Student Drop-in Hours

The first step is to find out more about the drop-in hours. You can do this by reviewing your syllabus or course Blackboard site to find out when your course instructors offer student drop-in hours, where they are located, and the format (virtual or in-person). Usually, this information may be found near the top of your syllabus or as a tab in Blackboard.

Generally, drop-in hours do not require appointments, but you can let your professor know you plan to visit. Otherwise, if the hours conflict with your schedule (if you have class or work during the times), talk to your professors before or after class or email your professor to ask if they are available to meet during other times in the week. Most professors are happy to speak with students at alternative times.

Below are two example emails you can use to notify professors about an upcoming visit or to request a different time to meet.

Before you visit drop-in hours, it is helpful to take time to think about your reasons for the visit and what you hope to accomplish. Essentially, you want to create a plan for your meeting. Having a plan can also help to feel more comfortable meeting with professors because you have built an agenda and have specific items to discuss.  

For example, is your goal to review a specific concept to ensure you understand it correctly? Are you hoping to discuss a concept that you are having difficulty understanding and applying? Do you have a question about an assignment? Are you seeking strategies to help you prepare for an exam? Do you want to talk about research or your major?

Once you have identified the goal(s), be sure to write it down. It also helps to have the materials that relate to your goal easily accessible in case you need to show your professor the source of your question or provide additional background to help your professor understand your questions or comments.

Below are additional topics and questions to help you think about your goals and how to approach them in a session.

Anytime you plan to meet with a professor, you want to take time to prepare and get organized. Being prepared demonstrates your commitment to the class and that you respect your professor’s time. This will help you get the most from the session and make a positive and professional impression. Below are some steps to take to help you get ready for an upcoming meeting:

1. Bring notetaking materials and have your goal. Bring a notebook with, and be sure to have written down your goals and questions. This will ensure you get the information you need by the time you leave your meeting. Having a notebook also allows you to take notes on what you cover so you can reference them later and build them into your lecture notes and study materials.
2. Pack all the necessary course materials. Bring all the materials you have questions about and relate to your goal. This includes textbooks, articles, PPTs, course handouts, or lecture notes. And, make sure to have the exact passages or pages book marked so you can easily locate the material and be efficient with your time.
3. If your drop-in hours are virtual. Follow the steps above and have everything easily accessible.
4. Be prepared to share the steps you have taken before the visit. When you meet with professors, be prepared to talk about the work you have done to address the reason for your visit. For example, share if you have reviewed the material and discussed it with another student in the class, completed practice problems, used tutoring services, created an outline, etc. You should not expect to attend drop-in hours and be given answers to problem sets or questions. Drop-in hours are a tool to help your learning. You want to demonstrate to professors that you have made an effort and taken the steps to engage the material and learn it. Rather than asking for an answer, ask about your approach to solving the problem or arriving at the problem. Or, ask questions that offer clarity on the problem in which you are seeking feedback.

Once you have completed the above steps to prepare for drop-in hours, you are ready to have the meeting. Below are some strategies to make a positive and professional connection:

1. Greeting. When you meet with your professor during drop-in hours, refer to your professor as “Dr” or “Professor.” Introduce yourself with your first and last name and remind them of the course you are in and the time you attend. Sometimes professors teach more than one class during a semester or multiple sections of the same class, so it is good to give them some information about yourself and the class. If you emailed the professor ahead of your visit, reference that as well. Thank the professor for meeting with you. If the meeting is in person, you can also shake the professor’s hand if you feel comfortable and ask where you should take a seat.
2. Materials and goal sharing. Grab your notebook where you have written down your goal and questions and share it with the professor. “I have some questions about…” “I am hoping to discuss…”
3. Discussion and notetaking. As you discuss your questions, reference any relevant or helpful materials that will help the professor understand how best to support you and be sure to share the steps you have taken before the visit. Take notes as you have the discussion. If something is still unclear, ask your profess to restate or kindly explain once more.
4. Wrap-up. After you have discussed your questions and feel confident that you have covered and gotten clarity on the material that led you to visit, thank the professor for taking the time to meet. If the meeting is in-person, and you feel comfortable, you can shake their hand as you exit.

After you end your session, be sure to review the notes you took during the meeting and incorporate them into your study materials. Then, you will want to send the professor a quick thank you note. Here is an example.

Dear Professor Jones,

I wanted to thank you for all your help this afternoon when I attended your drop-in hours. I appreciate your time reviewing with me the course material and talking over some of the concepts. It was incredibly helpful and I definitely plan to return this semester!

Thanks again for your help!

Warmly,

Sara Cano

Sara Cano (she/her)

UIN: 1234567

Sociology | Class of  2024

University of Illinois Chicago

Students who make a regular habit of visiting drop-in hours throughout the semester are more likely to perform their best in the course. Drop-in hours are:

• Helpful for all students, whether you understand the material or have questions about a concept. Using drop-in hours to discuss the class will benefit you and enhance your learning.
• Not a replacement for class. Don’t only attend drop-in hours and expect to perform your best. Drop-in hours are designed to enhance or compliment your learning. Consider them an additional step you can take with class instruction to build your knowledge. Visits to drop-in hours will not help you learn all the material presented in class.
• Should be used throughout the semester rather than only near exams or to ask questions about exams. Plan to use drop-in hours early and often! If you wait until exams, you may miss out on learning material and strategies that will help you prepare for exams weeks before the actual exam. In making visits a regular part of your study routine, you will improve your knowledge and understanding of the course and increase your confidence when taking exams.