Thinking about this always brings me back to my Honors English class in high school. It was the only English class I ever hated. No matter what, I always had more homework in that class than any other, even Geometry! Still, I worked diligently and turned in almost all the assignments on time. One could imagine my shock when the teacher walked up to my desk, loudly clapped their hands and announced to the now-attentive classroom that I ought to “stop being lazy and finish today’s work”. Red-faced and sullen, I continued the worksheet we were assigned in a stunned silence.
To their credit I was talking during class and, while they weren’t lecturing, that teacher was completely within their right to reprimand me. But shouldn’t they have done so without causing a scene? This is an extreme example but it no less illustrates the point: a poor learning experience will stick with you. It isn’t usually an abusive experience; most often a poor learning environment will stem from the fact that people are different and have different teaching and learning styles.
This isn’t another pointless internet rant or an attempt to bad-mouth our professors. They are, with incredibly few exceptions, hard-working, talented individuals to whom we owe if not our futures, then at least our academic success. They could be working with well-dressed people making large amounts of money for themselves; but instead they chose to come to a room full of people in sweatpants and frightening bedhead all so they could accomplish the undoubtedly frustrating task of instructing us and earn less money. Often times they certainly go unthanked but I will ensure this is not one of those times. Thank you.
Students:
Luckily there seems to be no shortage of tips on the matter. Here are some strategies from two sources I found (Fastweb and US News) as well as one I often use.
Talk to Your Professor
Always talk to the professor you’re having issues with. They are people too; they’ve had professors they didn’t mesh with. They’ll understand if you talk to them about your classroom issues. Examples include asking for visual aids or more practice problems; anything you feel could help you. Especially stop by their office hours for help with an assignment that’s giving you trouble or a concept you’re confused about. You could even state more directly what about their teaching style is difficult for you, as long as you do so with respect; and emphasis on the word respect. They don’t deserve to be treated with unkindness, regardless of how frustrated you are.
Find Intrinsic Interest in the Course
This won’t always work (some people love chemistry, others wouldn’t like it even if each class came with a free puppy) but I always do better when I try to find something I enjoy in the class. Try to see the beauty in equations that mathematicians are always talking about. Try making up funny stories for why the organic molecules are interacting. Do whatever you can to have fun with whatever you are doing, especially if it is a class you don’t enjoy and a professor you disagree with.
Hold Out as Long as You Can
Never give up too early. Withdrawing is the Big Red Button, something you use when all else fails. Usually, quitting the class isn't worth the bigger headache you’ll have if you get behind your curriculum. Besides, you may come out of the class with something useful, even if you don’t realize it yet. Try holding out for at least a couple weeks.
Professors:
I will confess that I do not have much experience in this area, but I can still clarify things which I have found frustrating as a student.
Never Ridicule Your Students
Remember my little anecdote at the beginning? While that may have succeeded in the short term, it also made me nervous about approaching teachers when I am struggling in their classes. This is something I still find myself struggling with. After all, if I can be putting my all into a class, doing well and still appear lazy, how could I possibly expect to approach someone who is aware that I am struggling, to keep my head above water? By all means, if there is an issue you wish to address with your student it is fully within your right to do so. But there is not any scenario I can think of where public ridicule is the means by which an issue should be addressed in a classroom setting.
Be Understanding If They Reach Out
If a student does talk to you about something in your teaching style that disagrees with them, please know that it isn’t a personal attack or a remark on you as a professor. The student is just trying to find help. The best example I can give is to pay attention to those surveys RIT hands out at the end of each semester. I’m sure most of you do, but it never hurts to mention. I’ve had friends who are a year or two apart find that nothing has changed with professors they have shared despite a widespread agreement on a certain issue with a class.
I hope this article helps us understand each other and ourselves more. Our struggles and our faults, will become easier to deal with once we can approach them with more empathy and insight. Like I said before, the intent of this article is not to add to the long list of internet rants. Instead, this is an attempt to improve our learning environments on both sides. Students: it is our job to pull our weight and push ourselves so the energies of professors don't go to waste. Professors: it is your job to inspire us students; to guide us through the winding path of learning so we may exit your lecture halls with not only the knowledge we came for, but also the wisdom we need to succeed.
