Class "personality"

[jmqphd]

OK... I'll throw this out here and see if others have noticed this or have opinions.

Obviously, each individual student is just that... an individual. But collectively, have you noticed that each class seems to have their own over-arching nature, or (for lack of a better word) personality?

Our current class of students are always alarmed and angry and seem to be world-class victims. Everything is awful and nothing is their fault. (Faculty at each level have been emotionally drained by this class. We are going to be so glad to see them go!)

The previous class was so easy going they were almost passive. I found myself wanting to grab them and say... "don't you get it?!!! You need to apply yourself!!! You are not passing the course!!!!" (But they all did, and are all passed the NCLEX and all are doing well.)

Has this been your experience?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I definitely notice it, even though my teaching is mostly online. Each class (and each discussion group) has its own "personality" and/or "culture."

Some are a joy to work with and I wish I could get to know them better and work with them long after the semester is over. Others are painful and draining to work with and the end of the semester can't come soon enough for any of us.

[SRDAVIS]

This is very true, this class that I'm teaching now until Aug is draining and the life out of me. I have considered going back to the bedside until I complete my masters next year because after clinicals or lecture I have NOTHING left. My last class was a breeze. Now on the flip side this current class keeps me on my toes my last class took whatever I said I was kind of scared for them. But they have all passed boards and are all doing well.

I guess that's how it is. But I'm exhausted, to the point of wondering is this what I really want to do.

[jmqphd]

Wow! Yesterday gave last exams to this very angry "I-can-out-victim-you" class, and today met the incoming seniors. What a totally different group!!! Happy and enthusiastic. Asked good questions. My colleague and I both noticed how being in the classroom was not nearly as painful as it was with the other group.

Thank heavens!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Maybe the class picks up messages from one another and decides that is the norm so adopts the attitude? That is true in the working world. One bad apple spoils the bunch. I would recommend making it clear what behaviors are acceptable. But you have limited ability to reform them, unfortunately.

[jmqphd]

This is very true, this class that I'm teaching now until Aug is draining and the life out of me. I have considered going back to the bedside until I complete my masters next year because after clinicals or lecture I have NOTHING left. My last class was a breeze. Now on the flip side this current class keeps me on my toes my last class took whatever I said I was kind of scared for them. But they have all passed boards and are all doing well.

I guess that's how it is. But I'm exhausted, to the point of wondering is this what I really want to do.

It must be really tough to be dealing with the rigors of graduate school and simultaneously deal with students. You have my deepest admiration and sympathy. I know August must seem like an eternity away.