Why students hesitate to ask their professors questions
Maya McDonald | Fulcrum Contributor
“Any questions?”
There is nothing like the shiver that runs down your spine when your professor asks this at the end of class. Most students will, in an effort to maintain their composure, avoid making eye contact and shuffle their books and papers until the professor receives the not-so-subtle signal to let everyone out.
But what if you actually do have a question?
At the beginning of the semester, professors introduce themselves and their office hours. They always encourage students to visit them during their office hours and offer to help anyone who needs assistance with assignments, essays, or understanding readings. But instead of feeling relieved that their professors are eager to help, many students are too scared of looking like a fool to seek out guidance.
“Personally, I am nervous to speak to my professors,” said Megan Beretta, a first year political science and communications student at the U of O. “I always feel like I should be able to answer questions myself, and am not being thorough enough with my work or not paying attention well enough if I am confused. It is nerve-wracking to have to go considerably out of my way to ask something that I just possibly missed in class or in the textbook.”
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Dr. André Lecours, a U of O professor of political studies, has had many students come through his office door, and he has some great advice for students who are feeling hesitant.
“Explore your options,” he suggested. “Use the Academic Writing Help Centre as much as you can, for help with things like writing or syntax, or [other] things students may feel isn’t the type of help that professors can provide.”
When Beretta finally worked up the courage to visit one of her professors, she realized how much she had been missing out on.
“I recently went and visited my professor in office hours,” she said. “I went with prepared questions, but I was put at ease when I realized how friendly and interested he was in talking to me.”
Ashley Hayward, a third year U of O student studying political science and communications, explained that visiting your professor can be helpful for other classmates, as well.
“Students usually don’t realize that if they don’t understand, they probably are not the only one, and by going to a professor during office hours it acknowledges that you didn’t understand and encourages the professor to review the information in the next lecture,” she said. “Chances are if they are asking for clarification there is someone else sitting in the lecture who also did not understand.”
Even though Hayward would encourage other students to visit their professors if they need help, she cautions them against relying on their professors too heavily.
“Students need to realize the professor is not going to hold their hand and do the readings for them,” Hayward said. “But if they are struggling on a particular point, the professor would be more than happy to help them out.”
For those students who feel it is a burden to ask their professors questions, fear not; profs have office hours for a reason.
“[Professor’s have] stated on more than one occasion, ‘I have office hours and nobody visits me. If you don’t understand, come see me, at least make my office hours useful,’” recalled Hayward.
Still worried your professor will think you’re an idiot if you need help? Don’t be.
“There is no such thing as a stupid question,” said Lecours. He also recommends students visit their teaching assistants during their office hours, as they can be a wealth of knowledge for struggling students.
Remember: When in doubt, ask it out. And for those brave souls who took heed to their professors’ words and attended office hours, kudos to you for being courageous—but the line will be all the way down the hall and around the corner should your classmates figure out your secret to success.
