Office hours are a valuable resource for students and an integral component of their academic experience. It is also essential to the role of educator that faculty members play. Despite this, many students don't take full advantage of them, and many professors don't take the necessary steps to encourage students to drop by. However, just by following a few simple steps, more students can benefit from office hours — and professors may learn a thing or two as well.
Attending a school that has a price tag north of $50,000 is definitely not something to be taken lightly. Coming here means paying for something greater than the average college experience, something more than being just another face in a crowded lecture hall. The total college experience means learning things other than what's outlined in a syllabus. This is something that's almost impossible to do as an anonymous face in a class, which is why it's so important to approach professors early on in one's undergraduate career.
Whether it's for a massive lecture or a seminar class, visiting professors during their office hours is the start of forming a more personal relationship with them. These relationships can be enriching and potentially valuable later on in college. Just imagine having a friend with a doctoral degree who just happens to be around at all (reasonable) times, readily available for help whenever necessary. Sounds like a good resource to have, right?
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are also useful resources. Talking to TAs about some concerns — or just talking in general — can be helpful, especially if one has minor questions or is more comfortable speaking to someone closer to their own age. Dividing time between professors and TAs not only helps to get a variety of opinions, but it also helps to form relationships with two different people, who can both be helpful.
Many well-intentioned professors lament the fact that they sit alone in their offices with no visits from their students, but by taking a few simple steps, professors can better encourage students to drop by during office hours when they have questions, in the process fostering valuable, lasting relationships between Jumbos and faculty members.
First off, there are a few logistical items to address. Knocking on the closed door of a professor's office after overhearing a heated debate on the causes of the Soviet-Afghan war can be a little intimidating, so it is vital that professors simply leave their doors open and try to look friendly when a student walks in. Furthermore, if office hours are before 9:00 a.m. or exclusively offered during a popular class block — say 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays — most students will probably be unable or disinclined to make it to their professor's office hours.
On a more general level, it is essential for faculty members to let students know right away that they are welcome to drop by their offices, even if it's just to chat about an interesting reading or a chart shown in class. Coming to office hours shouldn't simply be a time to complain about a bad grade or to stress out about an upcoming assignment, it should be a chance to for students to get to know professors on a personal and academic level.
Recognizing this, more professors should invite students to meet at Tower Café for coffee or just encourage students to come see them outside of class. And when a shy freshman does pluck up the courage to stop by a professor's office, it's key to make him or her feel welcome. Who knows, a student might be able to help with research for a professor's upcoming book, or at very least, will probably write up a positive evaluation at the end of the semester.
Forming lasting relationships with professors is a vital part of our university education and the professor-student dynamic is the backbone of any educational institution. We are lucky enough to attend an institution with many talented and renowned faculty members, so it's time to take advantage of it.
