Is it bad to email lecturers like once a week?

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-

I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-

I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…

Just curious

Reply 1

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi there,

It's absolutely fine as long as you are emailing about genuine questions in a professional manner.
Overall, that's why teachers are there - to teach you and answer your questions.

Thank you,
Ilya

Reply 2

mesub

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post by EVMD17

Yes, that's fine. As long as they're not easily findable answers which you could have just looked up yourself.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by EVMD17

It's reasonable if you've made a decent attempt to find the answers yourself. That said if you have frequent questions that are routine in terms of the module content and stuff, why not go to office hours? That's what they're there for. Probably easier for the lecturer as well and more likely you'll get a quicker answer (and less risk of something getting missed that's important).

Reply 4

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi,

I hope you are well!😊

As others have said, your lecturers are there to support and teach you, its their job! So yes, it is completely okay to email them whenever you need them. I email my lecturers often (at least one a week- and sometimes even more often🤭), but as long as you are being polite, and are asking them for support, or about your studies, then I think they would be happy to answer.

I know the feeling, 'that you might be annoying them', but I honestly think that as long as you approach them politely, then they are more than happy to help!

I hope this helps!🙂
Best wishes,
Josie
University of Kent Student Rep🎓️

Reply 5

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi

I hope you are well!

I think that it should be fine as you are emailing the teachers questions about your course, which it is their job to answer. I feel that as long the questions and communications sent to the lecturing team are done in a professional manner then there shouldn't be any issues.

Remember, it's always better to ask!

I hope this helps,

Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps

Reply 6

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi!

I hope you are doing well. This is absolutely fine! You're lecturers are always there to help and support you with your worries if you have any :smile:

Thank you and have a good day!
Rachel

Reply 7

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi!
There is no problem in emailing your lecturers once a week - they are there to support and help you, if they are busy, they simply won't reply immediately. So don't worry at all!

Hope this helps! Faye 🙂

Reply 8

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hi @EVMD17
Its absolutely fine to email your lectures if you need advise on coursework or have any questions about the modules content for example, as they are there to teach and support you. Also feel free to ask questions at the end of the lectures, these can be in front of a group (if you feel comfortable with it, as other people may have similar questions), or privately when everyone else is leaving the lecture. As this way you get your questions answered quicker than an email, possibly in more detail. Also, some lecturers have office hours which are good ways to ask about content your unsure about.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 9

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hey @EVMD17,

Following on from what others have said above, as long as you're professional and emailing to find out information you can't find elsewhere, the frequency shouldn't matter too much. It's perfectly normal for students to email their lecturers, especially if there are upcoming assessments/coursework they want further clarification on. 🙂

If you have lots of questions, do you know if your lecturers/tutors have office hours? That's usually the ideal time to talk to university staff, as it's set-up specifically for student queries.

Eve (Kingston Rep).

Reply 10

TopBun

been a part time academic many years, I actually quite like it when I get questions

In class, or end of class, is good for quick clarifications etc. That's not a great time for longer answers because I or you may need to be elsewhere for another teaching session

Email works for me (esp with useful title information * see below) because I can deal with it when I get time, at my uni we are expected to reply within 3 days

My queries are usually about content (subject matter) or assessment - and it helps to know which right from the start.

With assessment issues I will often assume, if 1 person emails a question then others will have it, so will pick it up in the next session.

Sometimes folks send me things for comment / suggestions / improvement - these are awkward. Our uni does not allow feedback on work to undergraduates except through assessed channels. My workaround is to share work samples from previous students work with my students, usually a marginal pass/fail and a good one, and get them to mark it against the marking grid and then we talk about it - always fun 🙂 Definitely ask your tutors for samples (even just a paragraph is useful) of previous work

With content queries, like others have said above, it depends a lot on whether you should be able to answer the question yourself (UK unis are about independent learning after all). If it is something you should be able to solve yourself (remember your peers here too) but you are struggling for some reason then yes I would meet to help (and to see if something else is going on e.g. a student asking for help a lot may well have issues beyond academic and I have some responsibility to make sure they are okay),

If someone is sending me a lot of email, like every week with lots of questions, I would probably reach out to their Academic Advisor / Academic Tutor (or whatever you call them at your uni) and ask them to say hi and see if this is part of a larger issue

- academics teach lots of classes it is super helpful to know the topic / session / module you are referring to (see * above about email title). If you include your student number I can also check if you have a learning contract or other adaptations I need to know about

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 11

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Hi there,

It’s totally okay to email your lecturer, especially if you have genuine questions or need clarification as it's a part of their role is to support your learning! Since your lecturer seems happy to help, don’t stress too much about frequency. You’re engaged, and that’s a good thing! If you’re worried, you could consolidate your questions into one weekly email to keep communication efficient. Keep doing what works for you!

Hope this helps.

Thanks & Regards
Second Year Applied Biosciences Student
Coventry University Student Ambassadors.

Reply 12

Ciel.

go for it - you're paying 10k a year for your degree, so get your money's worth

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 13

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by EVMD17

I don’t email every week but the last couple of weeks I’ve had questions about certain things for our upcoming unit that’s due-
I’ve just asked stuff about research and studio slot times-
I worry about annoying my lecturer, he always seems happy to help but my other friends don’t seem to ask him much…
Just curious

Hey there,

Nice to meet you. My name is Siobhan and I am a third year at UCLAN.

I think that this is a great question and one that others will be wondering too. Your uni lecturers are there to support you and guide you with our course so it is great that you are asking questions and not having to struggle. I would say, as long as you have given the questions a go/tried to figure it out yourself and you're still struggling then I would definitely email you lecturer.

I would also try not to compare yourself to your friends and what they are doing as everyone has their own learning preferences and set of skills! You're doing the right thing seeking help when you need it.

I would also see if your uni has a dedicated academic tutor to your course as they can help with things like assignment support, whilst lecturers may be limited as they will be marking you. If this is something that interests you then I would ask if your uni has this available?

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions 🙂

Siobhan (3rd year student ambassador at UCLAN)