Academic Etiquette
Classrooms are social situations. As in any social situations, rules of etiquette make the interactions far more
pleasant and enjoyable for all concerned.
Classroom Etiquette
1. Attend Classes
 Attend every class
 Assume that everything said in the class (by both the teacher and other students) is important. Do
not ask, “Will this be on the test?”
2. Be present in class
 Do not work on other assignments, read the newspaper, write letters
 Avoid individual conversations with other students. Talking disturbs the teacher and other students in
the class
 Put away your telecommunication devices, turn them off; put them out of sight (unless, with the
permission of the professor, you are specifically using them for class work).
3. Arrive Punctually
 Arriving late interrupts the flow of the class and disturbs other students in the class
 Stay until the end of the class – stay both physically and mentally present until the professor dismisses
the class
 If, however, the professor is late for class, wait for him/her. You can read your text or prepare for
other classes while you wait.
4. Prepare for Class
 Come ready to discuss the topic identified in the syllabus or in the previous class
 Come with questions about the reading or other preparatory experiences
 Demonstrate your interest in the topic
5. Learn your Instructor’s Name
 If you do not know his/her name address the instructor as “Professor” or “Doctor”
 The instructor will tell you if he/she prefers a different form of address
6. Read the Syllabus
 The course syllabus answers many questions about the course.
 Read it carefully and ask for any clarification about the syllabus, particularly about deadlines or the
description of assignments
7. Be Aware of the Responsibilities of a Given Course
 While some professors prefer to receive drafts of a paper before you submit the final version, others
only want the finished product. Do not assume that all professors wish to read your drafts
 If you need additional assistance with writing or you would benefit from tutoring, visit the Academic
Support Center for help
8. Take Responsibility for Absences
 If you must be absent, take responsibility for making up the work
 Ask another student to take notes for you
 NEVER ask the professor, “Did I miss anything in the class?”

If needed, make an appointment with the instructor to go over missed work. But remember that this
is a privilege, not a right. The professor already covered the work in the class which you missed.
9. Meet Deadlines
 Discuss your concerns about not meeting a deadline BEFORE the assignment is due.
 If, for a good reason (not just because you procrastinated), you will not be able to meet a deadline,
make an appointment with your professor to discuss the possibility of submitting your assignment
late.
 Recognize that if you cannot meet a deadline for whatever reason, this may well be reflected in your
grade for that assignment.
10. Eat Outside of Class Time
 Unless you have back- to- back classes, eat before or after class or on break
 If you have no other time but to eat during class, ask the professor if that is acceptable
 If it is acceptable to eat during class, choose foods that are packaged in such a way that it will not
disturb other students around you when you open them.
Meeting with a Professor Outside of Class Time
1. Determine Why You Wish to Meet with the Professor
 Be clear about the purpose of your meeting. Are you meeting to clarify something talked about in
class, to discuss a grade, to ask for a letter of recommendation?
2. Make an Appointment
 Do not rush up to a professor after class and assume he/she has time to meet with you on the spot.
 Make an appointment at a mutually convenient time
 When asking for a meeting with a professor be as clear as you can about the purpose of the meeting.
 You may visit the professor during his or her office hours, but the professor may not have a long time
to meet with you if other students are waiting. In that case, you may need to be make another
appointment
3. Prepare for the Meeting
 Everyone’s time is important, so be prepared to state the purpose for your meeting as concisely as
possible
 Have all the materials you will need, for example, your textbook if you need clarification, the paper
that you wish to discuss
4. Arrive on Time for your Meeting
 Locate the professor’s office before the meeting or leave plenty of time to arrive on time if you are
not sure of the location
 If you will be unavoidably delayed, call to say when you will arrive or to reschedule the meeting
5. At the Meeting
 Introduce yourself. Unless the professor calls you by name, do not assume that the professor knows
who you are
 State your purpose for the meeting
 Be sure to thank the professor for his/her time when you leave