In college, whether you’re a nontraditional student adjusting to less freedom than you’ve been used to or a traditional student adjusting to more freedom, you will find that your instructors are not going to tell you what, how, or when to study. In addition, they will rarely monitor your progress. However you will have more freedom to express views that are different from theirs. They will usually have private offices and keep regular office hours when they can meet with you. Check with your instructors to find out if you need to make an appointment before coming to their office. (Read the Tech Tip: E-Mail with Style, which shows you how to communicate with your instructors appropriately via e-mail.) You might be able to ask your instructors a quick question before or after class, but you will be able to get far more help by actually visiting their offices. By taking advantage of office hours, you will also let the instructor know that you are serious about learning. You can ask the instructor for direct help with any question or misunderstanding that you have. You might also want to ask some questions about the instructor’s educational career and particular research interests. Many students develop close relationships with their instructors, relationships that can be important both now and in the future.