Say WHAT?? How to Address Problem Situations



Say WHAT?? How to Address Problem Situations

by  on July 8, 2013 
When a problem occurs we could all potentially respond in a manner that is not positive. Below is a list of actual comments I have heard from students in the last 16 years of my work as a university professor.

  • It is too bad you grade so hard and cost me an A.
  • You have no compassion and do not understand students.
  • Be patient; my computer skills are a rusty.
  • I worked really hard on this paper! Why did you give me a C?
  • I won’t be in class on Thursday; will I miss anything?
  • I stopped by your office three times and you were never there!
Do you think these comments are helpful as a solution to a negative issue? How would you reword these statements in order to be more professional in nature? Does your approach to a problem lend itself to a solution, or negativity on both sides?
Let’s rethink some of these comments and reword them into a more positive approach:
  • I thought I knew the material before the test. Could you help me with some pointers for preparation for the next exam? Take as much responsibility for a problem as possible, but don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you have exhausted your resources. Professors are there to help!
  • I missed my assignment due to personal issues. Could I discuss my situation with you and brainstorm some ideas for successful completion of the class? Unfortunately, most students have personal issues that impede performance at some point. You will also have personal issues that get in the way of your job later in life. Nobody is immune! However, directly admitting you did not perform up to par and devising a plan for the future can be very helpful.
  • I am struggling with the technology required for this course. Are there any resources on campus that would be helpful to me? Ultimately it is your responsibility to navigate any technology required in the academic setting. I do not take responsibility for driving my students to face-to-face classes and I do not take responsibility for helping them learn to use a computer. On the other hand, new operating systems are sometimes tough to navigate, so most universities have professionals specifically trained to assist with computer issues. Your professors are there to teach content, not to make sure that you are able to use campus resources. Take the initiative and use all of the resources available to learn to manage the technical aspects of your coursework!
  • I worked hard on this paper, do you have any pointers to help me better prepare for the next assignment? Hard work does not always equal an A. The grade of an A indicates an exemplary final product. Some people have to work very hard to a C while others can quickly complete an A paper. The time spent on the activity can definitely be a contributing factor in a good grade, but in college the final product is the key. It is better to focus on how you can work SMARTER, not HARDER.
  • I will not be in class on Thursday. I will get the assignments from another student and let you know if I have any questions about the content.
  • Could I make an appointment to see you during your office hours? I am always amazed when students assume I will be in my office when I do not have office hours. I never assume I can find them in our classroom at times other than when class is scheduled.  Most people are not at work outside of scheduled work hours; avoid making that assumption of your professors.
Most professors are very willing to be helpful; however, they need to see that you are willing to do your part to fix a situation. Make sure to take responsibility for any problems that are of your making. Avoid expecting your professor to fix everything for you; come prepared to problem-solve.
Professors can serve as references for you later when you are looking for a job, so it is important to maintain positive relationships. Additionally, these same problem-solving and communication skills are important for you to have in your career. Although some of these suggestions may seem minor, they can take you a long way!
*Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of a Handshake

Image
The Power of a Handshake by   Lisa Brooks   on   August 13, 2013   What does your handshake say about you? Does it convey that you are confident and self-assured? Or, does it suggest that you are insecure, an emotional bully, or overconfident? Research shows that not only will you be judged by your handshake, you will be forming an impression about the other person when shaking hands. During my etiquette training at the Protocol School of Washington, I was taught to see the right hand as a sensor for discovering the type of person with whom I was dealing. Once you understand the subtle messages of a handshake and learn how to deliver the correct handshake, you will have a significant advantage in mastering your professional image. This article provides guidelines for delivering the correct handshake, as well as it will help you interpret (and avoid) some of the most common types of undesirable handshakes, such as the “dead fish,” the “fingertip holder,” the”glo...
Read more

The Art of Self-Disclosure

Image
The Art of Self-Disclosure by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013   How much information will  you  disclose in an interview or professional setting? It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This does not mean you should have to feel insecure that everything you say might be stupid or offend someone. What it does mean, however, is that you should think before you speak. In doing this, you can avoid disclosing  too much  information about yourself. In fact,  what  or  how much  you disclose can influence how others’ perceive you and how much they trust you as a potential employee or colleague. For example, “too much disclosure” may cause an interviewer to think you have “issues” or cause them to question your ability to keep information about their company or clients confidential. Not enough disclosure, on the other hand, can make you appear “c...
Read more

Omnipresence of Sugar

Image
                                                                    Omnipresence of Sugar By Shaun Hurdelbrink and Natasha Cole, MPH, RD on April 28, 2015 Are you aware of sugar’s omnipresence in your life or how much you truly consume? Added sugar is found in many foods: breakfast cereals, fruit juices, granola bars, ketchup, BBQ sauce, soymilk, energy drinks, protein bars, etc. You get the idea. Unsurprisingly, Americans consume “an average of more than 500 calories per day from added sugar alone.” 1  Not only do added sugars themselves contribute several hundred calories daily, but sugar’s low nutritional value makes people “continue to feel hungry” after consuming them. 2  Sugar not only contributes to obesity around the world, but it is also linked to other health problems such as: hypertension...
Read more