1. The Professors Care.
You are paying your University to teach you, and professors truly care about your success. Your professors are there to help you, and answer any questions that you may have. It is the professors job to help you, and they will bend over backwards to stay after and help you. I have done it, and it really benefitted me. The professors do want to see you do well, since afterall you are the reason why they are teaching.
2. It will benefit you.
By going to office hours, you are showing that professor that you want to improve your grade, and knowledge of the subject matter. It does not matter how bad you are doing, if you show up outside of class, it shows that you care enough to take time out of your day to be there. Who knows, maybe at the end of the semester when you are on the edge of that B+/A-, they will remember you coming in to see them.
3. Some professors count office hours as extra credit.
If you go to office hours some professors will mark it down that you were here, and boost your grade completely. No matter what you do, if you go in for help, it is showing that you are putting in more effort than your peers. All it can do is give you an extra boost, and hey, you may learn something new!
4. To Prepare for exams/ projects.
Although the professor will not give you an exact play by play about the upcoming exam, they can give you a little more insight into what you want to hone in on. They are the authority, and administrator of the exam, and they are your resource and guide to succeeding in the class. They will work with you to narrow down what is most important, and will help you create a study guide to Ace that exam!!
5. To talk about life/gain advice about career options
Your professors have lived more time than you have, and know the ins and outs to getting into grad school, maintaining good grades, and even landing some nice internships. I highly recommend seeing your professors outside of class to discuss their take on your future, and listening to their advice. If you do decide to do this, you will see that it will make your life easier, and you will foster a nice relationship with your professor. It is not all business, and sometimes you need to chill, and talk about life lessons. This, too, is ok to do with your professor as they are your mentor. They know much more than you ever think they do, and are there to support you!
Use these tips to start building relationships with your professors. When you visit them, show a genuine interest in the subject they teach and don’t waste their time. As always, make sure to attend class, show up prepared, go to office hours, and put your best foot forward to succeed in college.
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