This resource is meant to serve as a general guide to emailing professors when you are experiencing circumstances that will impact your performance and/or attendance in class.
Helpful Reminders:
- It is up to you how much you are comfortable sharing with your professor. Details are not necessary, but can be helpful to assist your professor with understanding your circumstances.
- If you choose to include details of your circumstance, avoid being too vague or providing too many details. Include the information that is necessary to help your professor understand, but not so much that you provide every single detail of your circumstance.
- If it is unlikely your professor will recognize you by name or you are in a large class, it is always a good idea to start your email by introducing yourself, e.g, “This is Sarah Smith from your MAT 101 course.”
- We suggest requesting to meet with your professor either in person or via Zoom if your circumstances will prevent you from attending class or completing assignments for more than a week. This is so that your professor can get a better idea of your circumstances and help you formulate a plan to remain on top of your assignments. (An email template for requesting to meet is included below.)
- If you are struggling and could benefit from some extra support, please view the list of campus resources included below as well. We all need support!
- Tailor all templates to meet your specific circumstances and needs.
Notes on Requesting Extensions:
- Before requesting an extension, check the syllabus to see your professor’s policy on extensions and late work.
- If at all possible, be sure to request an extension several days before the assignment’s due date. Avoid requesting an extension last minute if you can.
- Remember that it is up to your professor’s discretion whether or not to grant an extension.
Templates:
The following templates include information on how to send an appropriate email to your professor and examples of what professional email writing looks like.
Remember that any email to your professor should always include your name, the course number, a greeting, and an expression of thanks. When sending an email to your professor, do not include any personal or sensitive information, like your student ID number, unless it is explicitly requested. Keep in mind that these templates are only suggestions for best practice and to always tailor any templates to fit your specific needs!
Feel free to copy and paste these as a starting point and change/add whatever information is necessary!
For Missing Class:
Subject: Will miss class due to illness (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I am writing to share with you that I currently have (INSERT ILLNESS HERE), and as such, will miss class on (INSERT DATES HERE). Please let me know if I will miss any in-class or homework assignments during my absence, so that I can stay on top of my course work. I greatly appreciate your understanding regarding my absence.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
For Requesting an Extension
Subject: (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT) (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I am writing to request an extension on (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT). I currently have (INSERT ILLNESS HERE), and as such, will unfortunately be unable to complete this assignment on time. Would (INSERT YOUR PREFERRED EXTENSION DATE HERE) work as a possible extended due date for this assignment? I greatly appreciate your understanding regarding my circumstances and consideration of my extension request.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
For Requesting an Extension
Subject: (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT) (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I am writing to request an extension on (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT), as I am currently experiencing some challenges with my mental health that are unfortunately preventing me from completing this assignment on time. Would (INSERT PREFERRED EXTENSION DATE HERE) work as a possible extended due date for this assignment? I greatly appreciate your understanding regarding my circumstances and consideration of my extension request.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
For Missing Class
Subject: Will miss class (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I wanted to quickly let you know that I will miss class on (INSERT DATES HERE), as I am currently facing some challenges with my mental health. Despite this, I am committed to remaining on top of my classwork and I plan to return to class as soon as I am able. I greatly appreciate your understanding regarding my absence.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
For Missing Class
Subject: Will miss class (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I regret to inform you that there has been a death in my family, and as such, I will miss class on (INSERT DATES HERE). Please let me know if I will miss any in-class or homework assignments during my absence, and I will be in touch soon about any work I miss. Thank you for your understanding.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
For Requesting an Extension
Subject: (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT) (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I regret to inform you that there has been a death in my family, and as such, will unfortunately not be able to complete (TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT) on time. Would you please consider granting me an extension for this assignment? If so, would (INSERT PREFERRED EXTENSION DATE HERE) work as a possible extended due date? I greatly appreciate your consideration of my request.
Best,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
Subject: Request for meeting (COURSE CODE & SECTION)
Dear Professor (PROFESSOR’S LAST NAME),
I hope that you are well. I am reaching out to request a meeting with you to (INSERT REASON FOR MEETING & WHAT YOU WANT TO DISCUSS). Is there a time you would be available to meet with me to discuss this?
Thanks so much,
(YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME)
Academic Achievement Center
Jackson Library 023
aac@uncg.edu
336.334.3878
STEM Learning Center
Faculty Center, 402 College Ave.
slc@uncg.edu
336.256.2597