If you’re like me, you’ve been here. Standing awkwardly outside your professor’s door, notes in hand, heart racing slightly as you rehearse your question for the tenth time. When I first got to Princeton, my professors felt larger than life – giants in their field, accomplished researchers and authors. As an undergraduate, I felt like an ant in comparison. I felt afraid to go to their office hours, because their time felt so much more valuable than mine.
As I’ve continued my academic journey at Princeton, I’ve come to realize that office hours here are one of the most valuable, and often underused, resources for undergraduate students. I’ve compiled a series of tips I’ve found useful to have successful office hours with your professor.
Come prepared. Office hours are your time, and they’re incredibly valuable. Don’t squander them by not being prepared to get the help you need. Meeting with the professor will prove to be awkward and unhelpful for you if you need help, but don’t have something specific in mind. If you simply tell the professor that you’re struggling in their course without pinpointing specific concepts or problems, the professor won’t be able to help you properly.
Come often. The more often you come to a professor’s office hours, the easier it is to build a relationship with them. If you’re writing a paper, come consistently every week as you continue to update your draft and thesis. If you’re preparing for a STEM exam, come early to clarify your questions as you begin to study. Use your office hours proactively, not just reactively – you don’t have to wait until you’re struggling to attend office hours!
Don’t be afraid to admit confusion. It’s okay not to understand something – this is what office hours are for. If everything in this course is easy for you, then you’re not in the right place. We learn by struggling through concepts, and sometimes you’ll need help. There’s no shame in recognizing when you’re having difficulty and seeking help is a far more important skill than mastering any individual concept.
Ask questions! Professors are usually delighted when you show interest in their course, and their own research. They’ve spent years diving into their work, and your curiosity can spark some fantastic conversations that you won’t find in a textbook. Ask them what drew them to their field, how they approach big research questions, or what discoveries they think will shape research in their field for years to come.
Finally, it’s important to have perspective about your office hours. Professors set up this time because they want to talk to students, and they want to help you. Almost all professors are invested in your learning and success. Keep this in mind next time you’re nervous to knock on their door!
–Gabriel Ascoli, Humanities Correspondent
