by Ashley Ramirez
When I began my undergraduate studies, I initially found professors and teaching assistants (TAs) to be quite intimidating. Their depth of knowledge and professional experience felt overwhelming, especially as I was just starting to learn the fundamentals of my field. Looking back, one of my biggest regrets during my first year was not taking advantage of their office hours.
Fortunately, during my second year, one of my instructors made attending office hours mandatory. He recognized many students were missing out on the opportunity to build relationships with their instructors and receive individualized support. I’m deeply grateful for that experience—it helped me overcome my initial hesitation and realize that no question is too small or insignificant to ask.
From that point forward, I felt more comfortable seeking help and engaging with my professors and TAs. I found that most were approachable, patient, and eager to explain concepts in a way that made sense to me. Additionally, attending office hours allowed me to learn more about their research interests and career paths, which provided valuable insight and inspiration.
Ultimately, professors and TAs are there to support students—that’s a core part of their role. While taking that first step can be daunting, regular attendance at office hours quickly becomes a natural and rewarding part of the academic experience.
