In this excerpt, Lowman and Aldrich (2016) suggested strategies for informal conferences with individual students, "preferably during office hours, rather than … after class or on campus" (Just Listen, ¶2). They indicated that the purpose of these sorts of somewhat extended encounters, approximately 10-30 minutes in length (Close the conversation…, ¶1), was empowerment of students to "better understand their situation[s], consider … wider range[s] of options, and make their own decisions about their future[s]" (Just Listen, ¶2). Their suggestions highlighted: active listening, (re-)focusing, moderating distress, avoiding giving advice, closing, and recommending follow-ups for student conferences.

Lowman, Joseph; & Aldrich, Howard. (2016). Just Listen. <i>National Teaching & Learning Forum, 25, 1–3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ntlf.30054/full [doi: 10.1002/ntlf.30054]