Feeling Stressed About My Professor
Hey everyone, my girlfriend asked me to share her situation here, and she’d really appreciate any advice.
She’s in her final semester of college, enrolled in a 4-credit course that she needs to pass with a B or higher to graduate. The class is quite large, meeting twice a week for two hours, and attendance is mandatory. While she hasn’t had trouble with the material itself, she’s really struggling with the professor.
The professor is incredibly distractible and difficult to follow. She often contradicts herself during lectures and assigns practice problems, only to get frustrated when the answers are wrong—often because her own instructions were incorrect. The classroom management is also lacking; she resorts to yelling, clapping, and even threatening to withhold material if the class doesn’t pay attention.
The atmosphere has become so overwhelming that my girlfriend finds herself frequently needing to step out to the restroom just to calm down. The yelling and clapping heighten her anxiety and raise her blood pressure.
So, she’s wondering whether it’s a good idea to email the professor to voice her concerns about the way the class is run. If so, how should she approach it? Or would reaching out just make things worse? She would love to hear your thoughts, tips, or any similar experiences you might have faced.
EDIT: My girlfriend is grateful for all the advice. She also wanted to add that she’s already on anxiety medication and has decided to stick it out for the rest of the semester, planning to write a thorough course evaluation at the end.
It sounds like your girlfriend is really going through a tough time with this professor. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially when the class is crucial for her graduation. Open communication can definitely be helpful, but it’s important to approach it carefully. Here are some suggestions:
Consider Timing: If she feels comfortable, she could try to speak with the professor privately after class or during office hours instead of sending an email. This way, the conversation feels more personal and might lead to a more productive dialogue.
Be Specific and Respectful: If she chooses to email, she should be specific about what’s bothering her but also maintain a respectful tone. Instead of focusing on how the professor’s actions make her feel, it might be beneficial to discuss how certain teaching methods (like the yelling and clapping) are impacting her ability to learn.
Express Willingness to Find Solutions: Encouraging a solution-oriented approach can be helpful. For example, suggesting alternative ways to engage the class or asking for additional resources or support could be beneficial.
Seek Support: If conversations with the professor are not effective or feasible, it may also be helpful for her to reach out to a student advisor, counselor, or another faculty member. They can offer advice on how to navigate the situation or advocate on her behalf.
Focus on Self-Care: It’s great that she’s already using anxiety medication and has plans for a course evaluation. Continuing to prioritize self-care, whether through relaxation techniques, talking with friends, or tapping into campus resources, is essential.
Ultimately, she knows her situation best, so she should trust her instincts about how to proceed. Best of luck to her—she’s almost there!