If you're a college student, some of your professors may hold regular office hours for students. In this article, we'll share tips on how to prepare for office hours in college and make the most of your time with your educators!

What are college office hours?

Office hours are designated time slots for professors to meet with their students outside of class. Office hours can be held in-person or virtually, and may require advance sign up to secure your time (especially if you attend a bigger college). During office hours, you can chat with your professor about assignments, projects, exams, or any other concerns. This is valuable face time with your professors!

Reasons to attend office hours

Here are some reasons students may attend office hours:

Check in with your professor when you've been out sick or have a planned absence

In college, you are responsible for any information and assignments you missed during an absence. Visiting office hours can be a great way to catch up on any important information you may have missed. If your professor grades student participation in each class, try and work with them to learn if you can make up those points another way, like through an extra credit assignment. This will show them that you are being proactive about your absence, and they may be more willing to accommodate your situation.

Let your professor know when something is affecting your ability to learn

Attending office hours can be a great way to keep your professor in the loop of any issues that are impacting your ability to fully participate in the class. This could range from seeking learning accommodations to asking for more elaboration on a concept that was covered too quickly. College requires a lot of self-advocacy, especially when it comes to your academics. Telling your professor what you need and where you're struggling is a great way to receive help while building foundational skills that will benefit you in college and for the rest of your life. 

Get to know your professor

Building a relationship with your professor will be beneficial to you in the long run. It will allow you to feel more comfortable addressing course concerns, gain a deeper understanding of the class material, and allow a professor to get to know you as a student. This will be helpful if you ever need an academic reference for a scholarship, graduate school, or a job!

How to prepare for office hours in college

Here are some tips to prepare for office hours.

Check your syllabus

In your syllabus, your professor may have provided details about their office hours schedule. Look there or email them for more information before attending office hours. 

Have questions and talking points prepared

Make a list of things you'd like to discuss ahead of time. This can include things like a grade you received recently, an assigned reading or piece of homework you’re struggling with, or a concept you’re learning that you could use more clarity on.

Take notes and follow up with any action items

Be sure to take notes during office hours so you can follow up about any relevant action items later. You may also consider sending your professor a follow-up email to thank them for their time and document your next steps based on your meeting. 

Don’t wait until finals week!

Attending office hours throughout the term (rather than just during finals week) can give you consistent support and guidance necessary to succeed academically. Visiting office hours early and often can allow you to have more meaningful discussions about the course material while building a strong connection with your professor. 

Have any questions about office hours? Text #College to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!