OnlineProfessor

Mysterious voicemail messages to instructors

At least once per term, I get a mysterious student voicemail message that is barely understandable. I want to help the student and provide the information he or she needs, but my hands are tied if the student doesn’t even provide a name. So here are some tips to keep in mind if you must call one of your professors.

Voicemail message tip list:

• Leave your name and contact information at the beginning and at the end. It is a best practice for school and in business to learn voicemail etiquette. It’s efficient to leave your full name and contact information at the start and end of each message. I can’t tell you how many students completely forget to leave their name and contact information. This makes it difficult or impossible to get back to a student.
• Provide your course name and number. Remember that teachers often teach multiple classes. Be professional and provide instructors with your class information, and this helps them respond to you more promptly.
• Beware of cell phone reception woes. It you simply must use your cell phone to call your instructor, go to a quiet place without background noise, and be sure you’re in a spot with solid reception. Instructors often receive messages that sound like static-riddled messages from the afterworld. And it is tough to discern the content of those messages.
• Be specific. Avoid simply stating your name and asking the instructor to call you back. Provide a little information about the reason for your call. This way, an instructor can prepare resources and get back to you with a more productive and focused reply.
• Jot down notes. Keep your messages short and focused, and be clear on what you’re going to say in one message. Avoid calling an instructor three times in a row because you “forgot something.”

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