Pearl Drops: What NOT to say to your professor

...the 1st in a series of who knows how many...

STUDENT: “I wasn't here for the last class session. Did I miss anything important?”

WHAT YOUR PROFESSOR WANTS TO (and may) SAY: “No. I don’t cover important topics in class. I really don’t even know why we have class at all since nothing ever happens, let alone anything of importance.”

COMMENTARY: As professors (I'll go ahead and speak for all of us), we are generally offended by this question because it essentially insults what we do as a profession.  Professors think that everything they do in the classroom is important, or they wouldn't do it.  We understand that what you really mean is something like, “did I miss anything that will affect my grade.”  But, that isn't at all how your question is interpreted.

SOLUTION(S): Don’t miss class. If you must, ask a fellow peer to fill you in.  It really isn't your professor’s responsibility to get you up to speed.  If you feel you need to speak directly to the professor about your absence, try starting the conversation something like this, “I apologize for my absence ‘insert good reason here’. I know that I missed a lot. I was able to borrow the class notes from ‘insert name of peer’.  Do you have any other suggestions?”

You’re welcome,
PCD