How to keep your TA happy

It's not really that hard. After a few years of this gig, I thought it would be a good idea to list a few things that will keep your TA happy.

1. Put your name on the homework. I prefer it being on every page since it does make my life a little easier, but I would be satisfied with the name on at least one of the pages. Even in grad school, students will still forget to put it on their homework.
2. Don't cheat. I really can't say how annoying it is to be grading homework and notice that answers on two, or more, homework are the exact same. I, and other TAs, will turn you in to the professor. In the end, it will only hurt you when exam time comes.
3. Ask questions more than a few hours before the homework/exam. Most TAs do not hang around the school waiting breathlessly for students to ask questions. Some of us even have full time jobs along with our own school deadlines. I know that I am more than happy to help to students, but usually have to meet them close to where I work or at night on campus. Even answering email questions usually have to wait till I get home since I don't have my notes with me.
4. Round your answers correctly. If you are going to round your answers, at least do them correctly. It is very annoying when someone will take a number like 3.98888 and change it to 3. I take off a point when someone does this.
5. Show your work. If you want partial credit, you have to help me out a bit by showing your work so I can figure out what you were trying to do. Just putting 3 for the question only works if 3 is the right answer.
6. Asking for partial credit? If you are going to ask for partial credit, check to see if you already got some for the question. I have had more than a few students demand partial credit for a totally wrong answer even though I had already given them some.
7. Asking for an extension? After the homework has been due is not the time to ask for an extension. I can understand when you are sick or there has been a family emergency. When the excuse is that you have work and are taking more than one class, I don't have much sympathy. Most grad students have the same type of schedule and still manage to meet their deadlines. I also still have to get the professor's permission to accept it late so don't ask me to not tell him.