Apologizing to a professor

[Yorick]

Are there any specific do's and don'ts in apologizing to a professor? I missed a lab meeting for ta's, completely my fault as I got caught up with something earlier; would it be acceptable to say that I'm sorry for missing the lab meeting and that it was my fault for getting caught up with something earlier and not prioritizing and ask to come in next week to briefly go through the meeting?

thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

If they are friendly go right ahead if not then let it go and ask one of the other TAs.

 

[IV Zulu VI]

Yeah, I don't think this is too big of an issue. I would just email the professor and appologize and offer to come in at an alternate time. Should work out no problem

 

[Yorick]

Got it, thank you. Definitely just overreacted a bit here.

 

[deleted357625]

Are there any specific do's and don'ts in apologizing to a professor? I missed a lab meeting for ta's, completely my fault as I got caught up with something earlier; would it be acceptable to say that I'm sorry for missing the lab meeting and that it was my fault for getting caught up with something earlier and not prioritizing and ask to come in next week to briefly go through the meeting?

thanks

Don't apologize. Acknowledge your fault.

 

[HughMyron]

Go to their office and tell them that you'll do anything to make it up to them.





Srsly tho you're making a mountain out of a molehill. It'll be fine.

 

[sunflower18]

I don't understand the people saying that it's not a big deal and to not even apologise. Definitely send an email and express your regret for being forgetful. I think it'd leave a really bad impression to not come and then not say anything. Especially if it is a small meeting and they were expecting you. It's probably not a big deal, but I think it would be if you didn't apologise.

 

[deleted357625]

I don't understand the people saying that it's not a big deal and to not even apologise. Definitely send an email and express your regret for being forgetful. I think it'd leave a really bad impression to not come and then not say anything. Especially if it is a small meeting and they were expecting you. It's probably not a big deal, but I think it would be if you didn't apologise.

He doesn't need to apologize for an error on his part that wasn't even that detrimental. A simple brief acknowledgment of fault is beneficial enough. Also, no need to email it's too late for that, the best best thing to do is next time he has a chance to meet or more professionally in person.

 

[sunflower18]

He doesn't need to apologize for an error on his part that wasn't even that detrimental. A simple brief acknowledgment of fault is beneficial enough. Also, no need to email it's too late for that, the best best thing to do is next time he has a chance to meet or more professionally in person.

I completely disagree. I don't know about you or OP, but there are only four of us TAs at my meeting, and we are all supposed to explain how our labs went and find out about next week. We also all help set up the lab. The professors take time out of their schedule to meet and talk with us. I think an email ASAP apologising is crucial. Waiting would be irresponsible and would make a professor think that you feel that their time is unimportant.

I have plenty of professional meetings with professors and deans and faculty, and if a student who was supposed to be there didn't show up and didn't send an email acknowledging and apologising, everyone would be very displeased.

Maybe things are different at your school. I dunno. But I go to a small college where professors notice if you don't attend a class period, let alone a small gathering. That is the perspective from which I'm coming.

 

[deleted357625]

I completely disagree. I don't know about you or OP, but there are only four of us TAs at my meeting, and we are all supposed to explain how our labs went and find out about next week. We also all help set up the lab. The professors take time out of their schedule to meet and talk with us. I think an email ASAP apologising is crucial. Waiting would be irresponsible and would make a professor think that you feel that their time is unimportant.

I have plenty of professional meetings with professors and deans and faculty, and if a student who was supposed to be there didn't show up and didn't send an email acknowledging and apologising, everyone would be very displeased.

Maybe things are different at your school. I dunno. But I go to a small college where professors notice if you don't attend a class period, let alone a small gathering. That is the perspective from which I'm coming.

Yea, different world.

Honestly, it's just a TA meeting. Big whoop. Not that important, therefore no need to apologize in my book. You can beg to differ. If this was a different scenario and involved something more serious then an apology may be needed. I don't understand why individuals are so apologetic when they don't mean it, but just using it as a trademark term for being merely late or wrongful. Same goes for thank you. Only use it with meaning. Just going in and saying sorry shows weakness in my view and on top of that it's not sincere.

 

[911 Turbo]

get on your knees, cry, and beg for forgiveness

 

[Ashley1989]

It should be fine as long as it doesn't keep happening. Just say sorry once in the beginning, tell them what happened and offer a solution that doesn't inconvenience your professor too much. Then just let it go and don't mess up again if you can help it. If you apologize too much they may think you're lacking confidence or that you're weak. Or, they may just wonder why you're so upset by missing one meeting and then you will be known as an easily excitable, easily stressed and not self assured individual.

 

[gettheleadout]

Or, if this professor is one of those somewhat scatterbrained fellows and you expect he/she won't recall your absence in a week, don't mention it at all. Just a thought.

This is especially appropriate if said scatterbrained fellow displays his/her own disregard for courtesy in attending meetings, maintaining communication, etc...

Not speaking from experience or anything.

 

[Narmerguy]

Yea, different world.

Honestly, it's just a TA meeting. Big whoop. Not that important, therefore no need to apologize in my book. You can beg to differ. If this was a different scenario and involved something more serious then an apology may be needed. I don't understand why individuals are so apologetic when they don't mean it, but just using it as a trademark term for being merely late or wrongful. Same goes for thank you. Only use it with meaning. Just going in and saying sorry shows weakness in my view and on top of that it's not sincere.

I disagree. You were expected to be somewhere and you failed to do that. You apologize for the error and move on, but you don't just plow on as if you're above making an apology. You were in the wrong here, so you apologize for it--just don't dwell on it and make it a big deal.

 

[deleted480308]

It's not hairi kiri (sp?). It's an email that says, "I'm sorry I missed the meeting, it won't happen again. I'll get the information from one ofthe other ta's unless you would prefer to meet personally"

Just apologize, a discussion about how you don't owe that simple sentence is ridiculous

 

[deleted127837]

I disagree. You were expected to be somewhere and you failed to do that. You apologize for the error and move on, but you don't just plow on as if you're above making an apology. You were in the wrong here, so you apologize for it--just don't dwell on it and make it a big deal.

This.

Seriously, SDN, these are basic social norms.