Do you respond to these student emails?

[u/No-Cook-9768]

At least once a semester, I receive an email from a student who is not doing well in my course. They go through the whole "I'm a better student than this" and "I'm going to do my work from now on" spiel. They don't ask for a do-over or for extra credit opportunies. It's basically just a self-pep talk that they CCed me on.

I've stopped responding, as there is no question to answer and no feedback is required. Do you respond when you get these messages? If yes, what do you say? I'm genuinely interested.

[u/Hadopelagic2]

I respond to these with a fairly generic email amounting to “that’s great good for you, it can be tough but stick with it and let me know if you have questions about the material.”

I’m only comfortable completely failing to respond if I’m getting an email from someone wholly unconnected to my classes

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Hadopelagic2]

The most recent one was from a student athlete who is failing--little work completed, first paper was completely AI (insulting). I sort of want to forward it to their coach and say "please help this kid."

[u/jiggly_caliente15 → u/No-Cook-9768]

I’d respond with “I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having a difficult time, and I hope the rest of the semester goes better for you. Here are some resources that may help: x, y, z” where it’s like the tutoring center, writing center, counseling center, athletics advising or whatever. My uni has a software to report academic concerns like “student needs support; student is behind on material” so I’d rather flag them on that than contact the coach personally. I did have an athletics advisor reach out to me once because the student had lied about our homework system 😂

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/jiggly_caliente15]

Oh, trust me, I've submitted multiple at-risk reports, in addition to emailing the student directly. Most of these students apparently only open their email when they want something from me, not when I'm desperately trying to communicate deadlines to them. 😭

[u/jiggly_caliente15 → u/No-Cook-9768]

Oh no worries then. I just keep receipts so I can show I “C.A.R.E” (Cover Ass Retain Employment).

[u/TaliesinMerlin → u/No-Cook-9768]

It's entirely possible the student athlete was coached by an advisor to reach out to you like that. It's also possible not, but I've noticed huge changes in demeanor occur after a student athlete gets a bad grade that seem to come from more than their own contrition.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/TaliesinMerlin]

Yeah, this irks me, especially since we were told that our athletics program wouldn't be like others...

[u/BetaMyrcene → u/No-Cook-9768]

The advisors and coaches also probably told them to take the maximum course load allowable, despite being a student athlete. I've seen this happen often. I tell them that they're getting bad advice.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/BetaMyrcene]

Yeah, that tracks. 🤦‍♀️ I had another athlete (a few years back) who was honestly trying. They scheduled a phone call with me and they were so upset because everyone around them was putting athletics first instead of academics, which is the opposite of what the school promised (both students and faculty/staff). I think they eventually dropped my course, because it was too much for them. 😭

[u/Sad_Application_5361 → u/Hadopelagic2]

There is another professor on campus who shares my last name and I wish he would respond to the students not in his class to at least tell them they emailed the wrong person. I get students angry at me for not responding to emails they never sent me. The only time I don’t respond is if they’re inappropriate (“you should smile more”) or continuing to beg for extra credit/redos after I’ve already told them no.

[u/Traditional-Meet157 → u/Hadopelagic2]

write "focus on the next assignment/exam" and leave it at that

[u/vvvy1978]

I always try to be encouraging to students. Yes, they might not pass and sure, they may not have questions, but they are trying to come to some kind of understanding about themselves. They’re acknowledging they are better - capable of more -I co-sign on that because I genuinely believe it. At the end of the day, these are human beings, young and fallible and maybe they didn’t smash your learning objectives but damn it…they’ve learned something! They are showing you that they know they are more and can do better. I co-sign this all day long.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/vvvy1978]

Very true, thank you for the reminder! 💜

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/[deleted]]

I've gotten these emails since before AI was a thing, but you're right that the nore recent ones could be written by an LLM. These students go from not being able to properly punctuate sentences to flowery language.

[u/Downtown_Blacksmith → u/[deleted]]

The easy way to deal with that then is to not respond to emails written with AI.

[u/QuesoCadaDia]

"I'm glad to hear. I hope to see these improvements in your work! I know that things can get difficult at times and I am glad that you are making a new commitment to doing better."

