Chain of command

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Feb 26, 2016

You can put in an appeal to drop the class. There is a process and it allows you to outline why you feel you should drop this class. If you are allowed to drop you can retake it next semester. My daughter had a similar problem and you can complain but the only way out is to appeal to drop. Good luck!

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2016

"Unfair"

"Unjust"

"Complaining"

"Professor doesn't teach us anything"

Those are all red flags to me. While I've had my share of poor instructors, through 3 courses of academic study at 4 different campuses, I've yet to have one on which I could honestly hang the label of "doesn't teach us anything" and I'm skeptical that this label applies in this case.

Unfair/unjust... so your complaint is that someone else has it easier than you do? Would you feel happy about it if they were facing similar rigor? Or is it that you really would prefer to have it easier?

I've heard these comments for 30 years, and some directed at teachers under whom I was studying and I'm largely of the opinion that it's a reflection on the student just as much - and usually more - than on the teacher.

Rather than complaining about it being unfair (which complaint is not likely to improve your lot), look at it as an opportunity to shine in front of this teacher. Get to know him/her a bit and see what they have to offer. Quite likely, they have substantial experience and wisdom to share, if you engage them.

Accept your lot, work your butt off, and dazzle them. Rise to the challenge rather than shrinking from it and looking for cover under the "unfair" label.

And your mom was right... life is not fair... accept it.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

Totally agree with Kindaback. Learning to succeed even when things are not "perfect" may serve you better in the long run than a random note on page 235 of your Pathophysiology book. Figure out what is expected and complete task.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Feb 29, 2016

Hi everybody.
I have a question and would like your feedback.
I am in a research class (this is undergrad) and I am having the most difficult time. There are three different sections of this class offered, two lecture classes and one online class. The online class was supposed to be offered for students who already have a degree, but was open to everyone.
Here is my issue. I understand that these classes are all taught by a different professor and each have their own teaching styles; but I feel like I got the short end of the stick.
In my class, we have have lecture once a week for three and a half hours. Attendance is not mandatory, and many students do not show up. We have a midterm, and a final, and two pages that are each supposed to be 15 pages. Our papers are due around the same time of the exams, all at once. Our professor does not teach us anything in class, and when asked for help with our papers, she tells us to refer to our book.
The other lecture class has weekly vocabulary quizzes, a final, and a paper. I heard the quizzes are annoying since they have to memorize so many words, with no guarantee with knowing what is on the quiz. They have a few pages due every other week for their paper, so they work up to their final total.
The online class has no quizzes or exams. They have little assignments (like 2 pages tops) each week due.
The online class, and other lecture class students all have a general understanding of what they are doing for their papers. Whereas each student in my class is so lost, we have no idea what we are doing.
We took our first exam recently, and every felt so badly after it, and the professor said she was going to curve (which is against college policy); which shows to me the class is unfair.
So my question is, how should I go about complaining about this? I want to go to the Dean of my college and complain about how this one research class is not uniform. It is unjust how students who do not have to go to class each week have the easiest route, and the two groups who have a weekly lecture have a harder class.
I am already in talks to meet with my professor individually, but am I in the wrong for wanting to talk to the Dean to bring awareness to them about this?
I would really appreciate everyone's input. Thank-you

Here are a few scenario which you may not have considered:

1. Your instructor might be teaching the class according to the rules, and the other two teachers may be slacking.

2. Your Dean may have personally approved of (or is overseeing) what your instructor is doing, and by going to the Dean, you are unwittingly walking into a Very Awkward "Oops" of a situation. Like, Really, really awkward.....

With the right attitude and timing, you can go directly TO your instructor and state that you and others are not finding the help from the book that she states is there. Could she, perhaps, refer to specific page numbers for an explanation of a confusing concept.

You can wind up going down a lot of rabbit holes when you're first trying to learn research. Your perseverance will pay off huge dividends in the long run.

I recommend that you do not go behind your instructors back.

