Using your professor’s office hours can be beneficial in several ways! Don’t procrastinate to see your professor in the days leading up to an exam, because it will be you and the other 30 students in class lining up at their door just to get a whole five minutes of help so they can get to everybody. But if you’re proactive with attending office hours all semester, then it’s likely you won’t be as stressed out when those deadlines approach and fighting for a spot in office hours. Still need more convincing? Read on for six reasons why you should attend your professor’s office hours early and often.
Clarifying Concepts
Raising your hand in class to clarify a topic can be stressful for many students. I have personally left classrooms confused several times because I didn’t want to ask a “dumb” question in front of my peers. Office hours give you a more personalized opportunity to ask questions and get in-depth explanations. One-on-one time can narrow down what it is you don’t understand.
Building a Relationship
Getting to know your professor can help create an understanding of what is going on in your life outside of the classroom. It can help build support with your professor, which may be useful if you need recommendations, guidance or assistance beyond the classroom.
Networking
Professors can be great resources for career advice, research opportunities and networking. They have been around the block several times and most likely know many people in their field with whom they can connect you. Office hours can be an informal setting to ask about professional paths, internships or graduate programs.
Improving Grades
If your professors see that you are engaging outside of class, then they are more likely to help you improve your grade. They can offer material to focus on or give tips on studying more effectively. When you have more brainstorming sessions with your professor, assignments feel more manageable.
Addressing Academic Challenges
Everyone learns differently, and if you’re struggling with finding the right way for yourself, then a conversation with your professor can help steer you in the right direction. They can’t change their teaching styles if they don’t know what works for students and doesn’t!
Feedback on Your Progress
You can ask for feedback on how you’re doing in the class, what you might need to work on and how to approach upcoming assignments or exams to minimize the end-of-semester fatigue. There have been times I had no idea how I was doing in a class, so touching base with my professor to show that I care has always been helpful. It is also nice to check in on our grades throughout the semester instead of scrambling to get them up during the last few weeks.
Written By Emily Rutkowski G’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications