Did you ever get to the end of a class and want to scream with frustration!!?

Question

I have 1 week left of class and I have no clue what I am doing. I feel completely lost and when I explain to her my background is different for everyone else- I just get a tuff sh*t response. I have no clue what my grade is in the class, she just sent me and email that my grammar is terrible and she doesn't agree with my opinions or any of my case suggestions!! But that’s all it says- she doesn’t agree- not how to rethink it or improve it or anything constructive. Did you every want to smack a teacher in the back of head with her own text book??

It's master level, night time classes for working adults.

pro·fes·sor /prəˈfɛsər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pruh-fes-er] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a teacher of the highest academic rank in a college or university, who has been awarded the title Professor in a particular branch of learning; a full professor: a professor of Spanish literature.
2. any teacher who has the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor.
3. a teacher.
4. an instructor in some art or skilled sport: a professor of singing; a professor of boxing.
5. a person who professes his or her sentiments, beliefs, etc.

Thanks Professor Matt, you’re just another fine example of a pumas ***!

And I explain to her my background is different to get advice from her on what to do to improve myself.... not for pity.

Answer 1

My Evidence professor in law school taught from his own textbook. Since he wrote it, he assumed that everyone in the class could understand it just as well as he did. I was usually a good student who could be taught - and when the teacher flopped I usually did pretty badly myself. My worst grade in law school.

Conversely, my Constitutional Law professor was one of those high flying theory types that no one could understand. The first day of law school, I was one of the few who got his comment that a good issue statement should be "broad yet specific" in the legal writing class. Then every paper I turned in had comments to the effect that he loved my writing style, but hated everything I had to say. Got the middle grade in the class. Then I took Con Law I & II with him, got the high grade both semesters on the exams; I guess if 60 people are taking the same exam and spewing out the same information, the person who's writing style the prof loves will get the best grade. Then I took First Amendment with him - and he offered the class the option of writing a paper or a final exam, and of course everyone else wanted to write a paper. ARRGH!

Or first year moot court oral argument in front of a panel of three "judges": the first judge hated my style, the second judge loved my style, the third was indifferent. Whatever.

Or the poli sci prof in Soviet Foreign Relations my senior year, the first day of class - after buying the books - announces that the books are now all useless history books since the Berlin Wall was just torn down a couple of weeks ago. Your best course material is now the New York Times. Thank you for buying my new, now completely obsolete, $75 book, along with the other 5 required now obsolete texts.

Answer 2

In a Master's level class the professor (not 'teacher' - that is high school stuff) is not responsible for filling in your background. If you were not prepared for the class - and it seems evident that you were not - then what are you doing there? Do you expect a professor to teach the material for this class and also the material that came before it?

I don't think you are ready to work on a grad degree. And unless basically every person in the class is having the same problem you are, then I think that the professor cant be blamed for your failure.

You need to take a hard look at your qualifications and see how you could improve your grammar, critical thinking skills, etc... And try growing up a little - immature whiners and complainers don't belong in Grad school.

Answer 3

Bubbles,

I suppose I have had both some students and professors that would fit into this category, but not many.

I would strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with this professor to calmly discuss your concerns. If you truly believe you are not being treated fairly, you can then follow the chain of command and talk with her direct supervisor.

Do ask yourself whether you are truly being fair in your question - have you done everything you need to in order to be successful? If yes, proceed as advised. If not, then adjust accordingly.

I am a professor and it is a fine line between giving a student legitmate help that they need and want, and holding their hand so that you are not holding them accountable and truly preparing them like you should. Do realize this when you self-reflect.

Good luck

mg

Answer 4

Ha ha, that sounds really funny actually. Too bad he had to do that, do you think he maybe did that on purpose so he could hear your convo? Though he could have sat beside you. Can't think of when this specifically happened to me, but I'm sure there was a time it happened. No one ever knows I like the person I sit next to, but I do get mad at the person beside. But these days, there's allways at least two people sitting beside the person I like at the lunch table, it's so annoying! Oh well ;P

Answer 5

I am a university Professor of literature. Yes, very frequently I get to the end of a class and I want to scream with frustration at the apathy of the rich kids with no brains who occupy the seats that should be taken by those with a brain in their head but no money in their pockets.

Answer 6

well im in highschool, but yeah, i had the same problem with geometry. my teacher would just hand us problems and everyoe else would understand it except me and then i'd feel stupid asking people cuz they go "oh, yeah its real easy. you dont understand it?!".it sucked. i also had an english class where i would write essays and stuff and i'd have my grandma and other people proof read it before i turned them in and they said it was great and i'd get them back and have like a 60%. i even had other english teachers look ever my papers before i handed them in and they said i should get a good grade and again i'd get 60s. i think she just didnt like me. maybe ur teacher doesnt like you either?

Answer 7

oh yes