If you're interested, there is a book/course called "Crucial Conversations" that will help you manage these very types of situations throughout your entire career.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

I would speak to the professor about the curve if that is against school policy, and take that up the chain if need be. I've been against curves myself since high school; my chemistry teacher talked about how in college, EVERYONE got >95% on some exams because they were all brilliant chem majors. But due to the curve, someone with a solid A by percentages got a C because maybe they got a 96% and half the class got 98-100%. On the flip side, if everyone does poorly some get points they didn't earn.

ETA: if you do speak to the prof, be respectful. Don't be confrontational. Maybe "I just had a question...I thought curves weren't used here? Or did I misunderstand that? What happens in situations where everyone gets an A percentage--does anyone lose points for getting a *low* A? That's what concerns me about grading on a curve."

As for the discrepancy between instructors, life's not fair. Worry about your own work and know that you're going to know the material better than those who don't have to do any. Often times, you get out of classes what you put into them.

thatnursedude · Mar 5, 2016

I totally understand where you are coming from, and agree with what you are saying.

I actually have built a really good relationship with this professor, and I am going to go in and speak with them when classes resume after break.

I'm just annoyed that the other two sections of this class are learning the material. I'm teaching myself all I can (and not succeeding since I failed the midterm we took), and have been seeking help from the professor but all I ever get told is "look it up in the book". I'm just irritated that I am taking a class and not learning, where the two other groups are.

If I were to fail by a slight margin but learned all I could then the error is on me. I just hate that I am failing and not learning a thing.

Thanks again for your reply.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2016

My suggestion is to approach her with a question AFTER you have looked it up in the book. That way the conversation can't end with "go look it up". When she tells you to look it up, explain what you found in the book on the topic. Then ask her to clarify specific points that you feel need more explanation. She may be more forthcoming with information if you prove you've sought out the information yourself before coming to her. If she still doesn't offer support, then you may have grounds to escalate the situation.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2016

I'm just annoyed that the other two sections of this class are learning the material. I'm teaching myself all I can (and not succeeding since I failed the midterm we took), and have been seeking help from the professor but all I ever get told is "look it up in the book".

I'm curious... how did the teacher respond when you told him/her that you've been putting in the book time but still struggling and are therefore requesting further assistance? I haven't met too many teachers that don't respond favorably to a struggling student earnestly seeking guidance.

I just hate that I am... not learning a thing.

This statement is revealing because you *should* be learning quite a bit out of the book. Even the most poorly written text has some worthwhile information.

Go ask for help... very specific help... and be prepared to recite the information from the book as evidence that you have "looked it up in the book" and simply need more assistance.

And do some attitudinal-soul-searching because many of your extreme statements suggest that your attitude toward the topic, class, and/or teacher are working against you.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Mar 6, 2016

So my question is, how should I go about complaining about this? I want to go to the Dean of my college and complain about how this one research class

Such a complaint isn't likely to yield anything positive for you. That said, if you are dead-set on complaining to the dean, I would start by being very clear for yourself what you are hoping to get out of such a complaint. I would also be extremely careful to be limited and moderate in your complaint, and stay away from "it's not fair." Your posts make extreme statements which generally suggest that much of the problem is with you as much as with the teacher. Keep in mind that the teacher is likely a known commodity to the dean while you are a complete unknown.

And really, nobody is much interested in a student throwing around labels like "unfair" and "unjust."

am I in the wrong for wanting to talk to the Dean to bring awareness to them about this?

You're not necessarily 'in the wrong' but keep in mind that the dean is very busy and all other avenues should be exhausted before taking it to that level. Teachers generally have a lot of latitude in how they teach their classes and, unless you have specific examples of problematic behavior, you're not likely to find the dean very receptive.

jayrow · Mar 10, 2016

This sucks. I've been there more than once. And it always goes over better when I try to work with the professor than against him/her. In essence, I agree with the others.

And if you HAVE built up a good relationship with this person already, use it to your advantage...it does appear that you did get the short end of the stick here, but it happens to all (well, most) of us at some point or another.

You could always try to switch/drop/fight your way through the nonsense with the school bureaucrats. But I truly think you will gain more from putting your efforts into working with this seemingly unreasonable person: rather than criticizing, go to office hours/arrange alternate hours, send emails/call or text, do what you can to show you're invested.

once I have put in this effort, I can't think of a time a professor has refused to work with me. Good luck :)