Flexible approach to office hours promotes academic support, peer connections, increased student participation

Students don’t wine at Ana Benaduce’s happy hours. They don’t whine either.

They come to unwind. Unlike happy hours at the local bar, Benaduce’s happy hours are serving up resources instead of drinks. In lieu of a bartender to listen to all their woes, they get the personalized attention of their human anatomy professor.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, office hours were already a hit-or-miss affair. Some students took full advantage of the designated time to get to know their professors, discuss course material, ask questions or get feedback on their work. Others, not so much. As COVID restrictions lessened in 2021 and students and faculty returned to campuses all across the U.S., office hours attendance fell even further.

During a faculty workshop, a new idea started brewing for Benaduce. Many of her colleagues had the same question: “How do I get students to attend my office hours?” But she didn’t want to return to pre-pandemic attendance numbers. She wanted to serve up a new way of doing things, grow participation and promote greater engagement. Office hours needed a fresh approach, a new marketing strategy. Luckily, her co-teacher in human anatomy, Teaching Professor Lisa Brinn, was ready to shake things up.

First came the rebrand as office hours became happy hours. Next, they moved from the confines of a traditional faculty office to a much larger lab space. You won’t find alcoholic beverages at this happy hour. You won’t find a bar either. No bartender. What you will find is lots of conversation and camaraderie. And students. You can even say her happy hours have regulars and it’s all thanks to Benaduce’s personality and teaching style.

With more than 450,000 Instagram followers and 244,000 YouTube subscribers, the teaching professor known to many as WittyAnatomy has a unique—sometimes funny and often engaging—teaching style that earns high praise from her students. Her vibrant personality, interactive lessons and ability to clearly explain daunting information make her a favorite. Her lecture class has an enrollment of up to 288 students and up to eight sections of 36 students in the dry lab every semester.

“It all depends on how the professor approaches it,” Benaduce said. “Students think they will be interrupting professors in their office. They will go if they really don’t have another option. I always say I don’t have office hours. I have happy hours because I’m so happy to see you there!”

Happy hours are designed to draw crowds. Benaduce and Brinn’s happy hours are no exception. The curiosity was overflowing. They recently published the results of her rebranding experiment in the Journal of College Science Teaching. According to the study, this flexible approach to office hours promoted both academic support and peer connections, resulting in increased student participation and improved academic performance.

“For people like me with ADHD, I really need to find environments that help encourage me to study,” said FIU student Regina Diricio. “When I walk in there, I know I’m going to be productive.”

But what’s a happy hour without a two-for-one? For students like Ashley Diaz, happy hours are more than just academics. It’s about building relationships with classmates.

“I’ve always been extremely introverted,” Diaz said. “Now, I’ve just been so open and comfortable with my classmates, and they’ve reciprocated that energy to me.”

Benaduce and Brinn are proving office hours don’t have to be a real buzzkill. They foster a place of belonging and inclusivity all while offering students a listening ear and pouring out advice instead of libations.

“One of the most successful outcomes is the interaction between students who struggle with the content and those who have mastered it,” Brinn said. “Even the students providing help gain valuable insights and deepen their own understanding through the process of teaching others.”

It’s all about building connections and creating a relaxed space where students can feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. Cheers to that!