Office Hour Tips: Staying Involved On-Campus

Whether you’re a freshman just learning the ropes and taking mainly general education requirements, or a senior finishing up your degree, it’s never too early to start attending your professor’s office hours.

While the idea of one-on-one time with the person dishing out grades can be intimidating, remembering a few simple office hour tips can help your experience, improve your college life and ultimately—your grade.

• Start the semester strong. Even if your first assignment is not due for another two weeks, utilizes the time your professor has set aside for you. Show them the rough draft or even brainstorming stages of your essay assignment to see if you’re on the right track.

• Come with a clear purpose. While your professor will be happy to see that you have made the effort of attending office hours, it’s awkward on everyone if you show up and just start twiddling your thumbs. Show that you’re respectful of their time as well as your own by having a clear goal for your session.

• Email before and after. While not required, professors appreciate the heads-up that you’re coming. This way, if something comes up, and they have to step out of the office, they will be sure to let you know. Also, if you indicate what you’re coming to discuss, they can pull your paper out or review the assignment for which you need additional clarification. That being said, if you email them and don’t show up, it reflects negatively on you as a student, so set several phone alarms.

• Try to arrive toward the beginning of office hours. If you come with ten minutes to spare, the professor might feel tempted to stay later with you, making them feel a bit annoyed and possibly late for their next meeting or class.

By attending office hours, you’re not only taking advantage of valuable information from your professor, but you’re also showing them that you’re dedicated to the class and to your education. This strong first impression will set you apart from your peers. Don’t be surprised if, as you become more committed to your schoolwork—your grades improve, too.

What are some of your tips for meeting the professor during office hours? What was your experience like the first time you participated in office hours? Let us know about them in the comment section below.