#Facetime

I have four hours every week set aside for YOU. I'm in my office, with the door open, ready to listen to whatever is on your mind. It is a great opportunity to help me help you. To address problems you may be having in my class, or even in others. To check to see if you really understand the concepts we are discussing. To find out how I can improve your classroom experience. To show me that you care about the course.

And there is an added benefit. Getting to know me and your other professors outside of the classroom - as early in the semester as possible - can go along way in establishing trust. If later in the semester you have a serious issue that interferes with coming to class, or taking a test, or submitting an assignment, we professors are much more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt, or the extra time, or the needed empathy, if you have already made that personal connection and established some level of trust. We are also more likely to help with letters of recommendation and job references and other needs outside of the course if we feel like we know at least a little bit about you on a personal level.

So stop by for some facetime, even when you don't need to. It's worth it.

#ProfessorInsight