Most college instructors appreciate your willingness to ask for appointments. This may seem a little scary to some students, but most instructors welcome the opportunity to establish appropriate relationships with their students and to get to know them. As discussed in the first chapter of this book, it’s up to you to take the initiative to visit your instructors during their office hours. Instructors are almost always required to keep office hours, so don’t worry that you are asking for a special favor. Even part-time instructors, who are not required to have office hours, can be available to help you with your coursework or answer your questions.

You can visit your instructors, either in real time or online, anytime during the term to ask questions, seek help with a difficult topic or assignment, or discuss a problem. If you have a problem with the instructor, the course, or your grade, set up a meeting with him or her to work things out. If the problem is a grade, however, keep in mind that your instructors have the right to assign you a grade based on your performance, and no one can force them to change that grade.

People who become college instructors do so because they have a real passion for a particular subject. If you and your professor share an interest in a particular field of study, you will have the opportunity to develop a true friendship based on mutual interests. Instructors who know you well can also write that all-important letter of reference when you are applying to graduate or professional school or seeking your first job after college.