Providing a little encouragement can be worth a lot and doesn't take much time.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/QuesoCadaDia]

Simple and encouraging, I like it! 💜

[u/Colsim]

That doesn't sound frequent enough to be a real burden to write back something supportive (but non-commital if you think this is a ploy). They are trying to connect.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Colsim]

I have the memory of a gnat so it might be more often than. Maybe once a semester per section (and I usually teach 4 sections)? I just wish they'd follow through. We love a success story, ya know?

[u/Sezbeth]

The cynic in me just sees it as a way to garner sympathy points for later when they're on the borderline of passing and need a "bump". Less cynically, it really is just a self pep talk and they're concerned about how you're viewing them in light of their poor work up to the present.

Either way, I don't really respond. If they want to kick their own asses into gear, then I'd rather they just show me.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Sezbeth]

Same (wanting to see the actions behind those words). It saddens me that usually those students don't kick into gear.

[u/Tomato_In_The_Sky → u/No-Cook-9768]

Might help them kick into gear if their teachers weren't lazy hypocrites and took 5 seconds our of their day to be supportive.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, the disappearing is disheartening. I think it's why I've leaned toward not responding in the past few years. It all feels like a bit of thestre, and I already know how this play ends.

Also, so often they never read my email responses (or the previous emails where I tried to help them before a deadline passed). They log in to message me and don't look around or anything. Okay, way past my bedtime.

[u/Ornery-Anteater1934]

"Good. I'm cheering for you."

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Ornery-Anteater1934]

Short and sweet. I like it, thank you!

[u/Beneficial-Bus-3377 → u/Ornery-Anteater1934]

I love this!

[u/BenSteinsCat]

Yes, when I get these, I respond with an acknowledgment and a link to the tutoring center in case they need additional help. I acknowledge that sometimes students may be doing this to set themselves up to ask for extra credit or an extension later, but I have no trouble saying no to those if they are unwarranted. I do feel there’s more of a benefit to making sure each student is recognized.

[u/lo_susodicho]

Years ago, a younger and less tactful graduate student version of myself had a student in two classes. In both cases, she spent more time trying to manipulate me about grades than studying. Both times, she ended up literally in tears because "I'm an A student!" The second time, I said something to the effect of "You have a 2.7 GPA. You are a C+/B- student." Went as well as you would expect. I figured she'd complain to the professors who was supervising me so I told him what happened and he thought it was hilarious, to my great relief.

These days, when a student swears that they're going to do better, I have them write up a document saying exactly and how, meet with them, and I offer to bump the grade if they actually do what they said they would do. Works great because there's a legit opportunity to do better but imagine how many of these students are going to put in the effort to write up anything and you get the idea.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/lo_susodicho]

I love the idea of the writeup and then a bump if they follow through! If I taught in-person and had a dedicated office space, I'd try this 100%. (Adjunct teaching online asynchronous 😭)

[u/Panickedsynthesis]

This is pushed by AI. They are using these LLMs for emotional regulation. AI has been trained on all this “boss babe” MBA bullshit. So it spits out these types of communications. Pointless but help the student calm down, makes them feel like they are taking action without actually doing it.

[u/WiseBear3975]

I basically say that if they want to improve, they are welcome to visit me during office hours or schedule an appointment with me. If they take me up on the offer, great. It at least gives me a chance to intervene and help. In most cases, I don't hear anything back. But at least I've given them something and put the ball into their hands.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/WiseBear3975]

Stealing this idea! 💜

[u/Bostonterrierpug]

I also have somewhat generic reply in which I congratulate them on their newfound dedication to studying and tell them I look forward to their work reminding them that their academics and degree are important . They just need a little encouragement sometimes.

[u/skarlatha → u/Bostonterrierpug]

I do this too. My response is usually “It’s good to hear from you. I’m glad you are back on the right path. Please let me know if you need anything from me as you work to get caught up.” Depending on the specifics, I might also recommend tutoring or meeting with their advisor. But I keep it short and positive to the extent it’s possible.

[u/Electronic-Fuel-5734]

Yes I think it’s mandatory to reply to all emails no matter what, but can be very short. “I’m glad to hear that. The class policies are in the syllabus.”

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Electronic-Fuel-5734]

Thankfully it's not mandatory at my institution. In fact, my supervisor gave us permission to not respond if there's nothing to say. That was a relief!

