With classes in full swing we are all finding out which professors we thoroughly enjoy, those we suffer through, and those we wish to avoid after finals at all costs. Some are truly invested in their students and passionate about what they teach, some have Ph. D's and lack the people skills to make lectures any more than being talked at with cold, dry fervor, and those who seem to blend the course with an actual professor/student relationship. Sad to say, my cohorts and I have encountered quite an array of professors in our collegiate years, and here's to the shit we have to put up with.
1. Being "on time"
I currently have two professors who have completely different definitions of being on time. One has sent out an email about tardiness, stressing the importance of showing up ready to learn. The irony in this is that he consistently shows up 3-8 minutes late!
2. Being early = being on time, being on time = being late, and being late = unacceptable.
Need I say more?
3. Not following the syllabus or grading rubric.
What is the point of handing it out if you already know we will get off track and not do half of the course content set out in the class! I need structure, I like to know due dates, chapter schedules, don't toy with my emotions like this! Also, if you give out a grading rubric with specific criteria and don't follow through with said criteria DON'T LIST IT. Professor inconsistently is the absolute worst thing to encounter when attempting to learn.
4. Brief online instructions!
When they barely give you an overview of your assignment, but then have hypercritical comments and a less than desired grade... this is one of those moments a grading rubric would come in handy. USE ONE.
5. Grading in a timely fashion!
Honestly my biggest pet peeve. I work very hard on my assignments and papers, and the stress of potentially waiting weeks after turning them in for a grade causes me A LOT of extra stress!
6. Preaching "Plan, plan plan" but not taking their own advice.
We've all encountered at least one professor who is the biggest hypocrite when it comes to planning. They expect your A game every single day, and every single assignment yet they can't seem to follow their own advice. They constantly struggle through the syllabus, or don't follow it at all. They will randomly cancel class with little notice, or fumble in front of everyone not remembering what we're supposed to be doing.
7. Office Hours
Ever tried to meet a professor for their office hours and they aren't there? It's frustrating. I tend to email ahead now as default, because I refuse to let them waste my time by not being there.
8. Not responding promptly to emails.
This is your job, it is only professional to respond to your students emails in a timely fashion. There have been professors I've had to email multiple, multiple times, and then finally corner them after class or in their office to get a straight answer. COME ON.
9. Not understanding computer/laptop/power point/excel/projectors/etc.
I'm not sure if this is more of a reflection of the individual professor, or if it's a reflection on the institution itself for not having crash courses for their professors to keep up with ever evolving technology, but damn. It is a struggle to have to stumble through or completely halt class because some professors don't know how to use their technology!
10. Tenure.
I completely understand the longing for a secure position at a long term career, but this can harm more than help in some cases. Certain professors after they reach tenure seem to be care free, and it shows in their classes. They act like they couldn't give a flying f*ck about the course, or the students and just go through the motions. Tell me who that is benefiting? Their wallet, sure, but not the students who are paying for their education.
While I love college, and have found help from many of my professors that go above and beyond for their students, these things happen too. Dealing with professors is equally rewarding, and utterly hateful, but it's a learning and character building experience to say the least.
