Whether you’re struggling in a class or looking for opportunities and connections that might launch your career, building relationships with your instructors is key. It can be intimidating reaching out, so your CLAS advisors are addressing some myths that might make faculty drop-in hours seem scary. We’ll bust those, and give you some tips as you plan your visit.
Myth #1: Drop-in hours are only for specific types of students.
Many students assume drop-ins aren’t designed for students like them, but they are beneficial for everyone. Whether you are struggling or excelling in a class, meeting with your instructors is a great way to show them that you care about learning and want to be a partner in your education. Instructors don’t expect you to understand the subjects they have been studying for years right away—they want to see you progress from wherever you started.
Students who use professor and TA drop-in hours report being more successful in their classes. When asked about office hours, one instructor from the Department of Communication Studies told us, "I always tell students that office hours are the secret cheat code to college success. It’s where we can have real conversations, dig into their ideas, and figure out ways to tackle challenges together. Plus, it’s just a great way to connect!"
Cultivating those connections with faculty members can even lead to research and internship opportunities, letters of recommendation for graduate school, career advice, and job references.
Myth #2: Instructors are busy and don’t want to meet with me.
Faculty and TAs often tell advisors that they wish more students would use drop-in hours and that these one-on-one conversations are the most meaningful moments in their jobs.
A biology professor told us that he enjoys and benefits from these interactions as much as his students, “Drop-in hours are not only very useful for students to clarify more challenging concepts but also a great way for me to get to know the students in my class better. They also make me a better teacher -- I have learned a lot from the questions my students ask me during drop-in hours.”
Remember, your instructors chose a career in which they get to share their passion with others. You are their audience and their collaborators!
Myth #3: It’s too hard to fit drop-ins into my schedule.
All instructors list specific drop-in (or “office hour”) times on their syllabus. These are times when they will typically be available if you stop by, even without an appointment. But what if you have another class or work at that time?
Instructors are also available to meet “by appointment” and are happy to schedule another time that works for both of you. In a large lecture class with discussion sections, you can also meet with your TA, who you might already know better. Keep in mind that the main instructor designed the course and is also available to help if needed.
So, you’re ready to walk down the hall and knock on your instructor’s door or click send on an e-mail to make an appointment. . . what should you do next?
Review your syllabus. The syllabus will have locations and times for instructor and TA drop-ins as well as contact information. It might also discuss what can be covered in your one-on-one meeting. No need to ask questions that are answered by reading the syllabus.
Don’t wait! Meet early in the semester or when you first have questions, not after you’ve dug a hole. Getting input from your instructor early in the semester will give you time to apply their feedback and improve your academic performance. If you get help with something small early on, you will feel more comfortable going back if something is difficult later. It will also help you build a relationship with an instructor if they see you more than once during the semester.
Think in advance about your questions or topic and come prepared for the meeting:
Here are some ideas to get you started:
How best to prepare for an exam
Brainstorming or getting revision ideas for a paper
Specific questions about lecture content (something you didn’t understand or something you want to know more about)
Your interests within the context of their course or major department
Learn about your instructor’s interests in advance.
You’ll ask better questions if you know a little about the person you are talking to. Beyond your class and syllabus, you can find more information on the department website about your instructor’s area of interest. Instructors are excited about their subjects, so this is a great way to break the ice!
Ask how you can improve, not how you can get a certain grade.
Instructors want you to learn the material in their course, so focus more on your learning than on the grade. After you’ve reviewed your performance on a project or exam, go to the professor not to ask for a better grade but for additional clarification or revision ideas. Where are you having problems understanding the material? How can you push your work to the next level? This will help you to learn and improve your performance in this class and the next one.
Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to your instructor, but if you’re still feeling nervous about preparing for a meeting, your advisor is happy to brainstorm with you in advance.