As their name suggests, school teachers tend to concentrate on teaching. They might spend a large part of their working day in the classroom engaging with students, and they are generally accessible during (and sometimes after) school hours. The many tasks they do outside the classroom - like planning lessons or marking work - tend to be student-focused.
But at uni, lecturers must do more than teach students. Teaching is only one of a broad range of responsibilities your lecturers have (see the list of what lecturers do in the right-hand column).
So, if your lecturer is not in her or his office when you drop in, don't think he or she is avoiding you.
Uni lecturers don't tell you everything you need to know. In lectures especially, their job is to provide the basic information/ knowledge that you need in order to discover things for yourself.
Availability
If you want to speak to your tutors or lecturers, make an appointment or visit them during their consultation time.
Consultation times are set aside for students, but if you turn up at other times your lecturer or tutor may not be there, or may not have the opportunity to speak with you.
Getting the most from a meeting with your lecturer or tutor
What do lecturers do?
* give lectures
* write lectures
* prepare for tutorials
* conduct tutorials
* prepare course materials
* develop new programs
* develop IT literacy
* student advocacy
* course administration
* mark assignments
* consult with individual students
* lead field trips
* undertake the research their academic position requires
* publish articles in academic journals
* publish books
* supervise the research of honours/ masters/ PhD students
* referee articles submitted for publication to academic journals
* sit on various uni and professional committees
* collaborate with outside bodies & institutions
* give guest lectures at other universities
* attend staff development workshops
* attend/organise conferences
* advise government and business
* undertake overseas study trips
* apply for grants and fellowships
* give expert opinions to the media