Let me begin this by saying I have never had an issue with a professor before. If I have issues in a class I’m generally good at knowing when the issue is me not studying enough, procrastinating, etc… This semester though, I’ve had by far the weirdest professor I have ever had. She’s a very intelligent professor and beyond qualified to teach the subject, that isn’t the problem. The class is also incredibly challenging, it’s a joke at my school that taking it will make you drop out (I have to take it to fulfill my degree requirements unfortunately). This would be fine, I know college isn’t meant to be easy, but the professor treats all of us as if we are the dumbest people alive. She spends the whole class period just reading from the text we were assigned and giving her interpretations, during which she asks us to comment on anything we want from the text. However, every single time someone offers their interpretation, builds connections, or comments on anything she finds a reason to tell them they’re wrong in the most unprofessional and condescending way she can. She refuses to tell us any expectations for essays, saying we should know how to write an essay by now (keep in mind this course counts towards our gen. ed. and not everyone is a English major). I scheduled a meeting with her in office hours to talk about the essay and she essentially called me dumb and incapable, also insulting several other professors at the school by name saying they’re clueless. She works on plays, so the students in the class who are in those plays are allowed to be on their phones the whole class period, walk in late, never get called on, etc. while the rest of us are punished strictly and berated for the whole lecture. I mentioned to another one of my professors that the semester has been rough because one of my professors and she immediately knew who it was and said in the 10 years she (the nice professor) started working at the school and she still fears her (my rude professor). Her ratings online have 50+ reviews, mainly saying the same things I have said in this so I know other’s have similar experiences with her.
I really don’t know what to do. The semester is almost over, but going to that class fills me with such intense anxiety. Last week she asked me to stay after class to tell me she’s annoyed that I look “miserable” in class and that I should “listen with a smile” which I personally found inappropriate, I never act annoyed or bored in her class and I don’t think I should be told to smile through the lecture as I’ve never seen anyone do that. I simply sit and listen to the lecture and take notes. She also said she wants to hear from me more, which I attempted to do today, only to have her interrupt me mid-sentence to insult me. I don’t know if this is serious enough to discuss with anyone at the school, but I’m starting to just dread waking up. It’s triggered my depression and anxiety, which I have up until this point been doing better with. Withdrawing isn’t an option, I’m almost done and I might as well finish. I just feel lost on what to do.
As you said the semester is almost over. Do what you have to to get through. If she wants to hear from you in class maybe make a comment agreeing with her on something. Just get up, get to class, and get it done. Try not to dwell on it. You are gong to face many unpleasant people in life and you just have to cope.
Once the class is over you can evaluate if you want to report her to the appropriate authority at your school. Good luck.
Your prof’s doppelgänger is teaching my D’s math class. They are constantly berated and told they are ignorant.
Get together with your peers for support and encouragement. I’m sure you are in good company with your feelings and it’s helpful to be able to vent and get support. Do your best to pass and move on.
I want to encourage you. You are going to be alright. You are doing great in recognizing this problem. You are taking steps for self care.
Yes, talk with counseling about your anxiety. Talk to tutoring, learning support services, ombudsman, dean of students about how to deal with rudeness, verbal abuse, get support.
I agree you should not be treated so rudely. Do students record lectures?
I would hope there is a code of conduct for civility by faculty.
There may be older students in your program who can support you, advise about assignments.
This class is like a storm and you need to prepare/protect yourself. It will pass.
I would change your storyline and react differently to her. Assume there is a lesson she is trying to convey about learning how to deal with difficult people and you only have until the end of the semester to figure it out. Being offended or feeling insulted is a chosen response. You’ll deal with lots of difficult people through life and some of those relationships don’t end based on the calendar. You may conclude that she is just a genuinely unpleasant person, but at least you will have done your best to navigate a challeging situation.
You’re taking this too personally. You must realize it’s not you, right? Laugh it off. I guarantee some day soon you will be telling stories about the worst prof you ever had. And as others have said, this is a valuable lesson for you. You will have to deal with jerks in life. Now is a good time to start.
Back in the Stone Age when I was in college, I had at least 3 college professors who were straight up horrible meaning little communication or learning on my part. It happens. Old college professors never retire, they just fade away. That being said, get through the semester, never take a class with them again, and focus on the amazing professors you are meeting and having the opportunity to work with.
Work with a counselor on campus who can keep you focused on shelving the negative thoughts you might encounter when dealing with professors such as this.
Treat yourself to a job well done- Get a coffee or a nice snack after that class or meet a friend who is also suffering. Maybe you can bond and laugh over the shared experience.
But she is. And sadly, so are her clones. They also are out there in the workforce and you likely will work for or with one at one point in time or other.
Gotta learn to deal with people like that for at least as long as it takes you to get away from them. I concur with advice given.
I agree with the others. Get through the semester the best you can and don’t take things personally. Most of us had a couple of horrible professors like that. I actually reported one and got nowhere. The bad experiences made me appreciate even more the excellent teachers, like my dad! (I had him for several engineering classes.)
And yes, you’ll have co-workers/bosses like that, most likely. Those people are more difficult because you have to deal with them longer than one semester.
I would also go to her office hours and “play the game”… Say that you are sorry that you look miserable…but you have a question about the essay and really want to do it the way she wants… you were thinking about writing about X and thought it was interesting what she said about X…would that be a good essay topic?
In the real world, you will end up with crazy colleagues and bosses…but you can learn to wait them out and/or move to a different job.
My DS is dealing with a similar situation in his Freshman Physics class. I’ve seen her emails to my son when he asks a simple question. She goes off on him - belittling him. Then has the audacity to say that he has never come to her office during office hours! My son says he won’t go to her office because he doesn’t want to get abused!
