Follow these rules of basic email etiquette: Address your recipient by title and last name ( Dear Professor Interesting) Use full sentences and proper grammar, avoiding slang and emojis. Students need extensions on their assignments all the time. We've also written about proper email etiquette on our blog before: It's also important to keep emails short and to the point. You are a great professor, and I would love to be in your classes more often. Some fundamentals make a great thank you email for an extension to the professor: Emails need to have clear and conscious text in the whole email body to not only it does help the professor to draw attention to the mentioned material in the email and to keep the email away from the spam folder. It is important tosend thank you emails to professors to make a good impression on students on teachers or mentors. I also want to thank you for your caring spirit and assistance to a student such as myself.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'grammarhow_com-box-3','ezslot_7',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-grammarhow_com-box-3-0'); Now that youve seen a rough example of how a thank you email is structured, its time to dive into it. There are no hard and fast rules on how long to wait for a reply, but the general rule is to give it two or three days before sending a follow-up. Straightforward communication is key if youd like a more flexible deadline. I know you were covering another professor, but you really helped me understand something that I didnt get before. Explain what you found most engaging in their lectures. A polite and skilled thank you email reflects positively from students to their professors. Say who you are, what you want, and why you're messaging upfront. advice. Most universities also have a course leader who takes care of a specific degree program or major. Using the guide above, here are a few example email endings to professors for various situations you can use as a reference: 1. This extension excuse gets a lot of sympathies. Lets take them in order: The My Childs been Sick excuse is one that I get a lot, but also one that I usually find believable. And with my teaching and educational experience, I want to help students answer their most pressing questions. A professor discusses things like how to leave early and what professors think when you leave early. An excellent way to start your email is by stating who you are and explaining what your message is about. Similarly, if you got sick 3 days before the due date, what have you already done? Thank you so much for being such a great professor. Those reasons could be: You were admitted to a hospital. You'll want to be personal, but being too familiar can cause problems. Make it easier. I am in your ENGL 1301 class and I have been enjoying the recent discussion regarding proper grammar usage. Your support means more to me than I can express. Thank you for taking the time to run me through the project. I had no idea that I had that much of an impact on your class. But if something serious has happened, that was completely out of your control, it could be helpful to ask for an extension. Following these simple tips will help ensure that your email is professional and courteous, and that you have a better chance of getting the extension you need. Your prof will recognize you more quickly with a "utoronto.ca" address instead of something like "diehard_drwho_fan@yahoo.ca." Make sure they can place a face with a name. Only you can decide whether to email a professor. Just state the facts and be polite. Professors receive hundreds of messages daily and don't have time to delve too deeply to get the information they need. I really appreciate the support youve provided through this trying time. You can see 22 examples of how to address your emails and get to the point as soon as possible. Consider the nature of your situation and propose a reasonable and timely alternative or two. The end of a semester, the beginning of a session, receiving a recommendation letter, or admission for higher studies from a professor are some of the avenues you may find to express appreciation to professors. If youre happy to receive a recommendation from your professor, you should know the best ways to thank them. I didnt realize until this morning! If you answered yes to all these questions, you probably shouldnt ask for an extension. Appropriate reasons include: Even if youre proactive with your studies, there are times when circumstances warrant asking for an accommodation. Im suffering from an episode of anxiety/depression. Thank you again. You can be a little less formal if you feel it's appropriate. I appreciate your time. We use cookies to analyze site performance and deliver a better experience for visitors. A proposed solution or question about your options. So, how do you write an email to a professor? How to Ask Your Professor for an Extension by Email Let's start with a classical communication method with your professor - an email letter. Start with appropriate greetings Open with a "thank you" List the main reason for your "thank you" message Go into specifics Be positive Be sincere Keep sentences short and clear Include one last "thank you" (if it fits) Close with appropriate salutations A thank you email can be short, and the following examples will show you how that looks. ). Youve helped me figure out so many new things. As you wrap up an email to a professor, restate your expectations or requests politely. Your family has 500 hours of work to do after you die. Im having computer issues. If you show youre ambitious and taking your studies seriously, this excuse will go down well. A proper sign-off shows professors that students take their correspondence seriously and care to be polite for thank you against the given extension. Ending an email with an appropriate sign-offhelps the professor consolidate what they just read. