The first time I visited one of my professors’ office hours was in second year. He was superbly intimidating. Not only was he one of the most eloquent and entertaining intellectuals I had ever encountered, he was 230 pounds of pure muscle. The week before, I witnessed his obliteration of the erg at the campus gym and told myself my paper proposal could wait another week.
I’m pretty sure I backtracked down the hall three times before I grew a pair and knocked on the door. I’m not going to lie to you; those fifteen minutes were painstakingly awkward but incredibly helpful. When professors see you put extra effort into their classes, they want you to succeed. Not only did I do well on the paper, I learned a lot from the books suggested by my professor. I own them, actually (huge dork). The awkwardness also diminished after the second time I visited his office hours. I still see that professor around and he still greets me with a bicep-rippling wave.
Getting to know your professors sets a useful foundation for upper level courses as well. Chances are, especially at a smaller university like UVic, you’re going to have a professor more than once. If they know you and your work habits, they will be more likely to A) provide research/exam help and B) allow a little more wiggle room for extensions.
Speaking of extensions, I have a story that will reinforce my urging to start talking to your professors in first year. At the end of second semester in first year, I woke up with a colourful allergic reaction to penicillin the weekend before a final exam. My boyfriend at the time tried to calm my pre-exam anxiety (as he was convinced it was accelerating my reaction) with:
“I guess when life gives you hives…make honey?”
So, I emailed my professor from the ER asking for an extension. It was Saturday, so I wasn’t surprised when she didn’t reply. When I approached her with a doctor’s note excusing me from the exam on Monday, she had a proverbial cow. I wrote the exam the next day, but her discontent could have been avoided if she knew who I was. Why should she respond to some random student claiming to be sick on her weekend off?
Talking to my professors also enhanced how much I took away from courses. I absorbed more from the lectures, more from the readings and felt like I was making a significant contribution in class. Although, that may just be that false sense of importance I hear Poli Sci students become susceptible to in third year. But whatever, I can dream. Reach out to your profs! They’re the most useful resource you have in university. Plus, you’re going to need someone to write your grad school reference letters…
