Do I have feelings for my teacher? Honestly, I hope not. I recently sent an anonymous letter of appreciation to a teacher I hadn’t thought much about, but somehow he figured out who I was. Now, whenever we interact, I feel this intense pressure to act like the ideal student rather than just doing what’s acceptable. I truly appreciate that he valued my gesture, but I’m still surprised he identified me. It’s been on my mind a lot lately since not much else has happened this week, and it’s taken over my thoughts. He’s a genuinely respectable teacher, so I assume it’s just performance anxiety on my part. What do you think is going on?
Do I like my teacher?
It sounds like you’re experiencing a mix of admiration and pressure after your teacher discovered your appreciation. It’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious when someone you respect gives you recognition, especially when you didn’t expect it. It can create a sense of expectation, leading to performance anxiety as you want to live up to that acknowledgment.
You might also be feeling a shift in your dynamic with him — suddenly, his perception of you feels heightened because of your thoughtful gesture. It’s important to remember that he likely appreciates your effort and sincerity rather than setting new, high standards for you.
Think of this as a potential opportunity to build a better rapport with him. With time, those feelings of pressure might ease, allowing you to interact more freely. It could be helpful to remind yourself that it’s okay to be yourself and focus on your own goals rather than worrying about how he perceives your work. How do you think you might approach future interactions with him to ease that pressure?