{"id":257,"date":"2017-06-16T11:11:17","date_gmt":"2017-06-16T15:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/teachingresources\/teachingresources\/?page_id=257"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T19:53:58","slug":"office-hours","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/teachingresources\/communicating-with-your-students\/office-hours\/","title":{"rendered":"Office Hours"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Office Hours\n <\/h1>\n \n \n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Office hours are an important extension of the classroom where students can come and address concerns with material, assignments, grades or other issues that may arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each academic unit may have slightly different standards for office hour requirements. Usually you will be required to set at least one office hour per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n Table of Contents\n <\/h2>\n
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\n \n 1.\n <\/span>\n\n \n Setting Office Hours\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \n 2.\n <\/span>\n\n \n Physical Office Hours\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \n 3.\n <\/span>\n\n \n Virtual Office Hours\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \n 4.\n <\/span>\n\n \n Scheduling\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n \n 5.\n <\/span>\n\n \n Tips\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Setting Office Hours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may choose to have your office hours directly before or after class. However, try not to set hours that end at the same time as class begins or you will not have travel time and may have to cut discussions with students short. Often, instructors try to keep the half hour before class for themselves to complete last-minute preparations and think about class details. You should attempt to arrive at your class at least 15 minutes before it starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With email communication increasing over the past few years, you may find that no students attend your office hours. Once they are set for the term, however, you must be available, so do not set more office hours than you will need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many contract instructors have difficulty setting office hours that are regular or convenient for students and may not have access to private office space. With your academic unit\u2019s permission, you may choose to offer office hours by appointment only. You must be available regularly, however, to establish appointments with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also choose to have your TA(s) be the first point of contact with your students and only meet with those students whose needs are not being met by the TA(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two kinds of office hours that we encourage you to consider: physical and virtual. Both are subject to their own pros and cons, so try to decide which works best for you and the needs of your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical Office Hours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most common office hours are physical office hours. You may find that sometimes students spend more time emailing you as opposed to coming to office hours, but the benefits of face-to-face interactions with students shouldn\u2019t be underestimated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n