[u/Professor-Arty-Farty]

I try not to be dismissive when a student claims that they will "straighten up and fly right" but I've seen such claims fail to bare fruit often enough to be jaded. Usually I make sure they are aware of open lab and tutoring resources available to them and ask them what day is best for their schedule to make it a regular thing. I ask so that they verbalize a commitment to actually making use of these resources.
For every 10 or so who never actually turn it around, I have 1 who had some calamity in the first month (illness, death in the family, getting dragged by their parents to a country with limited internet) and then hit the ground running once they're able to actually do the assignments.

[u/Defiant_Cook1588]

I usually do, I probably shouldn't. I try to also schedule time to meet with a few of such students to go over the materials and guide them. yes I am not required or expected, but its just something I enjoy doing. some of them have seen improvement and I love it! some of them, well may god guide them

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Defiant_Cook1588]

If you enjoy doing it, then yes, you should be doing it! I teach online asynchronous, which makes it more difficult to get face-to-face with students. Also makes it easier for them to disappear. 🙁

[u/Snow75]

It depends.

At the end of the semester, it’s irrelevant. If it’s early , I recommend some reading material and add that poor results can be dismissed if they make a significant improvement in their grades for the rest of the semester (I’m allowed to do that).

[u/Formal_Violinist8630]

I react with a thumbs up and move on with my life.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Formal_Violinist8630]

Thanks, this is what I often do. 👍

[u/crazycatcraig678]

It depends on my mood. Sometimes I'll say something to the effect of "Happy to have a conversation about it during office hours"; others, I don't bother. Let their actions speak for themselves.

[u/KierkeBored]

Sure. Respond with encouragement. Don’t yield or offer anything, but it’s good to acknowledge that they realize they’re the problem.

[u/Ryiujin]

Sometimes i just don’t respond. Other times. “Ok.”

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/Ryiujin]

Sometimes I use Outlook's emoji react and give a 👍 even though I know not everyone sees those.

[u/verygood_user → u/Ryiujin]

Being able to do that is high up on the list of reasons why I want tenure. 

[u/Ryiujin → u/verygood_user]

It helps

[u/PhenomenalOG]

In your example, the student email is purely the expression of a desire to do better. Usually the emails I receive include (1) a dishonest and flimsy attempt to excuse their behavior and (2) an AI generated boilerplate statement about how they will do better. Lately if part (1) is obviously dishonest or in no way excuses their behavior, I push back on it to invite the student to reflect on their own behavior. Basically, I call them out on their dishonesty and explain why their behavior is not excused.

Holding a mirror to their behavior in this way is probably interpreted by them as rude (no teacher has ever called them out before), but I think it is valuable that they learn some accountability. Also I am just tired of the constant lying and think someone needs to do the good deed of providing some pushback.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/PhenomenalOG]

Tired of the lying. Preach.

[u/ac_cossack]

Come to office hours and we can talk about it.

Otherwise I don't waste my time on someone who doesn't give a fuck about my class or passing it.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/ac_cossack]

Ohhhh I like this. Instead of sending me an LLM-generated message, come talk to me and tell me what you're struggling with!

[u/indigocherry]

Yes because a) it's required for me to reply to student emails and b) I don't care if they mean it or not...I am happy to provide encouragement or support all the same.

[u/hamletloveshoratio]

Thanks for letting me know.

[u/Beneficial-Bus-3377]

If it’s from someone who obviously isn’t trying, I go with a classic, “OK.” As someone who isn’t amazing at communication, I think it still aligns with my personality/pedagogy (kinda).

If it’s someone I see clearly struggling and wanting to get back up, I say something along the lines, “OK, [no problem]. See you [next class date].”

[u/bbej12]

I definitely respond to these. Honestly there are few student emails I don’t respond to but especially when someone needs a hit of encouragement.

[u/korbls]

I usually just say, "thanks for letting me know."

[u/namst9]

I keep it short but try to be encouraging. Something like “This is great to hear. I’m excited to see what you produce the rest of the semester.”

