Top of the office hour

Office hours. The two words every seminar tutor mentions at the beginning of term, that every student mutters under their breath during essay planning, and the one resource that never seems to get used to its fullest potential. But why?

One reason students hesitate to book office hours is that it feels like a sign of weakness. Most students here have been academic overachievers for most of their lives, only to arrive at university, where it’s a completely different ball game.

The first point of action is to narrow your focus; which topic or topics are causing your confusion? Is there a problem sheet or an essay plan that you can’t crack?

Suddenly, the content is more difficult, the workload is larger, and burnout is around the corner. You know you need help, but asking for it feels like admitting you’re a failure. But here’s the thing: using your office hours isn’t failing; it’s refusing to fail. To fail would be to make a final judgment about yourself and your intellect so early into your academic career. To fail would be to accept the unsatisfying grades you’ve been given. These academic support systems exist because universities know that enough of us need them, so we must take advantage of them.

“But my seminar tutor knows so much, what if I look stupid in front of them?” worries the first year. My answer: Yes, you might look a bit clueless! You’re a first-year student, and your tutor probably has a PhD or is working on one. But so what? Isn’t that the point of university? To not know and to learn? If you spend all your time worrying about what you look like, you’ll never get over yourself enough to actually learn. None of your tutors expects you to be Einstein; they probably weren’t at your age either. It takes time and help to get there so take the help that’s available to you and show how much you want to learn. It could be the best thing you do for yourself.

If your struggle isn’t with content but with exam technique, bring an assignment you’ve received feedback on and go through it with them

So you’ve booked your office hour… what now? The first point of action is to narrow your focus; which topic or topics are causing your confusion? Is there a problem sheet or an essay plan that you can’t crack? Bring it with you so that you can work through it. However, if your struggle isn’t with content but with exam technique, bring an assignment you’ve received feedback on and go through it with them. Ask them to break down their feedback, especially if there are parts you don’t understand or agree with. Ask them how they would recommend you revise for this particular module. Your tutor can’t do the work for you, but they can break down difficult tasks to make them easier for you to approach.

Office hours, when used effectively, are a gold mine of untapped academic potential. You have the unique opportunity to learn from experts, none of whom are secretly judging you for being a normal student, and that is exactly what you are being by needing help; a normal student. You’re not a failure or an anomaly; you’re one of thousands who are struggling to adjust.