<p>D has a math teacher that has terrible ratings for calculus 141. Is there any chance to get a different teacher after classes start? All the classes are full and she is worried about having to stick it out with this professor. Drop/add only goes to the Friday after classes start. She is afraid that she is setting herself up for failure as she is taking it for a second time. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Is there another section that fits in her schedule that she can take if there is space? If so, keep checking since people do drop at the beginning. She can always try emailing professor she wants to get an override.</p>
<p>She probably knows all this…but if she has to keep the class, then be sure she attends all SI sections and goes to student tutoring center early on. This may help if it is a question of a teacher that is not good at communicating material. At this level, the quality of TA and SI student can make a big difference even if professor is not so great.</p>
<p>My son was in a higher level math class at another university and was having a difficult time with the professor. A friend recommended he go on MIT’s open courseware website and relisten to lectures on the same material. The friend also said to attempt the homework problem set BEFORE going to the class in which the material was to be taught so my son would know what to focus on. It took patience and few weeks, but gradually my son adjusted to the professor’s accent and realized his lectures were not about pluging & chugging, but approaching problems in different ways. And the “idiot” professor became appreciated for the depth he brought to the material. Anyway…if your student has to remain in that class using the open courseware to see the material presented by someone else could be a help.</p>
<p>Your child might be able to switch to another section as just because they are full now doesn’t mean they will be full later. Remember just like you people might drop the class and open a spot that you could take.</p>
<p>for the date students get dropped for nonpayment of fees. Almost invariably this will happen to someone. If your D really wants to switch, she might try just after midnight on that day (or after business hours if that’s when enrollments are dropped).</p>
<p>She might also consider asking the professor she prefers for an override. If there are more chairs than students, those are sometimes granted.</p>