Try Not to Look Too Busy

When you are sitting in your office waiting for students to show up for office hours, it is okay to do work! However, be sure that you are doing work that can easily be dropped when a student arrives. If you look too busy, students may continue to walk past your office and/or stop attending office hours out of fear of interrupting your work. You should also avoid telling students about how busy you are, as students may perceive this to mean that they are annoying you by asking for help. One way that you can signal to students that you are not too busy for them is to post a welcoming sign on your door during office hours. See our Office Hours Signs below for examples.