Guide to Office Hours
Walking into a new professor’s office is intimidating for almost every student. Here are some common concerns that I hear:
The professor will think I am not a good student if I don’t know everything about the course or its content.
The opposite is true: professors expect students to know very little, especially in their first semester of college and in the first weeks of the semester.
It is so awkward! What will I say?
Most professors are in the profession because they like speaking with students. We are well-prepared to talk with reticent 18-year-olds – in fact, we look forward to it!
I don’t have any questions, why should I attend office hours?
The research shows that your likelihood of success in life (fulfilling career, happy relationships, good health) more than doubles if you have a relationship with a professor in college. Attending office hours is essential to building that relationship. In terms of bang for your buck, it is the easiest thing you can do to ensure your success.
If that doesn’t convince you, the reality is that it is much easier to get help when you do have a question if you already are over the initial meet-and-greet. If your professors know you they will be more willing to help you and the help will be more effective. Waiting until you are in crisis in a class is a bad idea.
Professors are your quickest route to employment. They write you letters of recommendation. If they know your interests and hear about a job opportunity, they will tell you about it. They usually know hundreds (or thousands) of alumni, many of whom work in the industry you are interested in.
Tips for an easy visit to office hours:
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Bring a friend! This makes the visit less formal and takes the pressure off. My office hours are usually communal, with upwards of six to ten students hanging out at the same time.
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Prepare. Read the professor’s biography on the university website. This takes exactly thirty seconds and will give you some material to work with should the discussion get quiet.
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Introduce yourself. Share a few details about your interests, not just where you are from and what you are majoring in. Do you like food? We can talk about local restaurants. Art? I will suggest the closest museum to visit. Movies? We can talk about what we last watched.
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Some great starter questions:
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What is the best way to prepare for your class?
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What have students who have been successful in your class in the past done differently?
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I am interested in [insert topic you will cover in the class]. Where can I learn more?
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Why did you decide to become a professor?
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What interested you in [insert discipline - math, law, accounting, history, etc.]
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Some more fun questions:
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What is the best place to get pizza near campus?
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What is your favorite coffee shop?
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Do you ever attend [insert popular sport on campus] games?
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What did you watch on Netflix over the summer?
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Did you travel this summer?
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Final Thoughts
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Your visit does not need to be lengthy. Stay a few minutes and then excuse yourself. Thank the professor for their time.
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Not every visit to office hours will be fun. Everyone “clicks” with different professors. That is why you should visit every professor once in the first two weeks of the semester. Then you can go back as often as you like to visit with those with whom you connect.
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Every once in a while you will find a professor who is more interested in their research than in teaching. This should be rare, but do not take it personally if your professor does not take interest or invest time in you. Getting tenure at a university is stressful. More professors are waiting to meet you.