Be professional and diplomatic.  Write emails with proper grammar and punctuation, come to meetings with questions ready, and consider how you want to be perceived.  In meetings, don’t wear sunglasses or earphones or check your cell phone for unrelated matters.  Be prepared to accept constructive criticism in a professional manner.

• Faculty members have different ways of interacting with students (some are casual, some are more formal) but ultimately academia is a professional arena, and you are expected to conduct yourself accordingly.  Do not flirt, threaten, or be overly casual.

Know that our faculty want you to be successful.  If you notice feeling hesitant to reach out, remember that you are here to learn and you have valuable insights.  If you are wondering about something, chances are you are not the only one, so ask questions often and early.

• If you see signs of falling short on certain requirements, be proactive and request a meeting.

Prepare before meetings.  To get the most out of your mutual time, review notes and write down your specific questions.  This will help you feel more comfortable, and the faculty member will appreciate your organization.  

• Respect the person’s time by being succinct with emails and attending scheduled meetings on time.  If you have to cancel a meeting, make sure you send an email well in advance.