My Chem teacher is making me doubt myself, and class has not even started

ThatPoshGirl · Jul 23, 2008

So I emailed my chem teacher explaing that I have a difficult courseload and a full time job, and I wanted to get a head start on my studies. I asked him what book we are using and if he recommends any supplemental material.
He started off great giving me the text and other books and saying how it is his job to help me understand chem. Then boom he totally changed and he said "your not alone alot of students put chem off to the end for fear of it (which is an incorrect assumption)." Then he said "you do indeed have a heavy load, I hope your not setting yourself up for a fall!!!!!!" that is a direct quote exclamation points and all.
So my questions are
1. should i respond to that e-mail? I mean obviously he was inappropriate and discouraging, but worse he thinks i'm a slacker and I think that could be a problem for me.
2. Am I setting my self up for a fall? I mean he doesn't even know that I am also taking A&P also and he made that comment. Alot of people have said the 2 are too much to take at once.
The funny thing is everyone says he is a great teacher. Why would he say that? I was really positive, but now I am totally doubting myself.

Well, first I am glad he is teaching chem and not English. I think he is just expressing general concern. If you feel like you can handle the course load and your job then go for it. If you think you need to slow down a little then don't be afraid to do that.

Just evaluate your skills and goals honestly. If you are trying to get into a competitive program that admits on a point system, are you confident you can get the grades you need?

I think you know your limits better than anyone. I know that it is tempting to try to rush through your classes so you can finish faster. If you can handle it, great. But in the long one an extra semester or even an extra year isn't going to have that much of an impact.

mochabean · Jul 23, 2008

So I emailed my chem teacher explaing that I have a difficult courseload and a full time job, and I wanted to get a head start on my studies. I asked him what book we are using and if he recommends any supplemental material.
He started off great giving me the text and other books and saying how it is his job to help me understand chem. Then boom he totally changed and he said "your not alone alot of students put chem off to the end for fear of it (which is an incorrect assumption)." Then he said "you do indeed have a heavy load, I hope your not setting yourself up for a fall!!!!!!" that is a direct quote exclamation points and all.
So my questions are
1. should i respond to that e-mail? I mean obviously he was inappropriate and discouraging, but worse he thinks i'm a slacker and I think that could be a problem for me.
2. Am I setting my self up for a fall? I mean he doesn't even know that I am also taking A&P also and he made that comment. Alot of people have said the 2 are too much to take at once.
The funny thing is everyone says he is a great teacher. Why would he say that? I was really positive, but now I am totally doubting myself.

I think you're taking it too personally. According to what he said he just seems worried that you may have too much on your plate and I agree with him. Chemistry is challenging and you'll have to dedicate a little more time to it than your other studies. He should've chosen different words, but maybe his style is to be blunt(I'm guessing because I don't know him). You should just send him a thank you email and be grateful he sent you the information you asked for. You did the right thing by aiming to get a head start on the class and you should be proud of yourself. Even with a heavy courseload and a full-time job, it seems like you have a plan that you're putting into action. You should be proud ofaccomplinshing that! Don't ever doubt yourself!:icon_hug: :twocents:

benegesserit · Jul 23, 2008

Do you happen to know if the class is full, by any chance? I've noticed teachers, especially those of classes that have a waitlist, give big scare speeches at the beginning to get those students who aren't serious to drop and make room for the others. I wonder if that's what is happening here?

bekindtokittens · Jul 23, 2008

I didn't find his comment rude or discouraging. All he knows is what you told him--that you have a challenging course load, and you're also working full time. I know there are lots of people who make this schedule work, but in my opinion, for every person who succeeds in fitting 28 hours a day into 24, there's another couple of people who don't. If he's a good teacher, he's probably seen this happen many times before and is just showing concern for your academic career.

suanna · Jul 23, 2008

What's is so "inappropriate" about your instructor expressing concern about how your class load may impact your chances for success? You yourself brought up the concern that your time will be at a premium this term and you are trying to get a leg up before the term starts. Was he supposed to disagree with you? Would you have preferred he had told you "you will be just fine" even if he felt the course load was a bit heavy?. Be thankful you have an instructor that even cares- I doubt any of my profs would have responded to the e-mail let alone offered advice. I would thank him for his concern and advice and assure him you will try your best to give his course every bit of the effort it deserves.