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. We went to find the best productivity tools so that you can skip the browsing and take them for a test drive. Provide a timeline - Let the professor know when you will have the assignment completed if you are granted an extension. This is what I had planned to do in the next 7, 6, 5, 4, or 3 days before submission; This is why Im so sick that I cant do it. You have helped me understand some of the things I wasnt getting. 1. I would abide by their policies, especially if they have a zero-tolerance policy. Its nice to see that my work is appreciated. That personal touch will make your letter feel extra special. But Ive also worked in the professional world (outside of education) too. How to ask for an extension When you are sure you should ask for an extension, send the professor an email. When explaining that work has called you in for extra shifts, make sure your teacher knows you needed that money. Teachers understand that this is a sensitive topic. You went above and beyond for me. Thank you for everything youve done. I dont know how to thank you enough. You can mail it directly to the school to your professors attention or drop it off at the office. Teachers dont always grant this one, so be prepared to be told that your extension is not granted. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. You sponsored my internship, and youve made it possible for me to turn my life around. A simple thank you goes a long way when you are happy to sit in a professors class and learn from them. This can also work for makeup exams and assignments too. Finally, consider hand writing your letter. When discussing how to address a professor in an email, we're talking about the tone of voice and getting that right can be tricky. One thing to keep in mind is that professors are people too, and they understand that sometimes things come up. Follow these steps and produce an impressive thank you note to say "thank you, Professor": If youve grown up in the modern era, you may do most of your communication digitally. Theres really no other way around this one. https://helpfulprofessor.com/extension-excuses/. I believe these templates and the tips provided here will help you craft a letter that puts a smile on your professors face when they read your thank you letter. Children take up a lot of time, and with many of my students being single parents, I understand that children come first. So before you email them requesting more time, make sure youve taken the following steps: Once youve addressed these things, email your professor with a brief explanation of why you need more time (be specific) and attach a copy of your calendar showing when you will be able to submit the assignment. that has prevented you from completing on time. Another way of showing that youve sought help is showing that youve accessed help from the library or another member of the university staff. Writing emails to a professor can cause mild anxiety, but it doesn't need to be so. About The Helpful Professor We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Let your professor know the difference they made in your life. Even better, attach a note from your coach, employer or doctor who can attest to why you need an extension. Ensure the envelope and letter has the proper information visibly displayed so that it is direct and intentional. I dont have an excuse, Im sorry can you cut me a break? 10 Great Internship Thank You Letter Templates, 20 Warm Graduation Congratulations : Messages Full of Hope, 40 Best Examples for a Thank You Note to Teacher, 20 Heartfelt Notes To Say Thank You for Dinner. And you should follow your professors policies and not abuse their discretion. Talk to a student advisor at the university about how to get a diagnosis if you think youve got a learning disability. I would really appreciate if you could extend the deadline by one week. This website contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission on your purchases. I appreciate you getting back to me so soon. Related: How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and That is why, find out a justified reason and introduce it to your professor. If your letter is too lengthy, your gratitude may actually be buried. In this article we break it down into steps to illustrate what we mean. subject to our Terms of Use. Teachers dont want to offend you: but they also need to know youre not pulling the wool over their eyes. As always, some form of evidence of your situation is really helpful. I have been experience some personal difficulties that have made it difficult for me to complete the paper on time. Thank you so much. Please let me know if you need anything else. The most common one is dyslexia. I really appreciate the recommendation you wrote for me. Your personal goal might be to have graduated by a certain date, before your child starts (or finishes) school, or in order to qualify for an internship in a Masters program that has an application deadline of a specific date. I know a lot of other professors wouldnt have been so understanding. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Generally, the email body is a simple two to three-paragraph text followed by a closing para with the students name. What you need to make this excuse work is a paper trail showing evidence that you pulled your weight.