Hello, everyone. I am a freshmen at a state university. I am a straight A student. However, I am enrolled in Macroeconomics this semester and am having issues with the class. I study so much for this class. My efforts are not paying off. The professor is very disorganized and forgetful, and I feel that if I had a different professor I would be getting an A. I got an 86 on the first exam and an 84 on the second exam. The way that he words his test questions is very confusing in itself. I will obviously still continue to work hard in the class, but should I just accept the fact that in some classes no matter how hard I work I will not get an A?
This bothers me so much because, like stated before, I know that if I had a different professor I would be getting an A in this class. The material is not hard. The professor over-complicates things. I have gone to his office hours. I have done everything. This also bothers me so much, as I want to get into a top 10 law school program, and I feel that my chances are already diminishing, and it is only my first semester of college.
However, is this a bad professor or does the professor style just not mesh with you?
Disorganized - how is he disorganized? How does that affect you?
Forgetful - How does that affect you?
Confusing wording - is this tricky wording? or poorly worded?
Are others in the class doing well? Can you form a study group with them?
Also look on ratemyprofessor and see in general what others have to say. Not saying that this is reliable data, but it might give you an idea of what others think.
If you truly think that this professor is way beyond the norm, talk to the Dean of Students or the Dept Head. But don’t go in with the attitude of “I am an A-Student, I should get A’s” but “I am having trouble figuring out how to work with Professor X. I have gone to his office hours every week but I really feel as though he over-complicates things. For example I also am feeling he is disorganized, for example, we didn’t get the syllabus until the 3rd week of class. He also forgot to bring back our test until 3 weeks after the test, so we didn’t get feedback before the next test. Also his test wording is very confusing…I know I am a freshman but would you be willing to take a look just to make sure?”
But if it is more “He forgot our tests one day but brought the next and was disorganized because the technology wasn’t working that day and the wording was confusing because you didn’t read carefully and he “overcomplicates things” because he is explaining it in more depth” then you have to suck it up.
You have to figure out if he is so far out of the norm that it is worth talking to someone about. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it is just a tough professor.