Mexarican · Jul 23, 2008

"Let your haters be your motivators!!"

Mex

morte, LPN, LVN · Jul 23, 2008

i, as well, see nothing untoward in his email.....a lot of guys have a tendency to be a little short, and to the point.....remember this is email, no tone can be implied here.......is it your self doubt that you are "hearing"?

msdeannah · Jul 23, 2008

Ok so maybe I over reacted? For me an almost 30 year old student coming back into school, the last thing I want to hear is my teacher thinking I might fail. Oh well. I'll thank him like you guys said. And to be clear I only have 3 classes chem, A&P, and intro to computers (a requirement). I said full course load cause I know chem and A&P together will be a lot of work. But I'm sure I can do it. Especially since I started studying the materials for both classes.

Thanks guys.

CracklinRose · Jul 23, 2008

msdeannah, I am right where you are....taking Chem 1 and Chem Lab(which is a Math Lab) A&P1 w/Lab and I am also taking Intro to Respiratory Care....plus I tacked on Beginning Spanish. I am 46 yrs old & have not ben in school in 30yrs.....plus I work wed,thurs,fri and Sat.

You can do this, it will take some time to set up a system that works for you......but you can do it. Starting early seems to be a big key.....I printed out all the external anatomical parts and directional terms for A&P and transferred to flashcards already....then went to a site and practced dragging everything where it needs to go. Now, I am concentrating on Chem....my Prof said to know Exponets really well and basic Algebra......he wrote my Chem book and Lab book.....sigh! Anyway, I visited the sites posted on our threads and have now set up myself a study routine for Chem.....I found study flashcards for Basic Chem on our site....chemmybear, I think....AtmoicWoman, I think, posted some sites that are really worth visiting. Get Cliffsolver for Chem.....visit Cliff's for A&P......I have faith in you....you will succeed.

I don't feel the Prof is being out of line, but realistic....A&P & Chem together are really tough tegether.......lots to learn, most people don't make both of them.....My Respiratory Care Instructor says 1/3 of the class will drop out of these 2 classes before they are finished when taken together....,I think they see so many fail, they have to put ALL the cards on the table for you. Keep your chin up and go visit those sites and show him, You know some of your stuff going in.....Continue to e-mail those Prof early, most are willing to give great advice.

JettaDP · Jul 23, 2008

I highly doubt he thinks you are a slacker. Slackers don't try to get textbook information ahead of time. I don't think he was trying to be discouraging. As others have said, he was probably just wanting to be realistic. On an encouraging note, last fall I took General Chemistry, A&P I, Abnormal Psychology, Problem Solving Math, and Spanish I. I also worked part-time and I am a single parent to a 3 year old. I ended up with an A in every class except Spanish in which I got a B. I can't tell you that it was easy. I worked my butt off. And believe me, learning does not come easy to me. I have to work very hard to accomplish what some people can do with half the effort. You can do this! And just think, if you can get through it, you will be that much more prepared for what nursing school will be like. )

degraypoole · Jul 23, 2008

Having been a varsity educator and now a student I am looking at your posting from both perspectives. I think you may be taking his comments too personally. He is speaking from experience, and has voluntarily offered you this information. I suspect that you doubt yourself and his comments have just stirred up your deep seeded beliefs. If is comments are not applicable, then brush it off. On the other hand if he is evoking some doubt, then you may want to take them into serious consideration.

If you do choose to reply to his email, be positive and thank him for his advice/comments, duly noted and food for thought.

You mentioned that others have told you that you may be taking on too much. Evidently those people know you, and share his sentiments, and he doesn't even know you, he is just basing his comments based on his experience with students in similar situations.

I don't get the impression that he is implying that you are a "slacker". Rather he is the one that is being realistic.

My advise to you is to take yourself "out of the box" and look at the big picture objectively.

I wish you much success. Stay positive. That's very important.