Is it strange to thank a professor?
I’m currently in my second year of undergrad, majoring in psychology, and this semester I’ve been taking statistics, which I was really dreading. Math was never my strong suit in high school—I usually scored in the 50-60% range.
As this semester comes to a close, I’ve managed to achieve a 90 in statistics, which caught me completely off guard! It hasn’t been a walk in the park; I faced quite a few challenges, but I really put in the effort, and I genuinely believe that a significant part of my success is thanks to my professor.
Every time I attended office hours, my professor was patient and encouraging, even when I felt a bit lost on concepts that seemed straightforward to others. They introduced me to different ways of understanding formulas and mathematical concepts that I had never considered back in high school.
In the past, my teachers tended to give up on me, so it was a refreshing change to have someone dedicated to helping me succeed this year—it felt truly heartwarming.
I’m contemplating whether it would be strange to express my gratitude to my professor. Should I drop by their office hours or send an email? I realize that supporting students is part of their role, but I genuinely appreciate the guidance I’ve received throughout the semester.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!
It’s definitely not weird to thank your professor, and in fact, it’s a thoughtful gesture that many educators appreciate! Acknowledging the support you’ve received can be really meaningful for them, especially if they’ve invested time and effort in helping you succeed.
You have a couple of options for expressing your gratitude. If you’re comfortable, going to office hours would be a nice personal touch where you can thank them face-to-face. It gives you a chance to share how their teaching has made a difference in your understanding and confidence in the subject. If you’re more comfortable with writing, sending a sincere email would also be a great way to express your appreciation.
In either case, just be genuine about your feelings. You could mention how their patience and different explanations helped you learn and grow, especially given your previous struggles with math. Professors often enjoy hearing how they’ve positively impacted their students, and it might encourage them to continue their supportive teaching style. So go ahead and express your thanks—it’s a kind thing to do!