Your instructors are happy to meet with you! Just be sure you're doing your part to ensure a productive conversation.
Office hours are a great opportunity to enhance your college experience. You have the chance to deepen your learning, clarify any confusion about the material, and get to know one of your program’s best resources: its teachers. Office hours are a set time frame for professors to meet with students outside of class, usually on a one-on-one basis. It may be intimidating at first, but you will gain valuable insight that you won’t get from lectures alone.
College professors, like you, have a lot on their plates. They are busy academics, doing their own research while teaching dozens—perhaps hundreds—of students. Every professor should be happy to talk to you, but to make the most of the conversation, do your part through preparation and proper etiquette.
Sometimes your issues require a bit more time and privacy than office hours permit. Don’t be shy about sending your prof an email with a brief explanation of your circumstances and requesting an appointment. The professor will appreciate the courtesy of an arranged time, and other students who want their questions answered during busy office hours will also have the chance to meet with the professor.
Even if your course is required, finding a way to be interested in the material can help you study and deepen your understanding. If your professor is teaching the subject, chances are they’re probably an expert in the area. Your conversation will go more smoothly if you engage with him or her from a perspective of interest in the material and not simply one of wanting tips to ace the final exam.
Student life is often very casual. But meeting with a professor is a lot like a recruitment table at a career fair. It’s not super serious, but you’ll want to make a positive first impression. One day, you may ask this professor for a letter of recommendation or a spot on his or her research team. Just try to use common sense before you meet your professor. Don’t head to office hours straight from the gym. Be sure to turn off your phone! And remember to bring your notes or the book you’d like to reference during our discussion.
Like being prepped with knowledge of the material, basic manners go a long way toward having a successful meeting.
Consider pairing up with a colleague or study buddy if you share concerns about the coursework. Engaging in a joint conversation with the professor can make you both feel at ease and can help facilitate in-depth discussion. Also, you’re bound to have an “aha!” moment at a different time than your friend. You can help each other work through the material, and your friend’s queries may help you see the coursework in a different way. If your professor requires appointments, just make sure it’s okay with them that you all meet together.
Your class notes and personal study guides can help you remember difficulties you had. They may also give the professor some insight into your problems with the material. Although you don’t necessarily have to pull out the notes during your conversation, having them handy can make you feel at ease if you are unable to describe the issues you have with the coursework.
You may get flustered the first time you meet with your professor. That’s fine! Perhaps you feel foggy on the material despite your best efforts at comprehension. While it may sound like a cliche, it’s true that there are no stupid questions. Questions might even help your professor to understand points they need to clarify for the rest of the class. Also, your professor would rather answer your questions now and not after you’ve done poorly on an exam and aren’t sure why. To make it easier on yourself, jot down some questions before the meeting, and be sure they’re not questions that can be answered by the syllabus.
You risk making a poor impression if you expect your professor to rehash some of the same points they’ve already made in class. You can ask questions about the material, but don’t expect him or her to fill you in on what you missed while you were out (or daydreaming). Show that you have been working on the course by doing the required readings ahead of time. Your professor is better able to talk you through any points of confusion if he or she knows what you’ve read, and may make reference to class lectures or materials while explaining points or concepts.
There is probably a lengthy list of additional resources on your course syllabus. During a meeting with your professor, ask for some advice as to what books or online materials are the most appropriate given your interests and spots of difficulty. This will give you insight into why the professor chose the readings on your list and how you can best approach them to succeed as a student.
Your professor will expect you to lead the conversation. You may have heard that you should talk to your professor at least once during the term, but don’t show up at his or her office just to introduce yourself. Have a specific agenda related to the coursework, the professor’s research interests or your life circumstances as they relate to your ability to complete the course requirements. There’s nothing wrong with trying to develop a professional relationship with your professor; just offer a solid grounding on which to do so.
Courtesy is a simple but effective way to show respect for your professor. Of course, all teachers are generally required to hold office hours, but the time and energy devoted to students can distract from their other priorities. Like all people, professors want appreciation for the work they do. Just saying “thank you” at the end of the conversation can not only conclude the meeting on a positive note, but also make your next encounter with your professor a friendly one!
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