Weird to visit professor's office hours just to say hi?

So I am graduating from college in a few weeks, and was hoping to stop by a past professor's office hours to say hi. Yes, I'll admit I have a crush on her, but I'm not trying to pursue anything. I really enjoyed her class and she seems really knowledge about art (well I'd guess so since she's a professor after all), and overall just seemed like a really cool person. I never got the opportunity to have an actual conversation with her while I took her class, so I wanted to maybe go to her office hours and say hi before I leave this town for good. I know if I don't do it, I will surely regret it. Is this weird though? I mentioned stopping by when I last emailed her regarding my grade in her class, and she said I should definitely stop by. Is it still weird though? The class wasn't even in my major.

Go for it! I have old students drop by my office for random chats sometimes. I enjoy talking with them! It's a nice break from the bratty students demanding extra credit at the last minute when they could have just done their work/other extra credit opportunities throughout the semester.

Oh wow it's so get an actual professor's take on this, thank you! Thank you for the encouragement, I was actually planning on not going through with this out of fear of coming across as creepy, but now I will. So if a student who took one class with you, and had no specific reason to visit, but emailed you asking to stop by your office hours that wouldn't weird you out at all? Maybe I am just overthinking this. Do you have any suggestions on how I should word this email so as to sound casual and respectful, rather than invasive?

Thank you!

Nope, I'd have no problem at all and would be delighted! Your professor may ask if there is anything he or she could help you with, but that's just because most students want something from us. I had an old student drop by just the other day to chat, and that was great! Don't fret too much about your email. Maybe just say that you don't need anything, but that you enjoyed her as a professor and an individual, and was there a good time you could drop by to say hi and chat before you leave campus? Congrats on graduating!

I would not think it was creepy particularly but I would feel like I didn't necessarily have much to say so I'd think of a couple good lines other than just, "Hi, it's Perna from your X class" I'd think about what I liked about her class in particular or comments on my papers/grade, whatever and the subject in particular and what I plan to do "with" it in the future, how I see it as fitting into my life (even with it not your major) and if you are moving from that town I'd tell her where to and ask if she knew any good art museums near to visit and why, just get an "art" thing or two in there, keep it on a subject you know the two of you have in common so an awkward silence doesn't happen?

I totally agree with you, I do need a reason for visiting. I mean I really don't have a solid reason, or anything I specifically need from her. I suppose my only reason would be to get the chance to talk to an expert on art. I figured I'd maybe say a line about how my grandparents always exposed me to art, but never anything as nuanced as what we saw in class. This would be so much easier if I were to just run into her on campus, which surprisingly, has not happened yet (our campus is relatively small). Darn... this is hard... yeah I really can't think of anything specific here other than just wanting to talk about art.

I like what Perna said, and as another reason for going to see her that you didn't want to leave without taking the opportunity to thank her for, something (?), such as any insight you gained from taking her class that your learned; also explaining how her class / insight(s) has influenced you in whatever way, to thank her for this new perspective, if that is the case, and wanted too to wish her well in whatever pursuits she is doing.

[QUOTE=Fresia;4118686]I like what Perna said, and as another reason for going to see her that you didn't want to leave without taking the opportunity to thank her for, something (?), such as any insight you gained from taking her class that your learned; also explaining how her class / insight(s) has influenced you in whatever way, to thank her for this new perspective, if that is the case, and wanted too to wish her well in whatever pursuits she is doing.[/QUOTE

I agree, I am just wondering what to say for why I want to visit her in the email. I already thanked her and told her I enjoyed the class in an email way back when the class ended, so I wouldn't want to just reiterate the same thing over again. Maybe I could say that I am starting to notice the art we talked about in everyday life, and now really appreciate it. Maybe something like that? It's weird because there really is no specific thing I have to tell her or ask her for, other than to just walk by and give a quick hi. I am still going to be thinking about the email until I feel ready to send it. Still going to send it because I don't want to regret this one. Just waiting for that perfect combination of sentences to hit me.

I'm the same way as you, only I don't have a crush on her; I just think she's a cool person.

Have you ever just casually gone to her office hours?

I see absolutely no harm in popping by to say hi and thank you for her inspiring class and say your farewell and leave it at that.

She obviously has made a significant impact, positively, on your studies.

Ok good to hear there is no harm in it! It is settled then, this week I will send her an email telling if her I'd like to stop by.

Well, just in case anyone was interested in hearing an update, I sent that email a couple days ago, and never got a reply. I suppose it was in fact taken as creepy. I was afraid of that, but I guess what else can I do. Nothing. I'm glad I gave it a shot, but I suppose no matter how hard I try to not come off as a creep, I always succeed in appearing as one. I actually saw her on campus today, but rather than being a perfect opportunity to say hi, she was talking to someone else, so I bit the bullet and walked right past her pretending not to have noticed her. Oh well, I guess you can't really pick and choose in life who wants to stay in touch with you, and who would rather you leave them alone.

Oh, well. I kept in touch with a handful of students/professors over the years. But, frankly, we have so many we can't respond to everyone. I always appreciated students stopping by with compliments! And it helps professors to know students a bit better when it comes time for writing recommendations.

yeah true, I don't know it is a pretty big blow to my confidence though. I have issues with fearing people think I am weird/a creep. It's always something I've dealt with, and this definitely didn't help. Just the thought of her seeing my email and thinking ew creep, leave me alone, it just hurts. Most of my other professors were glad to see me, so I guess it just depends on the person.

I say go for it. I drop by my teachers' office all the time (not even during office hours). I'm not sure how open your school is to close relationships between professors and students... mine is very relaxed. I drop by to chat, make jokes, or have a laugh. I think your teacher would appreciate you taking the time to say goodbye. In my experience, teachers love students who show interest outside the classroom (it doesn't necessarily have to be class related. It makes the teacher feel like they've done their job)

I don't think her snubbing your email has anything to do with you being creepy.

Most college professors don't get straight back to you right away. Sometimes it takes a couple days, maybe more. Some not at all. My favorite college professor hardly replies to any of his students emails because he'd rather speak in person (and he can spend all three hours of class time talking your ear off.)

I still visit my 8th grade science teacher, but we are in a camping club together so mostly I just see him while we go camping, but then once or twice a year I go in while he's teaching and catch up on how things are going. I've known him for ten years now and we are pretty close.