Professors want to help their students

Professors plan office hours and they want students to take advantage.

What are office hours?

They are times when you can meet with your professors and teaching assistants to discuss the material from the course. Office hours might be by arrangement or scheduled, and usually that information is posted on the Syllabus (success link).

 

Remember, you can go to office hours if you are not struggling! It is a great idea to introduce yourself to your professor when you take advantage of office hours. Developing a working relationship with professors is a stepping stone toward preparing for graduate school, professional school or thinking about careers. Just come prepared to engage.

 

If you feel intimidated by office hours consider bringing a classmate with you.  Also use the tips below to prepare. You might feel your questions are “trivial” or a “waste of the professor’s time.”  In most cases, there are other students with the same or similar questions.

Are you having trouble finding your Professor's contact information?  Be sure to check your course details in your Class Schedule Links to an external site., and you may need to look up your professor Links to an external site. if an email is not listed in the course details.

 

Review tips below to prepare for office hours.

• Be prepared to interact and engage in the learning process. Professors may ask questions to learn what you already understand about the material.
• If you miss a class it is not typically appropriate to use office hours to make up class notes. You have the responsibility of catching up and that may mean asking classmates about missed course materials.
• Review your course materials thoroughly and attempt any homework before you go to office hours. If you are unclear about material in the course try to have specific questions ready before meeting.
• Try to seek help before the assignments or exams are due. Waiting until the deadline does not leave much room for help with the material. You may also want to take advantage of studying with peers or creating homework help groups.
• If you have questions about your grades you may want to contact the professor. You might want to use office hours to discuss ways to identify different study methods or ask for additional resources for how study for the course.
• Other students may come for office hours at the same time. If you must wait to meet with the professor you might use that time to study the material.
• Many professors are experts in their fields, so if there is something discussed in class that you would like to learn more about, your professor is a great resource. This could also lead opportunities for research or connections to other areas.