Horrible Professor!

[phoenixnim]

I was curious if anyone else has dealt with this and what you did about it?

I just finished my Chem pre-req with the worst and hardest teacher. He never actually "taught" anything. Just threw a bunch of notes on the board. Things we did not learn and that were not part of our lectures, labs etc consistently showed up on our exams.

More than half of my class actually signed a petition to the Dean of Sciences at my school (and it would have been more of the class had I had enough time to talk to more people). And the only response we got was that she would discuss it with him.

It is incredibly frustrating that I studied my butt off and I had an A- the whole semester until the last two tests where more questions showed up that were not part of our curriculum, equalling an entire grade difference. I'm pretty sure I will end with a B or B+ average for the class. Which I would happily accept if it was my fault for not knowing the material.

But given that my entire class of 30 students all got the same 3 questions wrong on the last test, and we all met after our final and agreed on several questions on that test that we never saw before... that has to say more about the teacher, not us, I would think.

We've all gone to tutoring, and honestly that is the only way I have the grades I do. But there really is no way to prepare for a test that consistently has trick and new questions that were not part of the curriculum on it.

My program does accept a B, but it's the principle. Anyone ever have something like this happen to them?

[phoenixnim]

That sucks! When you put in A effort and your transcripts don't reflect that, it's an awful feeling. That being said...

You are absolutely, irrevocably 100% responsible for your own education. If the instructor never showed up for a single day of class, it is up to you to utilize all resources to learn the material as thoroughly as possible. The textbook is one way. The internet is another. Tutors are another. Study groups rock. Most schools offer learning/answer centers with tutors who are specialized for the course. Locating former classmates who are familiar with testing format and have great advice are another. It seems you take advantage of many of these already, but when you're a few points shy of an A, take a long, hard look at yourself and ask if you truly used every last one. There is always something you could have focused more on, or an avenue you didn't explore.

Sometimes, you can learn the material precisely how the book states it, but in practical application, you aren't as sure how to exercise concepts as you think. With chemistry, this can be especially true, and oftentimes, inevitable.

I know it might be frustrating, but consider this prep for the futility of "select all" and situational applications of knowledge in nursing. Unless you've taken nclex-style tests before, I can't express how ridiculous, confusing and soul-crushing it can be to do EVERYTHING you're supposed to do and more, and still barely muster a B.

Your instructor may very well be worthy of blame. However, this line of thinking will not help you when it comes to nursing. You *HAVE* to learn new ways of learning and reinforcing information. Tests aren't designed for people to get an A...they exist for you to fight tooth and nail for a B. Your standards are high, and that is AWESOME. Don't lose that. But also understand that you will be a more successful nursing student if you adapt to the rigors of a curriculum that is completely different from "memorize/regurgitate verbatim."

Good luck to you, OP. Drive and determination are things you can't "teach" someone. You've either got it or you don't, and it appears as though you have it in spades!

Nekozuki,

I fully admit I'm a bit prickly at the moment due to the stress of coming off of a tough semester, but I'd like to address/clear up a few things.

I couldn't help but feel some of your post came across as being directed to a younger student that is likely accustomed to standardized testing.

I'm 32 years old. I'm a single Mom of two young kids. "Back in my day" there wasn't a push for all this standardized testing, "leave no child" behind BS that goes on now. So, really, I don't know anything about this whole "memorize/regurgitate verbatim" of which you speak, because I'm an older student and my testing has always been done by application, so I feel that already gives me a leg up.

I was able to figure out some of the "trick" questions on the test just by using the foundation of principles.

And I actually did utilize everything you said. I had a great lab group and study group, I sought out other students, but that doesn't help because it's complete dart throwing of what ends up on his tests. I never looked at his study guides because I knew there would ALWAYS be stuff that came up on tests that was never listed, so I busted my butt studying EVERYTHING.

I'd have no problem accepting a grade I was responsible for.

But I'm PAYING for an education. I expect to receive one. That is where my biggest problem lies. I do not agree that it is solely on me to teach myself all the material. What in the world do we have teachers and professors for then? Why am I paying for an education if I can just go teach myself? I cannot agree with that part of your post at all. I do not expect to be taught answers, but I DO expect to be taught the tools to be able to figure out the answers.

[rmariee]

I had a chemistry instructor just like this. She would consatantly tell us that most of us will fail her class. She encouraged us to drop out. She would make fun of students for asking questions and give us a hard time. She was rude and would go so fast.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Well, just a warning but a lot of nursing classes in programs like that. I had an instructor who put power points up, read straight from them and that was it. It would be a 75 minute lecture on 150 pages. I was still responsible for all of the reading, learning all the labs/values, and doing well on the test. There will be a LOT of things that your nursing instructors may not have time to cover in class but you are still expected to know. You won't be spoon fed all the info.

[nekozuki, LPN]

I couldn't help but feel some of your post came across as being directed to a younger student that is likely accustomed to standardized testing.

Not at all. I was comparing your situation to the unique experience of nursing school. Many of my classmates had degrees and backrounds in chem, bio and even pre-med, and still failed out of nursing school. I am not trivializing your hard work or intelligence. I can only stress that the nursing curriculum is unlike anything else, and you may very well find yourself in this situation again.

