“Can I use text-message slang when I contact my teacher?” In a chat or text message, abbreviations such as u for you are conventional usage, but using such shortcuts when communicating with an instructor can be a serious mistake. At least some of your instructors are likely to view these informal shortcuts as disrespectful, unprofessional, or simply sloppy writing. Unless your instructor has invited you to use text-message lingo, keep to the conventions of standard English for your college writing—even in email.