When you have a question in class, you raise your hand to ask the instructor, right? Correct. Now, what if the question is about something a little more personal, like a paper grade that you aren’t happy with? While there is no definitive right answer for this question, the ideal answer to this question is to privately speak with the instructor about the situation. This can be done before or after class, during the instructor’s office hours, or during a scheduled appointment. Since most students will need to speak with an instructor at least once during their college experience, this blog post will offer tips for contacting and speaking with instructors. Note: The following tips below are meant to be general guidelines. Whenever you decide to speak with an instructor about an important matter, you should consider any specific preferences that he or she has discussed or outlined in the syllabus regarding how they should be contacted. Speak with the Instructor Before or After Class: The easiest, and most convenient, way to speak with an instructor is to approach him or her before or after class. In this type of situation, other students will most likely be present; therefore, if the subject doesn’t warrant a completely private meeting, then this setting would suffice. If you choose to approach the instructor before class, arrive at least fifteen minutes before the start time, otherwise you don’t want to risk cutting into class time. Also, if you choose to approach the instructor after class, you might want to wait a few moments while other students with less important questions (i.e., questions about the homework) can speak with the instructor before leaving the room. Stop by the Instructor’s Office Hours: Most instructors are required to designate a certain number of “office hours” each week in which they work in their offices and are able to meet with students. Instructor office hours are usually listed on course syllabi, and they might also be found on course websites. If your schedule aligns with your instructor’s office hours, then it would be helpful to stop by during this period to speak with the instructor about your issue. It’s important to plan ahead by writing down all questions so that you make the most of your time. Since you have the full attention of the instructor, it might be helpful to ask about other issues you are concerned about in the class. E-mail the Instructor to Schedule a Meeting: This might seem a little obvious, but it’s important to remember that, as a student, you have the right to speak with your instructor and make the most out of your education. If you aren’t able to speak with your instructor before or after class, or if your schedule doesn’t allow you to stop by the instructor’s office during the set office hour times, then you can schedule an appointment to meet via e-mail. If you do choose to send an e-mail to schedule an appointment, then you should include in the message a brief description of the purpose of the meeting so that the instructor has time to prepare. (Or, in best case scenario, you might even receive a sufficient response to your question electronically.) Got to the Department’s Main Office: If you are unable to speak with your instructor before or after class, and he or she isn’t available during office hours, or via e-mail, you should stop by the department’s main office to speak with the secretary. You might learn that the instructor has left the school due to an emergency, or you might learn that he or she has a new time for office hours. Regardless of the circumstances, it’s best to speak with someone in the department as opposed to giving up on your attempts to speak with your instructor. At some point, you will be able to contact your instructor (and demand an “A” for all of your efforts, ha!).