This is not an attack on you, nor is it excusing the professor. But you will find, as you leaf through these forums from pre-nursing all the way up to BSN, that this problem doesn't go away. Instead of simply giving sympathetic words, I wanted to offer you something more constructive. Like you said, you're not a typical "fresh outta 12th grade" student, so it might be more beneficial to find ways to cope with an instructor that falls short, because you WILL hear these sentiments echoed louder and louder as you continue your education.

Should instructors do a better job preparing you? Absolutely. Will they always? Probably not.

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

I think, as an older student, I feel ripped off when the instructor doesn't teach. Even if I am using grants to pay, I paid into that money with my taxes from age 14 on. I'm 33. It's ridiculous when instructors don't teach. I PAID FOR THEM TO TEACH. I should not have to instruct myself unless I choose to do so. Period. I should be expected to utilize all the tools available to me, yes, but those should not be my only tools. Yes, I'm well aware that life isn't fair, however, I'm also a consumer. I deserve to receive what I pay for. Everybody jumping on the OP for not earning her A with zero instruction, raise your expectations of your education. This is not FREE! The money is coming from somewhere, and you deserve to get what you are paying for.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I think, as an older student, I feel ripped off when the instructor doesn't teach. Even if I am using grants to pay, I paid into that money with my taxes from age 14 on. I'm 33. It's ridiculous when instructors don't teach. I PAID FOR THEM TO TEACH. I should not have to instruct myself unless I choose to do so. Period. I should be expected to utilize all the tools available to me, yes, but those should not be my only tools. Yes, I'm well aware that life isn't fair, however, I'm also a consumer. I deserve to receive what I pay for. Everybody jumping on the OP for not earning her A with zero instruction, raise your expectations of your education. This is not FREE! The money is coming from somewhere, and you deserve to get what you are paying for.

I understand this frustration and that education is not free but technically, you are being taught. You may not like the way you are being taught or that your instructor doesn't cover everything in the book but that's part of. It wasn't like that in high school, it sure isn't going to be like that in college.

[samist]

What can you do? I remember my chemistry teacher didn't teach important things like bonding, VESPR, etc. instead she chose to lecture on the mole map for 2-3 consecutive months out of the semester. I knew that we had to teach ourselves, and that was fine by me however I can't learn chemistry when the teacher doesn't cover the basic concepts or fundamentals, and our textbook was ultimate garbage. Needless to say I passed with a B. But I enjoyed my organic chemistry experience my teacher was awesome.

That's college and beyond for you. You worked hard for your B+. If any school won't admit you then another one will, so long as YOU understood the material, which you do. Don't stress, my mom always tells me "you complain about Prof X now, but there are millions of people just like him, get used to it".

[Medic/RN2B]

I know exactly how you feel. I have to retake micro this summer because of a crappy teacher. ...if thats what you want to call her. I had a B the entire class until the last exam which dropped me to a C. This was an online course too. You couldn't ever get her to email you back about anything and when she did she was so rude. I have bad test anxiety and I asked her if she knew any suggestions for me or encountered this before and she said get a tutor. Literally that was all the reply said! I dont need someone to teach me the material!!! Anyways I looked at my final grade yesterday and I got dropped to a D!!!! By 1% because she drops our 3 lowest quiz scores which is fine for the people who did bad but I didnt have any low quiz scores so it dropped my grade 10 point...the 1% im so furious I want to email the dean or something. That isnt right! So I am signed up to take it over....very frustrated!!!

[samist]

I know exactly how you feel. I have to retake micro this summer because of a crappy teacher. ...if thats what you want to call her. I had a B the entire class until the last exam which dropped me to a C. This was an online course too. You couldn't ever get her to email you back about anything and when she did she was so rude. I have bad test anxiety and I asked her if she knew any suggestions for me or encountered this before and she said get a tutor. Literally that was all the reply said! I dont need someone to teach me the material!!! Anyways I looked at my final grade yesterday and I got dropped to a D!!!! By 1% because she drops our 3 lowest quiz scores which is fine for the people who did bad but I didnt have any low quiz scores so it dropped my grade 10 point...the 1% im so furious I want to email the dean or something. That isnt right! So I am signed up to take it over....very frustrated!!!

If you have bad testing anxiety I would not take it online again. Depending on the school where you take it at night be able to accommodate your needs. I am allowed to have testing accommodations but I never use it. But if you need it provide the documents and have them accommodate you.

[Medic/RN2B]

I dont have any other option. I have no family support besides my hubby who works long hours and drives 2 hours one way to work as an Army recruiter and I am a stay at home mom. I have no one to watch my son. Plus I did just fine in all my other online classes(well it wasnt easy but I got all B's). Passed chem online accelerated 8 week course with a B. It is just this micro instructor. Im not the only one who has issues with her. I still have to go to campus to take proctored exams....I am getting better at my anxiety and learning different techniques.

[Medic/RN2B]

Oh and I am not signed up to take it over with her lol. Im doing it this summer.

[samist]

I dont have any other option. I have no family support besides my hubby who works long hours and drives 2 hours one way to work as an Army recruiter and I am a stay at home mom. I have no one to watch my son. Plus I did just fine in all my other online classes(well it wasnt easy but I got all B's). Passed chem online accelerated 8 week course with a B. It is just this micro instructor. Im not the only one who has issues with her. I still have to go to campus to take proctored exams....I am getting better at my anxiety and learning different techniques.

Oh no . I feel you on the commute, my dad used to commute a lot, at one point I used to commute over an hour and half to school and I was full time with a heavy course load.