5 Reasons Students Should Meet with Professors During Office Hours

5 Reasons Students Should Meet with Professors During Office Hours From getting extra help understanding class material to having the opportunity to dive deeper into a professors area of specialty, office hours are helpful in a variety of ways. Theyre one of the most valuable resources college students can use. Yet, office hours are also one of the most underutilized free resources available to students on college campuses. There are many reasons students should meet with professors during office hours, including gaining access to research opportunities, gathering valuable career advice, and getting a deeper understanding of class material. College professors are required to hold office hours weekly. Often, theyll be held at the same time on the same day(s) each week. Sometimes, professors will ask you to book office hours with them by appointment. During office hours, you get one-on-one time with your professor. Have you considered office hours but never attended? Here are five reasons students should meet with professors during office hours: 1. Office hours can help you better grasp course material No one is an expert in every academic subjectwe all need help from time to time. When theres something about a class you dont understand, or something youd like to practice in more depth, your professor can help. Having your own one-on-one session with him or her means youll have plenty of time to get the help you need. Your professor will appreciate your effort in coming in for help, especially when youre struggling. It demonstrates that you care enough about the class and your grade that youre trying to improve. But dont wait until right before an exam to get help, as it can be very busy during this timevisit your professor as soon as you think you need assistance. [RELATED: 10 Study Habits to Avoid] 2. Meeting with your professor during office hours can provide you with access to research opportunities If youre really interested in the same field that your professor is teaching, meeting with him or her during office hours to discuss research opportunities can be very valuable. Professors can discuss with you their own research experiences, which can help guide you toward one that might work for you. A professor may even have existing research opportunities in his or her department that he or she could offer you. [RELATED: How Students Can Improve Their Research Skills] 3. Visiting during office hours gives you the opportunity to receive career advice Interested in a specific academic subject area, but not sure what kind of career youd like to pursue? Meet with your professor during office hours to discuss your opportunities. He or she may be able to provide insight into how you can best use your skills. 4. Office hours can help you get to know your professor better Its important to remember that college professors are people too. They have their own unique interests and talents, and they can be very interesting people to talk to. Attending a professors office hours conveys your interest not only in their class, but also in them as an individual. It can be worthwhile to meet with your professors to chat about their past work and accomplishments. You may find inspiration, or get ideas for your own career. 5. Visiting your professor during office hours can give you the motivation you need to succeed If youre finding a particular class boring or not sufficiently challenging, you may benefit from visiting office hours. By doing so, youll have time to talk to your professor on a more in-depth level, which may increase your attention and focus. You may even find that the class is more interesting than you first believed. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew Before Freshman Year of College] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Cest la Fête Nationale French Vocabulary for Bastille Day

Cest la Fête Nationale French Vocabulary for Bastille Day Sign up successful The Bastille was a fortified prison where political prisoners were usually kept some even without the formality of a trial. There were seven prisoners on that fateful  July 14  when a crowd of angry and determined Frenchmen forced the gates open and released them. This was the beginning of the French Revolution. Within twenty days, feudalism was abolished and a little later the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was proclaimed. Prior to the French revolution, French society was divided into three very distinct classes: the clergy, known as the first estate, the nobility, or the second estate, and finally the third estate, the common people. The clergy and nobility were the smallest and also the richest classes, while the third estate lived in extreme poverty. For the French populace, the Bastille stood as a symbol of the corruption behind the wealth and power of the clergy and nobility. When the  common people initiated the revolution,  it  symbolized the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of the French Republic. It was in 1880 that July 14th was chosen as a national holiday, or Fête Nationale. Bastille Day Today The French celebrate Bastille Day with a lot of fervor and gusto. On the morning of  le quatorze juillet,  a multitude gathers at the Champs Élysées, waiting for the oldest and the largest military parade in Europe. The President of the French Republic attends the event which consists of both the parade of troops on foot, mounted troops, and motorized troops. The spectacular firework display to celebrate the occasion starts in the evening,  usually around 11:00 pm, and lasts for about thirty minutes. The fireworks in Paris  are particularly captivating; the resplendent Eiffel Tower glows in the mist as  the decorative ponds of Trocadéro reflect bright balls of fire. Another amazing event is a big concert by the Orchestre Nationale de la France  which takes place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and stars renowned, international artists. This  is a free event that takes on a new theme each year. The Firemens Ball in selected fire stations is another interesting activity, and the festivities can last until 4:00 am. There may be an entrance fee or a donation requested  to improve the working condition of the staff. Interestingly the Bastille Day celebrations are held in other countries. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, United Kingdom, and United States of America, among others celebrate this day each year. Over fifty cities in USA have events to mark the occasion. Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis have different kind of festivals. These events are typically organized with the help of the French Cultural Center or Alliance Française located in these cities. Mostly the festivities revolve around fine wining and dining. French Vocabulary for Bastille Day Now lets take a look at some French vocabulary related to the Bastille Day. First of all,  Bastille Day is called le quatorze juillet  or la fête nationale. You do not wish a Happy Bastille Day in French. Its not the custom. The French Revolution is la Revolution Francaise. Republic is la Republique. The French flag is le drapeau tricolore. Fireworks are le feu dartifice. A military parade is le defile. The homeland is la patrie. Long Live France is Vive la France. The Storming of the Bastille is la Prise de la Bastille. The Eiffel Tower is la tour Eiffel. The French national anthem is La Marseillaise. Now that you have a bit of history and vocabulary, you can celebrate Bastille Day in the French fashion. Vive la France! Post Author: Annie A. Annie A. is a French instructor whose lessons are conducted exclusively online. Teaching for the past 12 years, she found her passion for the language while studying in Paris as a teenager.  Learn more about Annie here! Photos via  Yann Caradec, USAFE AFAFRICA,  Lebara Mobile Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher