It is a fact and you as a college student know that no two professors are alike. For the most part, they are generally easy to deal with. But there will always be this one prof you always think about whenever you hear the word ‘evaluation.’ You don’t know why but whenever she/he enters the classroom, you are always having a mini-heart attack (sometimes high-blood pressure rin).
Maybe because that prof you have in mind right now doesn’t know how to teach, or is always teaching but at a pace that no normal student can keep up to. Perhaps she/he skips the basics and teaches advanced lessons or she/he is narrating his/her life experiences— most of the time. You don’t agree with him/her, she/he is short-tempered, et cetera. Whatever the reason is, you are having a hard time dealing with she/he and it is affecting your academic behavior. For some reason— as what always happens, you also have this feeling that you need to keep up with him/her despite the grudge you are feeling towards him/her. But the question is, how?
Here are ways on how you can deal with challenging professors:
1. Keep in mind that ‘bad’ is different than ‘tough.’
Tough professors make you work to earn a high grade, bad profs won’t care about how you are doing in class. Tough prof are strict but considerate if you have valid reasons, bad profs won’t hear you out even if the academe validates your reason. Learn to know them better. Observe their way of teaching, the way they treat their students, the way they are inside the classroom. Never ever judge them by your first impression. With that…
2. Ask your classmates if they feel the same way towards her/him, too.
Do your classmates have the same impression towards your professor as you do? Perhaps, yes but one or two will always say ‘no, she/he’s cool nga eh’. If that’s the case…
3. Find a way to connect with him/her.
Sit in front. Find things that will make you like her/him— if not lessen your grudge towards him/her as a prof (do it for yourself, bes). Let her/him know that you are interested in the subject matter. Create a connection between the both of you and include your classmates. In this way, you will feel more comfortable with her/him. Then…
4. Do your part as a student.
Come in class early or at least don’t be late or absent. Do your assignments and study your lessons. Don’t do anything that she/he doesn’t like. Learn also about what kind of student you are. What you like and don’t like about professors— be reasonable. Also…
5. Do your best.
Indeed, difficult profs are frustrating at times but take it as a challenge. They aren’t reasons to give up. A positive attitude can go a long way. Withdrawing your class should always be the last resort. But if it ever came down to that, think that there is no assurance that you will be under a better professor once you drop out. Most importantly…
6. Learn the lesson.
You may not learn a lot from her/him on the subject matter she/he is teaching but think about the life lesson waiting to be gained from the experience. The virtue of patience and understanding as well as not giving up on people no matter how difficult they are to deal with. Open your eyes and mind for the better things.