Asking about class assignments or lectures is a good way for international students to kick off an office visit with a professor.
Having a smart discussion with a professor could set you apart from your classmates and open up other opportunities for you.
Not attending professors’ office hours might be one of the biggest mistakes international freshmen – and other international students – make.
But now that you know you need to go and are brave enough to knock on the door of your professor’s office, what comes next? The following questions offer international students some good ways to start a conversation with a professor.
1. "Can you clarify these details from your lecture?"
As an international freshman, you might sometimes feel a little behind in class, especially when your professor prefers a discussion style without PowerPoint slides to make the lecture more engaging.
Don’t be afraid to come up to your professor after the lecture to clarify some points. If you think that the conversation might need more time for you to fully understand the concepts, then ask them for an appointment or go to their office hours. Unlike in primary school, it’s the successful college students who use office hours.
2. "Do you have any tips to help me participate in class?"
Have you ever been in a class where you just want to hide in the chair and hope that your professor won’t call on you? It’s okay to admit it, because you’re not alone. Many international students are not comfortable speaking up and sharing opinions out loud in class, even though they may have lots of bright ideas.
Your professor might help you with that. I asked my communications professor for tips about how I could participate in class. Not only did she give me good advice, she even created many opportunities to encourage me to share my cross-cultural thoughts and experiences in class. The class discussions turned out to be even more thought-provoking as a result.
3. "What are you looking for in this assignment?"
Discussing the requirements of assignments with your professor could help you figure out more clearly what they are looking for. Instead of staying at home and trying to guess what your professor wants from the assignment’s requirements, email him or her your questions or ask for a one-on-one short appointment.
Asking for help does not mean that you are not capable of doing the work; rather it means that you care about your performance and take it seriously.
4. "Are there academic resources available for me?"
You might be surprised what your school could offer you to help cope with reading, writing and other academic needs. Maybe your professor could suggest a librarian if you have a hard time finding a book, some resources to start with your paper, classes you might want to take or other professors who you might want to talk to if you are interested in a certain research topic.
5. "What is your research about?"
Search for your professor’s name on the Internet and you might see their publications, portfolio or discover their research interests. Reading research articles helps you with vocabulary for your academic writing, but also helps you deepen your understanding of the field of study.
Read some of your professors' articles and come up with questions related to their work. A smart discussion with a professor could set you apart from your classmates and open up other opportunities for you.
There are many more questions that you could ask your professors. Don’t be terrified of knocking at their door. A good rule of thumb is to be prepared before you talk to them and show respect during the conversation. Don’t let a language barrier get in the way of your passion for learning. Source:/usnews.com/education/
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