Communicating with Others

College involves communicating with professors, advisors, classmates, supervisors, and other people on campus. Knowing how to ask questions, communicate clearly, and speak up when you need help can make college a little easier.

Sending a Good Email

Email is one of the main ways you will communicate with professors, advisors, and campus offices. A clear, respectful email makes it easier for the person receiving it to understand what you need and respond.

Remember: Email is not a text message. Email like you would write a letter, not like you text. You don't need to write a formal letter, but you should use complete sentences, a greeting, and a professional tone. Avoid texting abbreviations or overly casual language when communicating with professors, staff, or campus offices.

Before you send an email:

Use a clear subject line.
Start with a greeting.
Briefly explain why you are reaching out.
Ask specific questions or make a specific request.
Include any information or attachments the person needs.
End with your name.
Read it over before you send it.

Check your IWU email every day. Your IWU email is how professors and the University will communicate important information with you. Check your syllabus to see how often your professors expect you to check email, and make sure you respond when a response is needed.

Tip: Add your IWU email to your phone so you can easily check it throughout the day.

Asking for Help

Asking for help is part of being a successful student. You don't have to wait until you are completely stuck before reaching out.

You might:

Ask your professor about something you don't understand.
Go to office hours.
Talk with your academic advisor.
Connect with a tutor or other academic support.
Contact a campus office when you aren't sure where to go.
Let someone know when something is getting in the way of your success.

When you ask for help, explain what you've already tried and where you're getting stuck. This gives the person helping you a better idea of how to help.

Communicating with Professors

Your professors are an important resource. Don't be afraid to ask questions or let them know when you need help.

You can:

Ask questions during or after class.
Attend office hours; check out the Office Hours are for YOU resource.
Ask for clarification when you don't understand an assignment.
Talk with your professor if you are having difficulty keeping up.
Let your professor know if something is affecting your ability to complete your work.

You don't need to have the perfect question before you reach out. Sometimes you just need to start the conversation.

Communicating with Classmates and Others

Talking with other students can help you understand different perspectives, compare notes, and work through difficult material.

When working with others:

Listen to what others have to say.
Ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Be willing to explain your ideas and hear different perspectives.
Be respectful when you disagree.
Follow through on commitments when you're working as a group.

Feeling Confident in Your Ideas

You may not always feel confident speaking up, especially when you're still figuring something out. You don't have to be certain that you're right before you ask a question or share an idea.

Try:

Asking a question when something isn't clear.
Sharing your thinking, even if you're still working it out.
Saying, “I'm not sure I understand…” or “Can you help me understand?”
Asking for clarification instead of pretending you understand.
Remembering that asking questions is part of learning.