Beginning a new semester can be stressful for a variety of reasons, including new classes, new professors, and new people. To help alleviate some of that stress, this post has included some tips and acronyms to keep in mind when navigating through IUP.

Communicating with Professors

In Person

Use Correct Titles: Have you ever called a professor Dr. So and So, only to find out they are not a doctor of any sort? On the first day of classes, professors are likely to let you know how they would be addressed. It is important to pay attention to their preference, so you can avoid awkward situations like the one above.

Greetings: Nothing brightens a person’s day like a hello and a smile! If you see your professors outside of class, be sure to say hello or strike up a conversation with them. Building those connections will help ease your transition to campus.

Ask Questions: Professors are here to serve as a resource to students. Be sure to ask your professors questions about the syllabus or class work. Making use of their office hours can greatly benefit you during your time at IUP.

In Email

Be Courteous: It’s easy to fall into the habit of emailing the same way you text. Being polite and friendly via email can make the difference between you getting a swift reply back or not hearing back for a month.

Check Spelling: In a world full of spell check, there is no excuse for misspelling words. Be sure to proofread your emails, and check that you have the correct spelling of the professors’ name before you send them.

Short, Sweet to the Point: Emails are sent with a purpose so make sure to include details that are relevant to the question you are asking. This allows the person you are emailing to easily distinguish the issue and provide an accurate response.

IUP Acronyms

HUB: Hadley Union Building,

HSS: Humanities and Social Sciences Building

BU: College of Business

ED: College of Education and Education Technology

FA: College of Fine Arts

HH: College of Health and Human Services

HS: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

NM: College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

MCSLE: Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement