Why use office hours?
- Clarification: If you are unsure about directions for an assignment, or something that was said in class, or about anything else for your course, use office hours to talk with your instructor.
- Questions: Sometimes you might have a question, or several, that did not get answered in class. Or maybe questions will come up while you are reading or completing homework. Use office hours to ask!
- Interest: Perhaps your instructor is doing exactly what you want to do someday. You can use office hours to learn about their career.
- Mentorship: Take office hour time to develop relationships with the people you might later ask to write a letter of recommendation. When you visit office hours, you get to practice professionalism, relationship building, and communication!
- Opportunity: Connect with your instructors during office hours to learn about opportunities for research, employment, conferences, and more.
Communication Strategies with Instructors
Prepare before you go
Write your questions down beforehand, and have them available when you meet with your instructor. If you want to talk about a test, paper, or reading, have the information ready for you and your instructor to reference.
Be active in the conversation.
First, say hello and introduce yourself. If your instructor teaches several courses, indicate which course you are taking. Then, begin the conversation. You might say: I'd like to ask you about ... or would you mind working through this problem together?
If you do not understand, ask more questions!
Seeking clarification demonstrates that you want to learn. Be sure you have answers before you leave.
Take a friend.
It can feel less intimidating to go with someone else from your class. Plan to meet together beforehand and decide what questions you will ask your instructor.
Make an exit plan.
Before you visit office hours, decide what information you need to acquire at the meeting. If there is a certain time you need to leave by, consider telling your instructor when you start. Knowing your exit cues ahead of time can help you to transition smoothly into saying thank you for meeting with me.
Make visits a habit.
This is your time, and visiting office hours shows your investment in learning. Your instructors are incredible resources and can help with your classes. So plan to use office hours regularly.
Tip: If you are successfully navigating course material, consider using office hours to ask about the research your instructor is doing, or to engage in an informational interview to learn more about your instructor's career. You could also ask about conferences, workshops, or other professional opportunities.
Frequent Questions
Q: Should I go even if I do not have any questions about the course?
A: Yes! If you haven't introduced yourself yet, then go and do that. Ask your instructor what strategies they believe will help students succeed in the course. Share how you are preparing for the course and how you are studying the material, and ask for additional suggestions. Meet with your instructor as soon as you can, so that talking with them and asking questions becomes a habit.
Q: Will my instructor think I'm dumb for asking questions?
A: No! When you have questions and visit your instructor, you show that you're invested in learning. It's easy to say you'll figure it out on your own. It's much harder to reach out and ask for help, because it can be intimidating. But remember: your instructors also experienced this process of being a student and visiting their instructors during office hours. They understand, and they're there to meet with you!
Email Communication
Know what your goal is in specific terms.
Examples; review a grading question, ask for help on a paper, etc.
Be as specific as possible and have examples in mind.
Example; In your last lecture you covered (topic). I want to better understand the topic and would like to review that part of the lecture.
Reference relevant materials to show you have done your homework.
Example: book, notes, tests.
Use "I" messages.
Example; "I would like some help on following the lectures on (topic). Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve reviewing the material?" Rather than "You talk too fast, or you didn’t ..." Using ‘I’ statements helps promote a productive, problem-solving approach.
Email Greeting
• Include a greeting like “Hello,” or “Dear”
• If you are not sure how to address your instructor, use their title (better to be overly formal than informal)
• You can also ask your instructor how they would like you to refer to them
Subject Line
• Include your course and section number
• Include a specific topic that matches the content of the message
Message
• Use complete words and sentences throughout your message
• Be polite and concise; only include needed information
• If you have multiple questions, group them in a bulleted list
Signature
• Include a polite farewell like “Sincerely,” or “Regards”
• Include your first and last name
• You might include your major