Surviving College Professors
By Kate, age 19, New Hampshire
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
Unfortunately, though, college professors can be the thing you have to worry about the most. They're not your high school teachers - most of them have studied what they teach, even have a master's or doctorate in their field of study. Some of them are very serious about their work, while others are very laid back and fun. Either way, you can't take college professors lightly.
I had a professor who had her doctorate in Environmental Science. She was supposedly one of the college's best professors. The administration was proud to have her as a professor at their college and wouldn't budge if a student had a problem with her.
Of course, that student was me. Over the semester I had with her, she frequently acted as if she didn't know who I was and that I was an idiot. When I missed classes and e-mailed her to see what I missed and if I could make it up (because I'm a responsible student like that!), she never replied. When I confronted her in class, she acted as if I wasn't even a student in her class and she said I missed nothing. When the end of the year grades came, I was apparently missing worksheets from that class I had missed. Go figure!
That's not to say all professors are bad, though. I've had my share of great professors whom I love to talk about and wish I could have again. You will have those professors, too, but you will also get some you just can't stand. Some might just have a personality you don't get along with, some might even favor students, and you end up being her least favorite just because you don't have the same talent as everyone else in the class.
Unfortunately, professors who favor students is a problem in colleges, and one that is frequently overlooked. So, how do you survive these professors?
There is no set of rules for dealing with these professors. Everyone will have at least one. All you can do is try to make the best of it and hope that you don't end up with a bad grade just because they don't like you. Work hard, do the assignments, and at least you will have something to show for yourself. That way, people will know you did the same amounts of work, if not more, than the other students, and that the professor is clearly being unfair.
You won't like every professor you have, but make the best of it! Good luck!
