First and foremost, thank you.
It is too often that professors lack passion. However, you were full of it. From the first day of the semester to the day of the final exam you were unwavering. Sometimes, admittedly most of the time, you were extremely intimidating, but it only made me try harder. I wanted your approval, but more than anything, I wanted to be a student that made you proud.
I did not always like your persistence. As a matter of fact, there were times that you were public enemy number one of the whole class. There were times you tore my work to pieces and I hated every single minute of it. I spent a significant amount of time wallowing in my own regret of picking your course. I considered making it a pass/fail class, or even withdrawing from your class because of the countless times I thought I just could not handle it. I spent so many nights hunched over my desk with the computer light dimmed to help my already strained eyes. My lukewarm coffee to my left and notes to my right as I tried to put together the best possible paper, that I may or may not have left for the last minute. Upon handing in my “masterpiece” you always told me what I needed to hear. You were not going to give me what I wanted, only what I deserved. I most definitely did not appreciate it at the time, but it prepared me for the future.
Regardless of my feelings then, I appreciate you now more than ever. You taught me how to form a work ethic. You not only taught me the worth of putting in true effort, but my worth as a student. You taught me that I will not always get everything handed to me on a silver platter like I did in high school. Because of you, I have watched myself grow as a better writer, critical thinker, and overall conscientious student. I look forward to handing you my work. Not because I love spending hours typing away on my laptop, but because I love knowing I made you proud. I get excitement out of knowing I improved.
Your unbiased opinion means more to me than my parents being proud of straight A’s. Why? Because you and I, we have no connecting bond other than this semester. All “teachery angst,” pen marks, and comments regarding my relentless comma splicing were because you knew I could do better and wanted to see me work to my full potential.
You love what you do, which I find rare. I have encountered so many teachers that are miserable from start to finish. However, you love every second of your career and project that onto me, and the rest of your students. I appreciate your endless dedication to your classes and to shaping us into better students. I may have not enjoyed every step of the way, but I understand how necessary you were to my learning process. I cannot express how much I now appreciate every moment of the semester that I spent in your class.
Sincerely,
Your Former Student
