Help! I need to email a professor!!!?

Question

Ok. I’ve been struggling to write a term paper for my fourth year English class all week. But, Sadly, I’ve been unable to finish it. I’ve done all the research, I’ve just experienced a painful bout of writer’s block.

So now I don’t know what to do. I feel awful – actually, sick. Do I email the prof now (it’s midnight my time) just to let him know ahead of time that I didn’t finish it? If so, what do I say? Should I be matter of fact? (eg., I’m sorry but I won’t be able to hand it in tomorrow) or apologetic? (I’m so sorry; I hope this won’t inconvenience you, I understand if you don’t want to accept it) Or do I just show up tomorrow and sheepishly tell him I didn’t finish it? Or should I just skip class tomorrow and hand it in on Monday without saying anything? Is it maybe better to email the TA?

How do I alleviate an already terrible situation? He’ll probably dock off marks, but how do I handle it in the best possible way?

Please help!

Answer 1

Show up tomorrow, and speak to your professor. No question.

I personally HATE it when students are too cowardly to show up and inform me of their situation. It looks weaselly. And there will be absolutely no reason for your professor to accept your paper at all if you just show up on Monday and attempt to hand it in.

Tomorrow, either before or after class, give the professor a matter-of-fact explanation of your assignment's tardiness. Tell him that you've done your research, but that your paper is taking longer to complete than you expected.

Be sure to mention that you are prepared to face any penalties he might impose, but that you are hopeful that he will be willing to accept the paper on Monday.

And when you do turn in the paper, make sure it is GOOD. That means well-argued, well-written, and conscientiously proofread.

Oh, and email the TA AFTER you've spoken to the professor, informing the TA of whatever the professor told you.

I wish you well. Just be up-front and honest. That is always the wisest and most mature way to handle situations like this.

Answer 2

You had a commitment to hand in your paper by a certain deadline. You missed your commitment. Regardless of the reason, there should be consequences (well, there may be some reasons, but writer's block isn't one of them).

In business, missing deadlines and commitments can be devastating. You can be fired, careers can be destroyed over missed commitments.

However, an understanding of the consequences of missing a commitment will help in correcting the problem. For God's sake don't bother the TA or Professor now - you're in college, not in Jr High. Act like an adult. Emailing them to say you failed will do nothing except reinforce the perception you're a kid begging for absolution.

Go in tomorrow and tell them exactly what happened. Don't be contrite and don't be aloof. Neither are appropriate conditions. Explain that you had writer's block. Explain that you were stressed and beating yourself up but in the end you could not produce. And here's the important thing - it would have been far better to turn in a "B-" paper on time than to take an extra weekend and turn in an "A" paper on Monday. Tell the Prof that. Tell them it won't happen again - regardless of the condition of the paper, from now on you will not miss your commitments.

I think that will go a long way to showing you learned from your mistake, which is in part the point of college.

Answer 3

Honesty is the best policy. Tell him exactly what happened (in person) and inform him that you wanted to write a concise paper, but unfortunately you had run out of time. Inform him that it will never happen again as you have learned your first lesson on time management.