Let's be real - when you first hear "office hours," it might sound intimidating or formal. Maybe you're picturing a stuffy professor sitting behind a massive desk, waiting to quiz you on material you don't understand. But here's the thing: office hours are actually one of the most underutilized (and awesome!) resources on campus.
Office hours are designated times when your professors hang out in their offices specifically to chat with students. Think of it as their "open door" time - generally you don't need to set up an appointment, and there's no formal agenda required. You can just show up to chat and ask questions!
Most professors hold office hours at least once or twice a week, and they'll list these times on their syllabus or on Blackboard. Most professors are willing to meet by appointment if their regular office hours don't work with your schedule, or on Zoom if you're not able to make it to campus.
Here's a secret: you don't need to be struggling or confused to visit office hours! Sure, if you're stuck on an assignment or didn't understand something from lecture, that's a perfect reason to stop by. But office hours are also great for:
Here's where Madonna University really shines. With our 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, your professors actually know your name - not just your student ID number. This isn't a massive university where you'll have over 300 other students with you in a lecture hall.
When your professor only has a handful of students in each class, they're able to genuinely care about your success. They notice if you're struggling, they remember your interests, and they're invested in helping you reach your goals. That small class size means office hours feel more like grabbing coffee with a mentor than meeting with an intimidating authority figure.
Ready to give office hours a try? Here are some tips to make it feel less awkward:
Strong relationships with professors can seriously change your college experience. These are the people who:
And with our small class sizes, building these relationships happens naturally - if you put in just a tiny bit of effort.
Your professors want to help you succeed. They chose to work at Madonna University because they love teaching and working closely with students. Those office hours? They're not empty because professors don't want to see you - they're empty because most students don't realize what an amazing resource they're missing out on.
Once your classes start and you get settled into your new schedule, pick one class and just pop by during office hours. Say hi, ask a question, or just tell your professor that you're enjoying their class. Trust us - it'll be way less scary than you think, and it might just be the best decision you make this semester!
