Interacting with Profs

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1. Why don’t you attend office hours?
- I’m afraid to.
- I don’t want to look stupid.
- I don’t have time.
- I’m just not interested.
- I can just email my prof or TA.
Believe it or not, professors and TAs actually want to see you during their office hours. They block off that time to engage with their students so if no one comes, they will just be sitting there waiting. Wouldn’t you like to brighten up their day by showing an interest in the subject matter that they have devoted their life to? Remember, they are human beings at the end of the day and even stopping by to say hi at the beginning of the semester can go a long way.

We have put together some tips for making the most of office hours and USA Today has outlined some of the long term benefits of attending office hours, in case you don't believe us.
Your profs and TAs are there to help you, and therefore no question is a stupid question. That being said, make sure that you have prepared what you want to ask before going to office hours and do your research. If the question was explicitly answered in your textbook or a lecture, it is okay to seek clarification, but just make sure to review what you already know, so that it’s clear that you have been paying attention.

Remember, profs are human beings at the end of the day and even stopping by to say Hi at the beginning of the semester can go a long way.

We have put together some tips for making the most of office hours and USA Today has outlined some of the long term benefits of attending office hours, in case you don't believe us.
Utilizing office hours does not mean that you have to be there every week, but there are many benefits to going to speak with your profs at least once or twice during the semester.

Your profs are busy too, but they keep office hours to help you, so at least stop by at the beginning of the semester and say hello.

We have put together some tips for making the most of office hours if you need some help with where to start.
Even if you are taking a class that doesn’t interest you all that much, going to visit your prof or TA can benefit you in the long run. Just going to say Hi at the beginning of the semester will allow them to get to know you and will come in handy if you ever need a favour such as help on an assignment or an extension. You never know, you might even enjoy chatting with them!
While e-mail is an excellent way to ask a quick simple question, it does not help your professor or TA put a face to your name. By going and saying hello in person they will recognize you in class and will be able to associate your work with you as a person. Additionally, profs are busy people and some questions are too complex and time consuming to answer via e-mail. By going to see them when you have a complex question, you will not only get the answer more quickly, but you will alleviate the need for endless and time consuming back and forths via e-mail.

We have put together some tips for making the most of office hours if you need some help with where to start.
2. What is the most important reason to talk to your prof or TA?
- For an extension on an assignment.
- To seek clarification on course material or an assignment.
- Challenges in your personal life are impacting your performance in the class.
- You need career or course planning advice.
- You need a reference letter.
There are many valid reasons to attend office hours, however it is generally important to build a relationship with someone before you begin asking for favours. Visiting office hours throughout the semester for a variety of different reasons will benefit you in the long run. However if you do need an extension on an assignment, make sure to ask well in advance of the due date, and a simple e-mail might suffice. Professors realize that their students lead busy lives and that occasionally it will be difficult for them to meet deadlines, but asking the day before something is due shows a lack of time management skills.

Tips on how to ask for an extension can be found here .
One of the main reasons students attend office hours is to improve their understanding of course concepts or to clarify the requirements of an upcoming assignment. If this is why you are going to office hours, make sure to prepare your specific questions ahead of time and to review the course materials so can adequately explain what you do and do not understand. This is especially important if you missed a class and need help understanding the material that was covered that day.

If you need some help with where to start when attending office hours we have put together a helpful cheat sheet.
Professors realize that you are human and personal issues can impact your performance in class. By being open and honest with your instructors, you can ensure that both your physical/mental wellness are maintained without impacting your academic success. If you need further advice or assistance visit UBC’s Wellness page and more specifically the Academic Concession page
If you are interested in pursuing a degree or a career in your professor’s field, they will more than likely be flattered if you ask them for course-planning or career advice. They will have a good understanding of what courses are offered in their department and may even help you make connections with other professors or professionals in the field.

However, if you just need general academic advice, visiting your Academic Advisor is more suitable.
If your professor doesn’t know who you are, it will be difficult for them to write you a reference letter. If you are interested in pursuing a career in a specific prof’s field of study, or are intending to attend graduate school, making sure you have a relationship with your professors is important. The better they know you, the more willing and equipped they will be to write you the type of glowing reference letter you deserve. Make sure to attend office hours often to cultivate a relationship with your instructors.

If you need some help with where to start when attending office hours we have put together a helpful cheat sheet.

Also, review this Maclean’s Magazine’s article for helpful tips on getting a professor to write you a letter of reference.
3. When attending office hours it is really important to show off how smart you are.
- Agree
- Disagree
While it is important to be prepared when going to office hours and to show that you have thought about the course material, it is not about trying to look smart. Office hours are a time to ask questions and to seek clarification from an expert in the subject you are studying. Don’t focus on showing them what you know, focus on getting the help you need.
While it is important to be prepared when going to office hours and to show that you have thought about the course material, it is not about trying to look smart. Office hours are a time to ask questions and to seek clarification from an expert in the subject you are studying. Don’t focus on showing them what you know, focus on getting the help you need.

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Your Turn

Visit each of your profs at least once during office hours this semester and let us know how it goes. Was it helpful? Would you do it again? Tell us in the space below.

2 responses to “Interacting with Profs”

Donald Garrison jr September 13, 2018 at 6:48 pm Permalink | Reply

Interacting with your mentors / instructors is a very good way to understand your course and learning materials…… as well as great communication relationship with your instructor
1. Chapman Learning Commons February 13, 2019 at 2:48 pm Permalink | Reply
  
  Totally! Feel free to drop by sometimes and follow us on @ubclearn for more!

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