To listen and follow along, follow this link: https://youtu.be/7DfLkKFlN3s (Links to an external site.).

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Your instructors are available both in-person and electronically to help you in your courses and while navigating NCTC. You might meet with faculty either during a scheduled conference or during faculty office hours.

Faculty frequently hold conferences with students to discuss their writing assignments and progress in a course. These conferences are often a required activity that might occur face-to-face in an instructor's office, in the classroom, or electronically in WebEx, Canvas Chat, or Zoom. Conferences typically have an informal agenda set by the instructor. For example, an instructor might say, "For conferences this week, we will be discussing your paper's introduction."

Faculty also hold office hours each week that are less structured, and students are invited (but not required) to attend. Faculty set aside time during their office hours to meet with students and discuss the course material and/or answer questions. Students can also meet with faculty during this time to discuss possible majors and degree programs, on-campus resources, and graduation requirements. You'll find your instructor's office hours listed on the course syllabus. While most faculty members consider office hours as first-come, open invitations to meet with students, other faculty prefer that students make an appointment ahead of time to meet. You might send your instructor a quick email a day or two before scheduled office hours to confirm availability and to identify questions that you'd like to discuss. It's also helpful to have completed some of your readings or assigned homework prior to your meeting so that the time is productive.

Keep in mind that conferences and office hours are not like what you've seen in movies or experienced in high school: It's not like "staying after school" or getting detention. It's not a bad thing to meet for a conference or visit with your instructor during office hours, but it's also not a time for you to do your homework or for the instructor to do it for you.

But, don't wait until the last minute! Don't procrastinate until the day before a test or an assignment is due to ask for help. And, if you do need help with the homework or would like more practice to reinforce the course materials, reach out to your classmates to create in-person and online study groups. Collaborate to graduate! Teamwork makes the dream work! Rising tides raise all boats!

Finally, go to conferences and office hours with a positive attitude. Your instructor wants you to be successful and will do all that he or she can to help you achieve your goals. While it's easy to get frustrated and to lash out, keeping a positive, growth mindset goes a long way to helping you stay focused and being successful in your courses.