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Etiquette Advice for Students
I was considering naming this article “Why I no longer help ungrateful students” but I reckon I was being a little harsh. So I have decided on the self-explanatory title above, which leads me onto the whole point of this posting.
Advice for students who email me for help
Over the course of time, I receive emails from students wanting me to answer some questions for their dissertations and other essays, etc. This has been fine until the last couple of occasions—which leads me to my next point.
I have limited time.
I’m a graduate from 2001, and when I needed help I was always appreciative.
Show a little respect
Yes, I have lots to do, so when I spend a good 20 minutes of my time answering questions for a student dissertation, I would at least expect a “thank you” email in return.
No. I’m not after a Blue Peter Badge, commendation or over-the-top appraisal. Just a RE: email that says “Thank you!” would even be sufficient.
It makes me wonder if I will continue to answer more student emails in the future…
(PS, I’m aware most people know the very-human unofficial rule of etiquette. This post is more of a rant to those without respect)
Have you had any similar experiences? Please leave your comment below…
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11 Comments
As a student, and one with strict parents, I’d certainly respond to any help and advice in an appreciative manner, whether good help was given or not.
Although I’d try and look at the situation from a different perspective, if a student approached me and didnt respond in a grateful manner then they too will come unstuck later on in life, these things always come back around. It also limits them to one piece of advise per person. Which, despite the vast array of online help is still an unwanted limitation.
18 Feb 2011 04:02 pm Ryan Murphy
Email etiquette — can do wonders for those who get it right.
18 Feb 2011 05:02 pm David Airey
I think this post will deter students from asking you for advice in the future. Mission accomplished!
18 Feb 2011 07:02 pm Kiren
I’m so sick of this, as well, Andrew. I’ve stopped replying to emails that don’t address me by name. But, it makes you wonder what they are being taught at college when they can’t spell and don’t even employ basic politeness when they’re asking for help. Sometimes, after writing an email reply I find that they’ve been unable to type in a correct email address for themselves and it bounces! Arrrgh!
OK – this seems to have struck a chord for me. I’m afraid that this won’t deter them from doing it, though. This problem won’t go away. And, David’s right, if you can’t be bothered to follow the basic rules of etiquette you won’t have any sort of success online.
19 Feb 2011 10:02 am Rob Cubbon
Ryan → I can remember when I was at uni. There were plenty of great students, but a fair few wayward ones also. I’m not saying that I will never reply to student request again, but I’m going to be more selective.
David → It certainly can be a window into the mind in a vast majority of occasions.
Kiren → Its not my mission to deter, rather to educate and help weed out certain individuals from contacting me.
Rob → Oh yeah, I never reply to the ones who don’t address by name. After all, how hard could it be when our URLs spell them?
I recently did a quote when the return email address was wrong. Luckily, though, I found their correct address through their own URL. Spelling mistake I think. It is annoying, though.
And yes, I reckon basic etiquette is a must – even online.
Thanks all for your thoughts on the matter…
19 Feb 2011 01:02 pm Andrew Kelsall
I find it hard to believe that some people cannot even be bothered to write two short words at a bare minimum.
Lack of courtesy is something that has always annoyed me, not just in the situation you’ve described, but in day-to day life. I try my best to be courteous and polite to people at all times, even when I’m not feeling in a particularly great mood.
People who don’t say please or thank you really get my back up. It takes nothing to thank someone for holding the door open for you (that too is something that seems to be fading out).
It’s likely that these students won’t receive many (or any) email replies back from agencies they are seeking employment from if they can’t appear professional and courteous, which surely can only benefit the industry.
19 Feb 2011 03:02 pm Paul Murray
sorry, but i can’t agree in this one. basically e-mails with just “thank you” in it is a waste of time for the one who has to read it in my eyes. if i may quote from a article, that perfectly reflects my opinion: “I know it is very polite to say thanks when I answer your question offline and face to face. But in email, when you ask me a question, I answer it and you are happy with it, there really is no need to send an email with nothing but “Thanks!” in it. Want to thank me? Keep my inbox clean. Really NEED to thank me? Send me a bottle of champagne or some flowers.” (from http://tnw.to/17NKt – 10 awesome but impolite email filters)
24 Feb 2011 10:02 am Benno
Very true dude – very true.
24 Feb 2011 06:02 pm Rob MacKay
Paul → Totally agree. At some point, their lack of common courtesy will hit them hard one day. Some people will actually grow up and realise their mistakes in due course, although it’s fair to assume that others won’t.
Benno → Well, you’re entitled to your opinion. When I mentioned that a simple “thank you” would do; I was talking about a bare minimum email reply. I checked your link – the Hotmail email filter is amusing.
Rob → I assume you can also to relate to this!
Thanks all for your input…
24 Feb 2011 06:02 pm Andrew Kelsall
I do find it hard to believe that some of the professionals above have stated that they wouldn’t respond in the first place. How can you even know if you’d get a thanks? I hope i have misread this, i really do. No one is a pro without being a student.
As for needing a deterent, why would you want one, it takes seconds to delete an emaill, but a couple of words to potentially change a career. Personally i can only see one option there.
24 Feb 2011 06:02 pm Ryan Murphy
I agree that manners cost nothing and are very important but as a mature student I must stand up for young people. In my experience they are on the whole lovely and it has been a pleasure to spend the past few years learning alongside them. Yes there are some who can be rude or impolite but no more than us oldies.
29 Nov 2011 06:11 pm Jayne Walsh
(Twitter: @@jayne_walsh)
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