“Come to office hours.” 

This phrase has quietly haunted many students at Webb over the years. Though meant to encourage, for many, it feels like a polite dismissal of their concerns, a note that seems to be telling them their question is not important. Rather than feeling like guidance, it becomes another source of pressure.  

Some students wonder what office hours are for and how they should use them. To address these common questions, ones that many students hesitate to ask, here is a compilation of tips and advice from upperclassmen and faculty across campus on how to approach office hours and make the most of them. 

When to go to office hours 

Often, Webb students are under the impression that office hours are only for those who are struggling with a class or those who have major questions about an upcoming test.  

“Go even if you don’t need help yet,” Luciano Schaefer-Troendle (‘26) said. 

The truth is, office hours were created with the intention of being a weekly support system for students to get help with their homework and strengthen necessary skills. Going to office hours allows students to prepare for upcoming assignments, catch up on any missed lessons, and get to know their teachers better.  

How to prepare for office hours 

Although there is no proper method for guaranteed success to preparing for office hours, a good start would be to identify what you need help with. The following checklists outline a few essential items students should bring before attending office hours for different subjects. 

Your humanities packing list: 

1. Your notes, readings, and laptop.
2. A notebook or phone to record anything you need. 
3. Know what you need help with—whether it’s content knowledge or skill knowledge. 
4. Water and a relaxed mind. 

For humanities classes, more preparation is needed. It can sometimes be difficult for students to identify exactly what they need help with, but doing so is the first step to making the most of office hours. Students should start by reflecting on whether the challenge lies in understanding the content or developing a particular skill. 

“A good way to prepare if you don’t understand content is [making sure you’re] able to report back to the teacher what you know [so they can tell you] where the mistakes are,” said Stefanie Graefe, co-chair of the humanities department. “For skill, you can be a little bit more open-ended and [ask your teacher for advice:] ‘Hey, can you just give me some advice on how to write [stronger] topic sentences?’” 

Overall, making the most of office hours starts with understanding your own needs, coming prepared with specific questions or areas you want to work on, and being ready to learn. 

Your science and math packing list: 

1. Your laptop, homework, and notes. 
2. A notebook or phone to record anything you need. 
3. Prepared questions on topics you are confused about, or problems you don’t know how to do. 

For science and math classes, the process is very straightforward. Students can bring their questions or homework that they are struggling with to office hours, and their amazing teachers will help them work through it. 

Students preparing for a math test may find that regular office hours are not always enough time. To address this, the not-so-secret “secret office hours” were created to give students additional opportunities to review concepts and ask questions. 

“I will do ‘secret office hours’ in which I email all of my students, as well as students that I work with, where they just come in and have a few extra hours in the evening to come study,” said Anthony Ashkar, math department faculty. “I started doing that last year when students were predominantly showing up to office hours each day, and they felt [that] they didn’t have enough time to go over their questions.” 

So even if the office hours block feels short, that does not always mean that is your only option. 

Your fine arts packing list: 

1. A scheduled time with your teacher. 
2. A list of materials you need. (eg. Cameras, paints, 3D printers, etc.) 
3. Prepared questions and concerns. 
4. Your phone and water. 

For fine art courses, the process might require more planning. Due to the nature of art courses, students often need extra equipment or time in the art room. To avoid not having all the necessary resources, students should reach out to their teachers ahead of time and provide a list of required materials.  

Of course, as the schedule of Webb can be hectic, especially as an athlete, conventional office hours timing could feel restrictive. Although that is a concern, Webb teachers have found ways to schedule around it.  

“I know that all of the art teachers are really responsive when it comes to moving around [the timing issue]; I personally had definitely met [students] during lunchtime, or on our free blocks if it coincides,” said Megan Horejsi, fine arts department faculty. “So I think that most [teachers] are really flexible about meeting people when they need to be met, but again, you got to reach out ahead of time.” 

Ultimately, the most important step is simply reaching out. With a quick email and a little planning, students can find flexible times to meet with teachers and get the support they need. 

Can you still go to office hours if you don’t need help? 

Some students wonder if it is acceptable to attend office hours even when they are not struggling with a class. Is it strange to show up just to talk with a teacher or get to know them better? 

“I think [going to office hours is] a really good way for you to connect with people you don’t usually talk to or learn about interesting classes you could sign up for the next year,” Sophie Lin (‘26) said. “We’re very lucky to have one-on-one time with teachers, and part of being a community is opening yourself up to people and inviting them to get to know you.” 

“Come to office hours” is not meant to be a dismissal. Maybe it is an invitation, one that only works if students learn how to accept it. This means coming prepared with questions, reflecting on what help is needed, and using the time to start a conversation with teachers. At a place like Webb, where time feels scarce and expectations feel high, office hours are not just extra help. They are one of the few spaces intentionally built for discussion, guidance, and connection between students and teachers.