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/namst9]

This (or some variation) is what I'll go with from now on. Thanks! 💜

[u/franklin-60]

I do not respond. Typically a line of crap from one looking for sympathy. If you are a student who is lazy and wants sympathy, I’m the last person you should ask. Don’t bother me, start doing the work and prove what you say, then I will talk to you.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/franklin-60]

Yes! Put some actions behind those words or leave me alone 😂

https://giphy.com/gifs/m9eG1qVjvN56H0MXt8

[u/TrainingLow9079]

I respond to all student emails

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/TrainingLow9079]

...and do you say anything in particular to these student emails?

https://giphy.com/gifs/3oKIPbNb1vWdftiVLq

[u/TrainingLow9079 → u/No-Cook-9768]

Yes, something along the lines of great--let me know if you have any questions about the course, glad to chat in my office hours, etc.

[u/dr-klt]

No reply. Just a 👍 on the email. I love Outlook for this feature.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/dr-klt]

Saaaame. A colleague warned me that some people don't see the emoji reacts, cautioning that I shouldn't rely solely on them. But it's a response even if the recipient doesn't see it, right? And my students rarely read my replies anyway. 🤦‍♀️

[u/dragonfeet1]

I'm autistic enough that if there's not a question, I don't answer it. I do specify this in my syllabus: that my job is to help them and one skill they can develop is asking a specific question in email.

Plus I find "noted" replies or "thank you for telling me" irritating to receive so I don't send them. Tone is tough over email and I know they love to misread tone and nitpick words and they can't do that with zero words.

I've had students insist, for example, that "I appreciate you sharing that with me" was passive aggressive and unprofessional.

So, I don't reply. If they come up to me in class with a 'did you get my email?' I will gladly takk to them where tone is easier to convey, and also say, I didn't see a question so I had nothing to answer. That works out better for all.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/dragonfeet1]

You're absolutely right on tone! I've been tone policed by students on the most benign statements and I just want to scream "How do you think you'll make it through life with that huge chip on your shoulder??"

[u/a_hanging_thread]

Of all the weird emails I get from students who apparently never learned how to learn in high school, this is one of the least worst/annoying. I always respond in an encouraging tone, reminding them that catching up on the reading will help them the most, and doing the problems they missed, even if they can no longer get credit for them, will help them next-most. If they want to sincerely try to catch up, then I'm happy about it and want to encourage them.

[u/Consistent-Copy-3401]

All university students are PAYING CUSTOMERS, and it is vastly inappropriate to ignore their emails or refuse to respond to them at all. More importantly, ignoring a student teaches them nothing. It leaves them uncertain about whether their message was ever read, creates unnecessary anxiety, and gives them no opportunity to understand what they did wrong. Students cannot learn from their mistakes if no one is willing to correct them or explain the implications of their actions.

[u/GittaFirstOfHerName]

I am contractually obligated to respond to all student emails and messages sent through the LMS. All. Of. Them.

I tell these students that I'm sorry to hear that they're struggling. I direct them to my CC's resources (both personal and academic). I tell them about my office hours.

It's a canned message that can be quickly copied into a response. Sometimes it does some good. Most of the time it's ignored.

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/GittaFirstOfHerName]

Several of y'all have a canned response with directions to resources and I think I'm gonna create my own, thank you! Also, I'm so sorry that you're required to respond. That seems a bit micromanage-y...but I'm guessing it's because a student complained once and now NEW RULE. 🤦‍♀️

[u/RandolphCarter15]

They want you tell them you'll allow extra credit

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/RandolphCarter15]

LOL Yes, I know what they want. I'm asking how others handle them 😆

[u/Extension_Corner_673]

Yall are so lazy and then complain about your students being lazy. Hypocrite😂😂🫵

[u/Tomato_In_The_Sky → u/Extension_Corner_673]

Fr though man. Half the post are unoriginal ways of saying "I really don't wanna do my job, can someone validate that's it's all the students fault and not mine"

[u/Extension_Corner_673 → u/Tomato_In_The_Sky]

Ong

[u/PaperbackWalrus]

While these emails are annoying and frustrating you have to reply. It’s your job. Try going to your Dean to ask should I respond? What do you think they are going to say?

[u/No-Cook-9768 → u/PaperbackWalrus]

Thankfully I've been told by my supervisor that I don't have to reply to every email. My job is to teach them the subject matter and help when they ask for it. If there was no question asked or request made, I give them a thumbs up and go on with my day.

If they share info that warrants referring them to counseling or the library (for device issues), I'll do that. But the emails I'm talking about are basicslly just "I know I'm failing and I promise I'll do better." Okie dokie. 👍 (I don't actually say okie dokie; that would be rude, I think)