Polite Reminders for Teachers: How to Follow Up on Grade Updates

As a student, it can be frustrating when a teacher promises to update your grade and fails to do so. However, approaching the situation with politeness and professionalism can increase the chances of a positive outcome. This guide will provide you with a polite way to remind your teacher of their commitment and ensure your grade is updated as promised.

Polite Email Template for Grade Updates

Here is a suggested email you could send if a teacher mentioned they would update your grade but didn’t:

In our meeting on [DATE], you mentioned that you would be updating my grade for the [ASSIGNMENT/CLASS] by [DEADLINE]. However, I noticed that my grade has not been updated as of today [CURRENT DATE]. I wanted to gently remind you of this and ask if you could please take a look and update my grade as soon as you are able. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Thank you for your time.

Sample Emails to Your Professor

Here are a couple of sample emails you could use to remind your professor:

First Email

Dear Professor,

On [DATE] we had a conversation during which you suggested that you were going to update my grade. As of this date my grade has not been changed. Please advise. Thank you.

Be polite of course.

“I just wanted to check in to see if you've gotten around to updating my grade as you'd told me you would. I was checking it the other day and no change had been entered yet.”

Somethint like that. Don't say, "You forgot!" Don't get all in a snit. Just something like what I wrote adapted to suit your own wording.

Second Email

I always appreciate a polite reminder. I have over a hundred students spread over multiple schools and the absolute hardest thing for me to keep track of is this kind of one-time, outside-of-the-normal-flow-of-work request. So first I would allow at least a week for the grade to be updated, then I would follow up with an email along the lines of:

A week ago, we talked about updating my grade for assignment [X]. I was checking the grade book today, and I noticed that it still has the old grade so I just wanted to send out a quick reminder. Be sure to mention the context, like the name of the previous assignment, so it's clear what we were discussing.

Remember to stay professional and polite. A simple and straightforward reminder is usually the most effective approach.

Key Tips for a Successful Reminder

1. Be Specific: Mention the exact date and the assignment when you confirmed the grade update. This helps the teacher recollect the conversation more easily.

2. Setting a Deadline: Give your teacher a reasonable amount of time to process the request. A week is generally a good timeframe, as it allows for any unexpected delays.

3. Stay Professional: Avoid accusatory language or emotions. A polite and professional tone is more likely to elicit a favorable response.

4. Follow-Up: If no response is received within the specified time frame, follow up with a similar, but more persistent, message.

Conclusion

Following these guidelines and using the sample emails provided can help you politely and effectively remind your teacher to update your grade. A well-crafted reminder shows your professionalism and respect for the teacher's time, increasing the likelihood of a prompt grade update.

Remember, maintaining a positive relationship with your teacher is valuable for your academic success. Using clear, polite communication can help you achieve your goals and keep your teacher informed of your progress.