… other teachers or lecturers might not be cool with it. Do not put a single stereotype for all teachers or lecturers. Stay respectful.
Know their communication preferences and keep that in mind.
Office or Working hours are always the safe bet in terms of timing. Most teachers or lecturers also inform it at the beginning of the year about how to reach them out. Stick to the given option. Mostly they use contact information from the institution. Some of them even create a separate email address. It is no secret that they also have their personal life as well, so contacting them to their personal contact information, will not be seen as a polite gesture. Teachers or lecturers might give you their personal contact information and give you permission to contact them there, but do not give it out to other students. Other students should ask for it themselves since you have no right to share it.
They are not a mind reader and do not suffer in silence.
Same as working in a team or having a partner to work with, communication is the key. Most teachers and lecturers will give statement or options base on themselves, and most students will give a direct agreement. As a student, we should realize that we have option in expressing something such as disagreement. As simple as setting schedule. Students also have the rights to negotiate, while teachers and lectures have the obligation to accommodate and discuss further what’s best for both sides. Students also need to be talk openly about other struggle occurring in school or anything related with school matter. This way, teachers and lectures could see a bigger picture & positions themselves for you, better.
Do not be a “Toady”.
Communicate to improve your performance, not communicate to seeking for advantages. Secretly teachers and lectures know instantly when you are toadying them ;)
teachers and lecturers are there to help you succeed and guide you through whatever you are working on. Remember that they are trying to help lots of people learn challenging content, so make it as easy as possible for them to understand what you are looking for, and value their time. By keeping these ideas in mind, you will be able to communicate effectively and get the most out of your education.
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