| Lecturers - sources of information |
- about subject matter of study (subject experts)
- what standards are for written work and exams + what is examined (don't forget tutorial work may be examined)
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| Getting supplementary information (tutors, lecturers)
Give them advance notice
(Don't turn things into a contest by 'putting them on the spot' - this will not endear you to them. If you give them time to consider, you will get a better response, and give them a favourable impression of you.) |
- write down questions you would like clarified
- make an appointment to discuss questions
- be explicit about the topic you want to discuss
- vagueness wastes time and irritates
- Don't forget to put your name on questions etc.
- give notice of plans for essays
- give notice of changes of mind - titles of essays - in good time where these bear a heavy weight of assessment
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| Advice/responses from tutors
(Be open to advice - it's probably given with the best of intentions - even if it does not always feel like that - they want you to succeed! It does not mean that you are not in control!)
Keep a record of advice, suggestions |
- thank them for their time and trouble - even if you don't take their advice - It's always useful to have more than one source of advice to help clarify aims/decisions
- take note of comments your tutors have made - don't be defensive or you could end up getting little or no feedback - which is no help
- you can judge whose advice is most useful
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| Identifying yourself
(If you don't identify yourself - you can't blame them for not knowing who you are - but be identified for the right reasons!) |
- late comers get noticed - for the wrong reasons! Try to be punctual
- if you ask a question in a lecture, identify yourself first - it helps lecturers to know who they are talking to
- don't sit at the back of the lecture, yawn, gaze out of the window or chatter. - Again, you identify yourself for the wrong reasons
- be responsive in tutorials - don't make the tutor do all the work. If you don't respond they don't know how to help you. Give them feedback
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| Treat tutors as human beings |
- thank them for things they do which help you - this will encourage them to do more of the same. You can thus train them to help you. (Again, feedback)
- complain if you have to - but don't be totally negative. Tutors can get defensive too. Help them to help you.
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| Try to maintain good relations with your tutors |
- they are the ones who are going to give you a reference in the future (you hope) :- They need to know positive things about you
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It's not necessary to be in total agreement with their view of a subject - they will be delighted with a well-argued, well supported opposing view. This stimulates academic discussion. Pugnacious, 'personal' unsupported viewpoints are a different matter, as is slavish devotion to their views.
However, being polite, considerate, helpful, but your own person can only be perceived as positive.
