To make up for the missed hours on Monday due to Columbus Day, I’ll be holding office hours on Wednesday, October 14 from 1-2 pm and 3:30-4:45 pm. Stop by to troubleshoot any issues you might be having with the eportfolio system, receive feedback on your posts for the class, or give me some suggestions about educational technology/digital tools information or tools that you’d like to see. And of course, I’d love to talk to any of you about Camera Lucida!
Yes, you should attend office hours! Ask any of your instructors and they will tell you that several weeks will pass without students showing up for office hours. Often times, students don’t use office hours because they aren’t sure what they are for or how to use the time. Other time students think that if they don’t have a specific assignment or issue to discuss, then there’s no reason to attend.
There are lots of reasons to attend office hours, first being it’s one of the easiest ways to get feedback and improve your work in a class. Did you have trouble understanding some of the reading or need some extra help processing the previous class discussion? Go and get some help – that’s why office hours exist! In my experience, one 15 minute meeting tends to produce better solutions and more helpful feedback than a bunch of emails sent over a few days. While it may be easier to send an email asking your professor to look over a paper, you will most likely receive productive feedback with an in-person meeting. Because you and your professor (or ITF, or T.A., or lecturer, etc.) can look over your work together, you’re more likely to work together to find solutions and any tips that can seem unclear via email (“Introduction is too vague, be sure to preview main points for reader”) can be better explained in person.
A second reason to attend office hours is to establish a better working relationship with your instructors. If you’ve been having some difficulties at home that have been affecting your work, then a quick meeting with your professor may result in some helpful accommodations or a referral to a campus resource. Even if you’re not having any difficulties, stop by office hours to introduce yourself and discuss your interest in the class or to go over a reading that you liked. A better working relationship with your instructor(s) will definitely increase your engagement with the class and that’s the first step to improving. It’s also a great way to find mentors, get extra help within a department, or even find someone whom you may ask to serve as reference or write a recommendation letter for you. Going to office hours isn’t exactly like networking but it’s good practice because that’s how most people get jobs these days.
For more reasons to attend office hours, the Newman Advising Center at the University of Michigan has put together this great page: “Top 5 Reasons to Use Office Hours & Tips For Using The Time Effectively.”
