How do you deal with a Professor...

z's playa · Oct 11, 2005

Dear J:

I just don't go to the class. Probably not what you wanted to hear but I passed with a good mark. There really isn't anything you can do. The prof doesn't have a switch that would enable her to become upbeat..that's for sure

Maybe you could suggest she make her lectures more interactive ie...question answers type thing. That way she is "forced" to direct her class TO you rather than AT you.

I dunno *shrug..lol

Good luck

Z

hollykate · Oct 11, 2005

well, being bored is not going to kill you for sure. i was required to attend class or face expulsion from the program. so, just go and take a dose of "suck it up and deal" i know that probably isn't what you want to hear, but really, it isn't so bad to be bored. sit in the back, and bring a seperate book and read that, or write letters to your grandma (looks as if you are taking notes and makes grandma happy), etc.

cherokeesummer · Oct 11, 2005

Yeah we had a teacher like that - she was great but she ran on and on on different tangents - she said um so much - I'm telling you now one night I was so bored I counted and she said it 20 some times in 5 minutes - no kidding.

She is knowledgeable, I enjoyed her during clinicals but she just is ditzy...majorly!

So, while I was going insane after a full day of work and then a 3 hour night lecture from her, I usually took notes or did something else while she talkd about other stuff on different tangents.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2005

Put your hand up in the air or just call out questions for her to answer. Tell her you aren't understanding something or ask "why" questions. Otherwise don't go to class with a full stomach or you're going to be nodding off to sleep.

I've been in and out of a lot of classes over the years. It sounds like this new instructor was given the curriculum that was developed for this class and is reading from it. Many educational departments do this so all the different instructors are on the same wavelength insofar as what is being taught. Since she's new she probably hasn't had time to really look the material over and prepare a more creative presentation. Most likely, she was given this powerpoint presentation and told this is what is to be emphasized in the class. Of course, I could be totally wrong and she may just be incredibly boring and uncreative. :crying2:

SusanJean · Oct 11, 2005

I've had profs like this before - if I have to be in class, I take notes, even if I know the material, just to stay awake. Fortunately, I have not had one like this in nursing school.If they are tenured, there is probably little you can do about it. If there is an end of semester survey, put your suggestions there...not that it would do any good at this point...

AussieTina · Oct 11, 2005

I have a similar problem

Our lectures are all recorded at the main campus then we can either do them over the internet or go into uni and listen to them there (on a big screen).

My problem though is that the lecturer does not have english as his first language and i (or many of my classmates) just cannot understand a word that he says!

He is teaching pharmacology which is a hard and complex subject anyway!

Anyway, back on to the original post.

I just do the lecture slides and the readings and hope and pray that i am not missing anything by not doing the lectures.

Tina

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Oct 11, 2005

Oh man, are you in my class??? I have the exact same problem but I'm in my last semester. There's not much you can do unfortunatly. You have to find a way to make the lecture meaningful to you (as boring as it is). Have you tryed coming in without the powerpoint notes and take the notes yourself? I try and bring along good snacks so at least I won't fall asleep lol.

or write notes from the book while your following along with her lecture.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 11, 2005

I've had one like this one too. Unfortunately, I do not miss class and yes it attendance is part of my overall grade so...........

I sit there, and bring other homework to work on and use my time wisely. I tune the instructor out and either read the power points to myself and study them myself....or work on something else.

Never roll your eyes at the insructor, or be rude either.

Sorry this is the best I could come up with.

Good luck :)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2005

Come right out and ask the instructor if she can give a break half way through.

As for the actual lecture, I wish powerpoint was never invented. lol I can read; I need someone to teach.

Oh well, just learn what you can on your own, and good luck! :)

grannynurse FNP student · Oct 11, 2005

that has been teaching for 20+ years, is new to your institution and puts the entire class into a coma in 15 minutes flat. She does nothing but READ to us our powerpoint lecture notes (which we download from home and bring before class). She speaks ultra-slow, with an "um" inserted between every other word. I feel like this class (N. Fundementals) is a HUGE waste of my time because I am learning nothing in this class I couldn't have taken straight from the book or notes. I am not the only one that feels this way, for sure. It is a very large class, 90 minutes twice per week...and we don't even get a 5 minute break to try and regain circulation to our comotose limbs...ugh.
How do you all deal with "this" professor? ...or one you've had like this. I don't want to feel like I am wasting my time and would like to maintain a good attitude. I try to mask the way I feel and have only voiced my opinion to a few close friends...after all your experience is what you make it. So any suggestions to make it better? Aside from studying for the next class? lol
Thanks,
~J

Didn't say if you were in a two or four year program. Hate to tell you this but most four year programs do not hire and grant tenure based on the ability to teach but rather on the ability to obtain research grant monies. Grant monies are the life blood of most colleges and universities. Without it, you wouldn't have a program to attend. Sorry, only suggestion I can offer is to suck it up, sit in the back and study for another class.

Grannynurse:balloons:

RNin2007 · Oct 12, 2005

Thanks...interesting perspectives! lol I like the "take a dose of suck it up"....that is probably good advice for me. I guess I need to get used to situations that I am not totally in control of. It will likely prepare me for critical care =). Also interesting on the grant monies, hmmm. Yes it is a 4 year institution.

Unfortunately she allows us no breaks. She said if we MUST we can get up and quietly leave to use the restroom but if she gives us a break she said we probably won't ever make it back from the ladies room (55:6) female/male ratio.

Sigh...I guess I will continue what i've been doing...skipping breakfast (yes to avoid falling asleep!) and studying for my other classes and chime in with my other ear when I hear her say something worth writing down (which isn't often, sadly).

Thanks again!

~J