They will tell you about all-campus TA orientation sessions. If you attend your department's orientation and still feel unprepared for your TA assignment, call the OIR coordinators and share your concerns. They are familiar with many departments and will be happy to work with you. However, you may find the guidelines misleading. It is important to check with your advisor and a few experienced TAs in your department to form an idea of a realistic course load for someone in your position.
Departments typically provide office space and keys for teaching assistants.
You probably will share an office and even a desk with other TAs. You'll find that proximity with fellow TAs makes it easier for you to discuss major and minor problems and triumphs. As a teaching assistant, you are expected to hold office hours and post the hours out-side your office in a place that students easily notice. The course coordinator or experi-enced TAs can tell you the number of office hours you should hold. It is a campus policy that classes not be cancelled unless there is an evening exam or some other session scheduled to take its place.