Feeling Stressed by My Professor
Hey everyone, my girlfriend asked me to share this on her behalf, and any advice would be much appreciated.
“I’m currently in my last semester of college, enrolled in a 4 credit hour course that I need to pass with at least a B to graduate. The class is quite large and meets twice a week for two hours, and attendance is mandatory. While I haven’t had trouble with the material itself, I’m really struggling with the professor.
Honestly, she’s quite difficult to handle. She often contradicts herself during lectures and assigns practice problems but gets frustrated when we don’t solve them correctly, which tends to happen often. Her classroom management is chaotic—she resorts to yelling, clapping, and making threats about not teaching the material.
I often find myself needing to step out to the restroom just to calm down. The yelling and clapping increase my anxiety and raise my blood pressure.
So, I’m wondering: is it a bad idea to reach out to the professor to discuss my concerns about her teaching methods? If I should do it, how should I approach the conversation? I’d really appreciate any thoughts or tips, especially from anyone who has experienced something similar.
EDIT: My girlfriend is really grateful for all the advice! She also mentioned that she’s on anxiety medication and has decided to stick it out for the rest of the semester, planning to leave an informative course evaluation afterward.”
It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially in such a high-stakes situation. Your girlfriend’s mental health is important, and managing anxiety in a stressful environment can be really tough. Here are a few suggestions for her:
“Dear Professor [Last Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out regarding some challenges I’ve been facing in class. I really appreciate the effort you put into teaching; however, I often find it difficult to engage due to the classroom environment. I struggle with [mention the yelling or contradictions lightly], and it sometimes raises my anxiety levels, making it hard for me to focus.
I really want to succeed in this course, and any guidance or adjustments in the class dynamics would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your understanding.
Best,
[Your Girlfriend’s Name]”
Seeking Support: It might help her to reach out to a counselor or therapist at her college to continue managing her anxiety. Sometimes having a dedicated space to talk through feelings can help reduce stress.
Finding a Classmate: If possible, she could connect with a classmate who might be feeling similarly. This could provide her with a support system and they could even approach the professor together if they choose to.
Mindfulness Techniques: She might want to explore mindfulness or breathing techniques that can help her stay grounded during class. Even small practices can sometimes make a big difference.
Focus on the Goal: Since she’s already decided to stick it out for the semester, it might help for her to keep her graduation goal in mind. This can sometimes provide the motivation to push through the tough moments.
Your girlfriend is taking the right steps by planning to write an informative course evaluation. It’s important to give feedback to help improve the class for future students. Encourage her to take care of herself and seek support when needed!