Test 3听力原文

SECTION A MINI-LECTURE

Advice for Students: How to Talk to Professors

Good afternoon. Today I’d like to give you advice on how to talk to professors. A while back, I

recommended that students get to know their professors. I realize, though, that many students are

intimidated or put off by their professors. This is especially so when students need something—a

favor, special help with an assignment, or a second chance on a test.

It doesn’t need to be that way. There are, though, a few things that you should keep in mind when you talk to your professors,

especially if you’re going to ask for a particular favor:

A “Doctor” is

someone with a PhD; not all professors have a PhD. “Professor” is usually appropriate, unless

you’ve been told otherwise. I prefer to be called by my first name, and I make that point clearly on

the first day of class; if your professor hasn’t said anything about this, you’re better off not using

their first name. If you’re totally unsure, a “Mr.” or “Ms.” is usually fine. Do not use “Mrs.” unless

the professor herself uses it.

Secondly, no matter under what situations, tell the truth. After the first couple of semesters of

teaching, your average professor has much heard it all. It’s a sad fact, but true nonetheless, that we

grow jaded and take all students’ excuses with a grain of salt. If a professor thinks he or she is being

played, they’re not going to respond very well to whatever request you have to If you feel you absolutely must lie, at least make it a huge flaming

whopper of a lie, so the professor can get a good laugh when they share it at the next faculty

meeting.

Thirdly, be prepared to do the work. If you’ve missed an assignment or a test or are falling you’d better be prepared to do the work—and generally under more

difficult circumstances. I get the impression that a lot of students imagine I might just say “don’t

worry about it, I’ll give you the points anyway”, which, of course, is not going to happen.

tell your professor what you need or want and be done with it. Don’t spend 30 minutes explaining

your childhood and family arrangements and how hard it is getting a job with a few felony

convictions on your record and blah blah blah for a 10-point assignment. Simply say “Professor, I

missed an assignment, can I make it up? Can I do something else?”

Lastly, remember to pay social calls. Your professor is probably required by school policy to

be in his or her office and available to students for a set number of hours per week. On top of that,

most professors like talking to students—it’s part of the reason we took the job. Pay your professor

a visit or two, just to talk. Tell him or her about the work you’re interested in or about problems when you call up three years later asking for a reference letter.