We often suggest you go to your instructor’s Office Hours. It’s like free, expert tutoring. But do you know how to actually use this valuable resource? There’s more to it than just showing up. First, you need to do some preparation. Don’t go in to office hours empty handed. You should bring in very specific questions that your professor or TA can help you with. We recommend you use the CORSON technique. This is a simple but very effective study method, introduced by Physics professor and Cornell president Dale Corson. The key to the Corson Technique is to carefully identify where your understanding breaks down. This usually means going very SLOWLY through the reading or equations, step by step, until you find where you really get stuck. Document this! Make a note of everything you’ve tried, and bring these notes with you to office hours. This will help your instructor help you. Effective learning is a team effort. Make sure you are doing your part.
We often suggest you go to your instructor’s Office Hours. It’s like free, expert tutoring. But do you know how to actually use this valuable resource? There’s more to it than just showing up. First, you need to do some preparation. Don’t go in to office hours empty handed. You should bring in very specific questions that your professor or TA can help you with. We recommend you use the CORSON technique. This is a simple but very effective study method, introduced by Physics professor and Cornell president Dale Corson. The key to the Corson Technique is to carefully identify where your understanding breaks down. This usually means going very SLOWLY through the reading or equations, step by step, until you find where you really get stuck. Document this! Make a note of everything you’ve tried, and bring these notes with you to office hours. This will help your instructor help you. Effective learning is a team effort. Make sure you are doing your part.