Instructors: Encourage students to attend office hours
We recently asked students, “What have you gained from going to office hours?” Their responses included:
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better connections with faculty and TAs,
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clarity on course expectations,
- and research opportunities!
But one response really stuck out to us. Sebastian, a fourth-year Communications major, said,
“As a first-generation college student and the oldest sibling, we are kind-of expected to know everything in our family household. So it’s kind of weird being in a position where we don’t know everything, and we have to be vulnerable and ask questions. By going to office hours, I definitely gained the skill of being more confident in myself and being vulnerable and asking questions.”
Common Misconceptions About Office Hours
Our interviews also uncovered some common misconceptions students have about office hours, which we organized into the matrix below, including links to resources you can use as you support students.
| Misconceptions | what you can do |
|---|---|
| Students don’t know what office hours are for. | Be clear about what office hours are, and use our sample Office Hours slides to give students ideas about what to discuss with you. |
| Students think they are bothering their TAs or professors if they go to office hours. | Emphasize that this is time that you have set aside to help them and get to know them. Make your office space welcoming or choose a student-centered space to hold office hours (see list below). |
| If they don’t have specific questions, they don’t have a reason to go to office hours. | Offer to discuss their career path, interests, hobbies, jobs, as well as your own research, career path, hobbies, and professional network during office hours. |
| Students might think that their question is “stupid” and feel self-conscious about not understanding a basic concept. | Be receptive to students' questions and help them build their problem-solving skills (see resources below). It may help to be open about your own academic struggles so that students know they are not alone and can develop better skills with practice. |
| Students might feel anxious or intimidated about going to office hours | Consider holding office hours in a different setting (see list below) or sharing small details about yourself to help students connect with you (see the sample slides above). For grade disputes, try using this Google Form Conversation guide (please copy it to your own drive). |
Important Office Hours Resources for Instructors
- Sample slides to show students what to talk about during office hours (copy to your Google Drive)
- How to Schedule Office Hours Appointments in Canvas (short video from Texas A&M)
- How to get students the help they need, especially when that need goes beyond your purview as an instructor or TA.
- How to help students identify where they are stuck and frame their questions (see student resources below too).
- Allyship Identifiers - One way to help students from underrepresented groups feel welcome during office hours is to use allyship or identity markers. These can be things like pride flag stickers hung next to an office door, etc. ONDAS has a limited number of stickers showing support for the first gen community available. In a similar vein, you might consider having office decor that features music or movies that you enjoy or your pets. This can helps students find ways to connect with you.
- Conversation Guide for Grade Disputes (copy this Google Form to your Google Drive and give the link to students who want to talk about their grades. This form asks for specific information that you can investigate before meeting with the student.)
- Teaching Guide for Grading and Rubrics
Locations where TAs and/or faculty can hold office hours
Library 1584
To reserve: email the Transfer Student Center or call (805) 893-7799
Can use offices or the conference room.
Kerr Hall 1150
To reserve: email the ONDAS Student Center or call (805) 893-7799
Good large group space, plenty of white boards.
Can accommodate up to 4 people. Only available after hours. TAs only.
When you reserve a room, you will receive instructions about how to get keys, etc. Must be reserved well in advance.
Several conference rooms available. Look at calendars to check availability.
UCEN, cafés, and outdoor spaces
First come, first-served basis.
Students - Office Hours are for You!
Your instructors really want to help you succeed and they want to get to know you. They are interested in your aspirations, your commitments, your struggles, and your strengths. All UCSB instructors have a few hours set aside each week to invite students to come talk to them. These are called “Office Hours” and they are open to all students. If you can’t attend the scheduled office hours, you can contact your instructor to ask for a meeting at another time - either in person or via video call.
Many new students think that attending office hours is important only if you are struggling in the course, but getting to know your instructors, and letting them get to know you can have many positive outcomes like:
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Getting offered student jobs, research opportunities, and letters of recommendation
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Finding funding for your own projects
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Expanding your ideas for career opportunities
