Utilizing Office Hours (Veteran Voices)
Utilizing Office Hours (Veteran Voices)
Transcript
Office hours for me was something that was just incredibly intimidating. Because to me I always saw my professors initially as a commander as like a superior and it was really hard to get out of that mindset. Finally I was comfortable enough with one of my professors and I went to office hours. I was thinking it was gonna be like you know in the military they have, commanders have open door policies which very rarely are what they say they are. I was fully ready to be turned away or like looked at weird. I actually had a really deep and engaging conversation with my professor and I learned much more about the material, active learning. From that moment on I was committed to going to office hours. It really, really deepened my education. I wish I would have done more of it. It is very intimidating but it was probably one of the most helpful tools that the professor offered. - Office hours are definitely a resource that every professor wants you to use. Nobody at any four year college wants their student to fail.
The professors are, it's not the same as a high school teacher. High school teachers can be mentors but often times, I went to public school, they have 40 students in a classroom. This is like multiple periods throughout the day. Here in a four year institution, you can have a little bit more one on one time with your educators. They want to see you in there if you have any question at all, they are more than happy to answer it. It's not just the responsibility of the student to do well and do your homework and turn things in on time. It's not just the responsibility of the professor to teach you and do a good job teaching you. It's like the responsibility of everyone involved I think, to get together when there's some sort of sticking point and iron out the wrinkles. I think that's what office hours are for.
Any question at all, you should never be too shy or too proud. Even in class during lecture, if you have a question raise your hand and ask. Because you only get that one fleeting moment before you forget what it was that confused you. If you ever are sitting in a lecture and you're wondering what did the professor mean by that. Write it down and then go to their office hours and ask. It's the only way you'll ever find out.
The professors are, it's not the same as a high school teacher. High school teachers can be mentors but often times, I went to public school, they have 40 students in a classroom. This is like multiple periods throughout the day. Here in a four year institution, you can have a little bit more one on one time with your educators. They want to see you in there if you have any question at all, they are more than happy to answer it. It's not just the responsibility of the student to do well and do your homework and turn things in on time. It's not just the responsibility of the professor to teach you and do a good job teaching you. It's like the responsibility of everyone involved I think, to get together when there's some sort of sticking point and iron out the wrinkles. I think that's what office hours are for.
Any question at all, you should never be too shy or too proud. Even in class during lecture, if you have a question raise your hand and ask. Because you only get that one fleeting moment before you forget what it was that confused you. If you ever are sitting in a lecture and you're wondering what did the professor mean by that. Write it down and then go to their office hours and ask. It's the only way you'll ever find out.