The best piece of advice I can give to students is to attend their professors’ office hours. Office hours are an established time that the professor is available throughout the week to meet with students. When I need clarification on an assignment, want internship advice, or just to chat I can attend my professors’ office hours. Every professor has set hours every single week where students are able to come and ask questions about the material, receive clarification on assignments, and so much more. Best of all, I have seen drastic increases in not only my understanding of course material but also my grades.
Sometimes my professor’s office hours fall during times when I am in another class. Fortunately, my professors have frequently met with me outside of their posted office hours. On top of this individualized attention, some of my professors serve as my academic advisors as well.
At Naz, your academic advisor — who helps you ensure completion of graduation requirements through check-ins each semester regarding course selection — is often someone you have had as a professor. So your advisor has more of an opportunity to get to know you as not only a student, but as a person, and learn about your interests, your aspirations post-graduation, and what you are involved in on campus. I have been fortunate enough to have had incredible experiences with all of my advisors on campus, and they have all been kind enough to write on my behalf for my applications to law schools. What I appreciate most is I know these recommendations were a true reflection of me.
If these considerations are not enough to convince you, some professors even offer extra credit for attending office hours!