Have any of you ever seen your teacher/professor as a second parent?

Question

They basically keep an eye on you while you're at school and help you not only through your subject matter, but also in life.

Mine does. Just wondering if i'm not the only one.

I've never viewed it as stepping over the line. One of mine encourages me to talk to her about what is happening in my life and I'm glad that she supports me that way.

Answer 1

To a degree, yes. One of my professors definitely looks out for my well being. He has written me about 20 recommendations for various programs, and I always meet up for lunch or coffee with him when I am in town. He's genuinely interested in what I'm up to and is always supportive. I think, also, when you are in graduate school--this is especially true because your success is their success as well. A lot of how you turn out as a professor/scientist/whatever is dependent on how well you were trained by your professors (and your participation in that success equation too--how well you responded to them).

As far as undergrad professors go, I would say yes to some and no to others. They never kept an eye on me; they never needed to...but many did ask for updates on my plans for grad school/med school and all of that. It always amazed me that they remembered exactly what I was planning on doing--sometimes better than I would.

I wouldn't go as far to call any a second parent (my mom and dad would be jealous :-P), but I definitely associate closely with many of my professors. I think of them more as friends and future colleagues who really know what they hell they are talking about. They always have good advice. It was never advice on my "personal" life though; it was always career/academic advice, which is really where I needed the help anyways. As much as I like and trust my professors, I don't unload my personal burdens on them; it it stepping over the line, in my mind.

Good question though. I wish more people would answer!

Edit-Well if she actually asks you about things, then that's different. I personally just would never bring it up in conversation, you know? If one of them asked, of course I would respond!

Answer 2

I think a lot of students look at things this way, and I have to say that as a professor, there are times when I feel rather parental, for example when a student of mine, or a former student, wins some great honor. Or I will feel very protective of a student who is being spoken of badly by others. We all do have to recognize, however, that it is like being a second parent to an adult child, not a minor - we have no business messing into their private lives, nor can they expect us to fix their personal problems.

Answer 3

Not any more they don't.