1.  Office hours are arguably the most underused tool available to students.  This is your chance to get to know the professor a bit better (and to let the professor get to know you – very important if you’re later going to ask for letters of recommendation), to ask questions you’re too shy to ask in class, and to get help with assignments and exam preparation.  It’s a good idea to round up some initial questions and queries (about the syllabus, about recommended ways to study, about “tips” for success in the course) and make a visit to cover those during the first week or so of classes.  This will help the professor get to know you early, and can also help you feel more comfortable with her in case you wind up needing more serious help later in the semester.  Don’t use office hours to kiss up to the professor; do use them to your advantage.

2. Although professors are always supposed to be available during office hours, other important events (faculty meetings, laboratory crises, or lunch with the Dean) may sometimes come up.  It’s not required, but it’s seldom a bad idea to double check that the professor is going to be available (and that way she’ll be expecting you).

3. Before you go, be sure you know what you want to cover.  A written agenda isn’t required, but if you have a number of things to discuss, a list (preferably not written on your hand in pink gel marker) will help.

4. When you arrive, knock or otherwise politely announce your presence.  Greet the professor, stating your name and the course (and section, if appropriate) you’re in.  Then tell the professor why you’re there.  “Hi, I’m Joanie from your Tuesday morning Women’s Lit class; I have a question about next week’s exam” is good.  The following script, one I run into virtually every semester, is bad: professor – “Hi, can I help you?”  student – “Yeah, I’m in your class and want to know what’s on the test.”  professor  – “Which class?”  student – “Your Biology class.” professor – “Which Biology class?”  student – “The one that’s on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”  professor – “Which one that’s on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday?”  You get the picture (and it’s not a pretty one).

5. You do not need to apologize for being there (assuming you’re visiting during regularly-scheduled office hours).  You should, however, be sure to thank the professor for her time when you’re done.

6. If you are using office hours to discuss a poor exam grade, do not begin the conversation by explaining that you always perform well on other teachers’ tests and never perform well on this teacher’s tests.  By doing so you are implicitly blaming the professor for your performance.  This is not the way to encourage the professor to help you.