Dear Professor,

Do you remember that time I came into your office after the second test we had, which I had failed, just like the first one? I came into your office seeking help, because I had studied for that test for three days straight and felt completely prepared for it. You looked at me with judgmental eyes that didn’t believe a word I said. You simply sighed then looked up my grades on the computer, turned to me, looked me dead in the eyes and said “You might as well just drop my course, there’s no way you will pass.” I took your comment in stride and asked if you thought there was a better way for me to study for the next two exams. You told me to buy a study guide that basically had the same exact information as the textbook, but there was still a very slim chance that I wouldn’t fail the course. I sat there composed and gathered my thoughts, even though I just wanted to cry because if you had given up faith in my ability as a student, then what was the point? I politely thanked you for your time, left your office, walked to my car and cried.

This was the first time a professor had ever just given up on me, didn’t believe in me and completely made me feel embarrassed because I couldn't understand the material. I hope you felt just a twinge of regret after you said those words to me. After I gathered myself together, all I could think about was how mad I was. I turned my hurt and anger into drive; drive to pass this course just so you could see that I was better than whatever opinion you had of me. I studied and studied for the third test and got a B on it. I know you saw my smirk when you handed it back to me. I had already brought my failing grade up. Then I decided I didn't want to just barely pass the course so, I took your optional final exam and to see what would happen. I studied night and day for that test. Walked in with confidence and left with confidence, I knew I had gotten no less than a B on it. I passed your course, but I’m sure you already knew that.

I haven’t seen you since and I thought about writing this letter awhile ago to tell you the damage of your condescending words, but I didn’t because that letter would be filled with bitter, rude words that would have been no better than your own. Instead I want to thank you. Thank you for not believing in me, thank you for your harsh unnecessary words and thank you for being selfish. Your lack of compassion and helpfulness pushed me to be better and gave me motivation to accomplish something that I thought I needed your help to do. You lit a fire within that made me strive to prove to you and myself that I could do something that you seemed to think was impossible. So, thank you. While I hope you never talked to another student in the same manner, if you did, I hope you made them want to prove you wrong and that they rose above your words. Your words still ring in my head from time to time, and when they do I know that I’m about to accomplish something astounding.

My best regards,

The student who you thought would fail