How to Address a Professor

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

In many formal situations such as education, business dealings, and other professional world situations, you’ll be required to address someone with a formal title. It’s really important to make sure that you use the appropriate format and style of language when talking or writing to a professor to demonstrate a sense of mutual respect and formality.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Addressing a Professor Through Writing

PDF download Download Article
  1. Whoever you are writing to most likely holds this title due to a position in an academic setting. This means that you must address them formally as “professor.”
    • If the professor has a doctorate, you may refer to them as "Dr. Smith" or whatever their last name is. If they do not have a doctorate, simply saying "Hello professor" is fine.
    • Avoid using first names or other names until you've been told by the professor that it's OK to use those names.
    • If you're addressing multiple professors in an email, mention all of their names at the start of the email unless there are more than 3 people.
  2. Every interaction that you have with a professor should be treated as a professional one. To be treated as a mature, respectful adult, you must act like one. This means that using colloquialisms, slang, or other informal vernacular is not appropriate.
    • Instead of saying, "hi professor, can i plz be in ur research lab for bio?" say something like, "Hi professor, I am wondering if there is any room in your Biology 101 lab?"
    • Once you have established a relationship with a professor, there might be room for branching out in this area, but always start with formal language.
    Advertisement
  3. Professors are typically exceptionally busy people so keeping your writing concise and to the point is of the utmost importance. Avoid using superfluous language or over-explaining yourself. [1]
    • Getting straight to your message after saying "Hello professor" is a good option.
    • Try and save the casual chit-chat for in-person conversations where a more informal demeanor may be appropriate.
  4. You are looking to be treated as a social and intellectual peer by this person. Because of this, making sure your writing is free from typos or grammatical errors is really important.
    • Reading your message out loud may help you pinpoint any errors you have made if this is an area you struggle with.
    • Feel free to get a friend to proofread your message as a second pair of eyes is often really useful for finding errors.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Talking to a Professor in Person

PDF download Download Article
  1. When conversing with a professor it’s important to call them by their formal title. It’s always safe, if it’s an academic setting, to simply call them “professor.” First names and nicknames should always be avoided.
    • Many professors prefer their students call them by their first name or some other name but unless this has been established prior, avoid this.
    • If the professor has a doctorate degree, it's also acceptable to call them "doctor" followed by their last name. [2]
  2. It’s always a good thing to have a positive relationship with your professor, or any professor for that matter. As such, introduce yourself on the first day of class or during your first interaction. [3]
    • An example of a good introduction may be: "Hello professor Smith, my name is Joe and I'm hoping to talk to you about your biology class."
    • Doing this can mean that when you need your professor’s help or assistance on something down the line, you have a prior relationship established.
  3. As professors are perpetually busy, it’s a nice gesture to just check that they have the time to talk to you rather than just assuming they do and beginning to talk.
    • Alternatively, signing up for a time with them via email or some other method is a good idea. [4]
  4. If you have a question, try and be direct and concise. As you’re talking in person, it’s OK to have a brief introductory bit of conversation. After this, however, try and convey what you’re asking of them nice and succinctly. [5]
  5. Most professors are required by their school to open their doors up to students on a walk-in basis a few times per week. However, these times are rarely utilized by students, so the professor may be free to chat during their office hours. [6]
    • These times provide great opportunities to get to know your professor on a slightly more personal level.
    • Take the opportunity to let them know what interests you about their class, what possible research you have in mind for the future, or even a little bit about their past and their interests.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Before you go and talk to your professor, check other sources such as your friends, or the syllabus, for your information. This is important as it can be really frustrating for professors to have to respond to questions about a homework assignment you missed or what time their office hours are. [7]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      12 Ways to Bug Your Teacher
      How to
      Fire a Teacher
      How to
      Write a Letter to Your Child's Teacher
      How to
      Write a Complaint Letter to Your Principal
      How to
      Deal With a Mean Teacher
      How to
      Write an Apology Letter to a Teacher
      How to
      Survive Through School with a Horrible Teacher
      How to
      Not Cry when a Teacher Shouts at You
      How to
      Deal With Teachers That Take Your Personal Items Away
      How to
      Apologize to a Teacher
      How to
      Get a Teacher to Raise Your Grade
      How to
      Deal With Annoying Teachers
      How to
      Make Your Teacher Like You
      How to
      Deal With a Teacher You Dislike
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about being polite, check out our in-depth interview with Tami Claytor .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/advice-for-students-how-to-talk-to-professors.html
      2. ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2011/06/03/doctor-professor-or-hey-you
      3. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/high-school/how-interact-college-professors
      4. ↑ https://www.noodle.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-a-professor-explained-by-a-professor
      5. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/advice-for-students-how-to-talk-to-professors.html
      6. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/high-school/how-interact-college-professors
      7. ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/04/16/advice-students-so-they-dont-sound-silly-emails-essay

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 31,425 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement