What is the "proper" way of addressing your professor?

<p>I've been pondering this and from what others have told me, it's best to just address them as "Professor so&so". But i've heard people just call them by their first name (this is weird to me, imo). Some call them "Doctor so&so" if they have their phd. So, which is the best way to go about this?</p>

<p>I usually stick with “sir” and “ma’am” if it’s in person. If it’s the headline in an email or a letter, i’ll put “Dear Prof. _____”.</p>

<p>If you aren’t sure then just use “sir” or “ma’am”. I have never heard of college professors allowing students to call them by their first name…I went to a school like that for High School though…anything is possible. All that aside just use Professor or Doctor…</p>

<p>I usually call them Professor xxx or sir/ma’am, unless they explicitly state their preference. I’ve had a few professors who’ve asked us to call them by their first name. The department of my major is super small, so all the students are on a first name basis with the professors.</p>

<p>If they don’t have a PhD, then you should just say “prof. ____”, right?</p>

<p>You should refer to them as “Professor [Their Name]” or “Dr. [Their Name]”. But be sure that they actually are PhDs before you call the the latter. </p>

<p>My PI told me I could call him by his first name and everyone else in the lab does except me. It makes me feel weird so I just go for “Dr. [His Last Name]”. Don’t call them by what you hear others calling them until they give you the go ahead.</p>

<p>Some profs don’t care if you call them by their first name in upper level classes…they’ll obviously tell you this in advance.</p>

<p>Always use a polite form ,and they will tell you how they like to be called . In general ,it’s always good to start with a formal name . When I have met my kid’s friends ,they always say Mrs.______________ and never by a first name . Show respect first !</p>

<p>Sir or Ma’am. Thats just me though. I’ve been calling my teachers that for as long as I can remember.</p>

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<p>I call several of my professors by their first names, as do the other students.</p>

<p>In my residential college, everyone goes by their first name. Even the Dean! (Although we call him Dean Steve, mostly because it annoys him.) </p>

<p>Formally, call them Dr. or Professor until they tell you otherwise. I had a few profs ask me to call them by their first names when I went to their office hours. Apparently the “Dr” and “Professor” makes them feel old lol.</p>

<p>Depends on the school. Rule of thumb is to address them by saying “Professor,” or “Professor _____.” Professors will pretty much tell you on the first day what they like to be called by students.</p>

<p>Most of my professors insist that we call them by their first names.</p>

<p>I use “Professor/Dr._____” and “sir/ma’am”. I would never call a professor by his or her first name unless they absolutely insisted on it.</p>

<p>I think we can all agree that it is ill-advised to call a professor by their first name unless they state that they either don’t mind it or prefer it.</p>

<p>Just say: </p>

<p>“Whaddup Bro.”</p>

<p>I guarantee you that respect will definitely come your way! </p>

<p>yea, right.</p>

<p>Some of my professors don’t care if we call them by their first names. We usually end up working with them on different projects for the department so I guess we have a different relationship with our professors than a lot of students. It is weird though. </p>

<p>Otherwise I just say “professor” whoever. I just don’t assume they’re a “Dr.” though. I’ve done that before and felt bad when I was wrong, lol.</p>

<p>If in doubt, ask. Usually Professor (or Dr., if they have a Ph.D) ____ is most polite and formal. Usually they’ll tell you if you can refer to them by their first name. For example, my community college choir director allows those in the choir to call him by his first name, especially those who are close to his age, but for his other classes, he prefers people call him Dr. ____, since he has a Ph.D in music. </p>

<p>Out of all my college professors/instructors, my voice class instructor is the only one I feel comfortable referring to first name, since everyone calls her by her first name.</p>

<p>I’ve called mine Miss and Mister if I call them anything at all. I forget to say Dr. or Professor or whatever.</p>

<p>Professor, but some are really cool and they will tell you to call them by their first name!</p>

<p>Do people not say Mr and Mrs in college? If I call someone professor I’ll feel like I’m in Harry Potter hahaha</p>