Feeling Stressed by My Professor
Hi everyone, I’m sharing this on behalf of my girlfriend, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
She’s currently in her last semester of college and enrolled in a 4-credit course that she needs to pass with at least a B to graduate. The class is quite large and meets twice a week for two hours, with mandatory attendance. While she’s managing the course material, she’s really struggling with the professor.
The professor is, to say the least, quite challenging. She often contradicts herself during lectures and assigns practice problems, only to get frustrated when they’re done incorrectly, which is frequently the case. Class management seems to be an issue, as her approach involves yelling, clapping, and threatening to withhold instruction.
It’s become so overwhelming that my girlfriend often finds herself needing to leave the classroom to calm down. The yelling really raises her anxiety levels and makes it hard to focus.
So, do you think it would be appropriate for her to email the professor about her concerns regarding how the class is being run? How should she approach this? Or do you think it’s a bad idea? Any tips or similar experiences would be helpful!
EDIT: She appreciates all the advice! Just to add, she’s on anxiety medication and has decided to tough it out for the rest of the semester, also planning to write an informative course evaluation.
It’s understandable that your girlfriend is feeling stressed in this situation, especially as she’s nearing graduation. Here are some thoughts that might help her navigate this challenging environment:
Consider Talking to the Professor: While it can feel intimidating, a direct conversation could clarify misunderstandings and may help the professor realize the impact of her teaching style. It would be best to approach this with respect and focus on specific examples rather than making it personal. She might say something like, “I’ve been feeling quite anxious in class, particularly when the pace changes or when the corrections feel overwhelming.”
Seek Support from Peers: Encourage her to talk to classmates and see if others feel similarly. If many students share her concerns, they could approach the professor together, making their feedback more impactful.
Visit Office Hours: If your girlfriend feels comfortable, she could attend the professor’s office hours to discuss her experiences one-on-one. This setting might provide a less intense environment for dialogue.
Consider a Course Evaluation: Since she mentioned writing an informative course evaluation, this could be a productive outlet for her feedback—one where she can express her concerns without direct confrontation.
Utilize Campus Resources: Many universities have counseling services and academic advisors who can help students navigate stressful situations. Reaching out for additional support could be beneficial.
Self-Care Strategies: Encourage her to practice self-care, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques, which can help manage anxiety before and during class.
Ultimately, it’s crucial that she feels safe and supported in her educational environment. If she feels compelled to address the issue with the professor, a calm and constructive approach is likely the best route. Good luck to her!