Making the Most of Consultation

Consultation allows students to fit in last-minute study sessions and ask questions about a post-lab report. Knowing how to manage the fleeting 35 minutes can be a difficult task to master. Luckily, a few students have revealed their tips and tricks on how to make consultation as efficient as possible.

First, I’d like to give my own recommendation: always attend at least one of your teacher’s consultation periods each day, even if you don’t stay for the entire period. By going to consultation, you give your teacher the impression that you genuinely care about your academics beyond structured class time and are willing to ask questions, even if you aren’t necessarily struggling in the course. You also foster a better connection with your teachers when you engage with them outside of mandatory class time, which can help you in the long run, when requesting extensions or asking for  recommendation letters. Consultation is a precious, dedicated time that allows you to stand out to your teachers and get a deeper understanding of material, which can only benefit you as a student. 

Risa Kato ’26 reported that to avoid the students lined up for teachers before major assessments, she usually “asks [her] teacher for their expected availability during consultation or simply walks into a different class she needs help on.” By notifying her teacher in advance, she can make the most of her 35 minutes. Ultimately, Kato believes “identifying and prioritizing what you truly need help on” is the first step to effectively using consultation—progress follows after making a plan that works for you best. 

If a teacher’s consultation period is too busy, Kellen Fisher ’26, “tends to work with the students [in the classroom],” or “just work[s] on questions that [he] knows [he] can do until the teacher is not busy.” Fisher’s biggest piece of advice is to avoid “rely[ing] on consultation just to talk to your teacher.” Talking to people in the classroom who already understand the material “allows you to learn something while you are there instead of just wasting your time.”

 

Toni Ebunlomo ’25 highlights “going in with a plan” and making sure you “spend time reviewing and highlighting the topics you particularly struggle in.” He further recommends “preparing specific questions, especially when you don’t have much one-on-one time with a teacher.” Similar to Fisher, Ebunlomo finds value in learning from his peers, as the “questions students ahead of you in line are asking might answer your question,” and it never hurts to listen in on other students' questions. 

Tenji Sithole ’25 typically stays in one or two consultation classes regardless of how many people are in there, because she believes, “even if I can't see the teacher one on one, I will learn from students in the same course as me,” and if no one knows the answer, “sometimes you can harkness it out”. She recommends going to packed consults “if you are a social learner who prefers having someone explain something to you or explaining the subject to someone else”. Sithole also acknowledges this may not be helpful for everyone, suggesting “if you are more solitary, then solo-studying in a teacher’s class might be more helpful, whether it be watching Khan Academy videos or revising your notes.” However, she emphasizes emailing your teacher to schedule a meeting outside of consultation for an important question or “a more pressing matter.”

Although the slot is scheduled on a nearly daily basis, consultation is one of the most crunched periods that most Lawrentians have to manage in the week. Attending consultation provides valuable information and relationships that you can use to your advantage and demonstrates to your teacher your investment in the class. Because students across campus study better in different environments, it is essentially up to you to figure out a comfortable yet effective plan to utilize consultation in a teacher’s classroom. In the meantime, feel free to use these tips to help guide your way through consultation like a professional!