That woman

Jules A, MSN · Feb 13, 2007

Relax.
Concentrate on what you need to do and what you need to know. Don't sit near her if you can help it. Go early and sit in the front row of the class so you have three possible spaces where she cannot sit and distract you.
Ultimately, that kind either shapes up or is shipped out very early on in most nursing programs.

I think this is very good advice. It was my experience that the instructors really don't want to have to deal with these type of issues. The people that complained or made nasty remarks ended up looking worse than the annoying person. The bottom line is that you'll have to figure out a way to get over it because life is filled with "that woman and that man" and when you get in the program you really won't have the time or energy to waste fuming over someone's behavior in class.

albedo · Feb 13, 2007

She asks to copy homework becasue she has too active a social life to do her own.

Don't let her borrow your hw.

She asks when we can get together to do group study for A&P2.

Tell her you guys won't have one.

Don't tolerate this. Set your limit, or she will push farther and farther.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 13, 2007

One of my instructors has a very good way of addressing the person who constantly asks questions that really don't have much to do with the lecture. She just says, "Hmmm, I don't know about that. Why don't you look it up & report back." Funny thing is we've never heard what she learned.
Dixie

HAHA - we had one too and our 1st semester instructor got SO TIRED of her asking questions (off the subject, completly irrelevant questions), she told her - I don't really know but I think it would be great for you to write a 1 page report and present it at the next class period for your peers.

She quit asking 1 million questions, cut it down to 1000 each class :chuckle

LuvMyGamecocks · Feb 13, 2007

Yep. Had one of those, too.

You just have to be bluntly direct if prompted to be. A little history...In my Micro class, she was the one you described. She asked ton's of irrelevant questions, asked to borrow notes, copy homework, etc., etc. I kept blowing it off until I couldn't anymore. This is what I said (not word for word, but close)...

"I'm going to be honest. I'm not trying to offend you, and I'm sorry if it comes off that way. But, I have a life and a family of my own, and I manage to do my homework and study the notes I take in class every day. If there are problems in your schedule that prevent YOU from doing that, you should reconsider this program for now. But, please don't ask me again to hand over to you something that took my precious time to complete. I'll be happy to try to explain anything you don't understand, but I'm not handing over anything to anyone. Your grade is your problem, not mine."

Never had any issues from her again. You have to be direct. Don't hide out, don't "ignore it" away. If the situation allows you the time and place to say something, DO IT!!! You'll feel better about yourself and how you handled the situation.

springgarden · Feb 13, 2007

Alright, Today for kicks in Nutrition class I counted her

questions and comments. Within the 55 min class, she

asked/made 9 questions/statements.Three- "I know someone who", three - "my daughter does" and two "I read somewhere."

When another student was smiling or giggling (didn't see what she did), i just heard 'that woman' say I have to know this stuff.

I don't care whether her daughter drinks whole milk or

her Aunt Fanny has high cholesterol. That is for people ready to listen to ur stories and issues not for class.

Oh, the best statement she said today is "I was cleaning my fridge and i saw bananas that have 'no cholesterol' written on them". I do not care if you cleaned your fridge or disinfected it for that matter.

Now you might be asking, why does this bother? The teacher is behind in the syllabus going into mid-terms. That time is going to have to come from somewhere, most likely at the expense of three or more chapters that we will not get lecture on before the end of the term.

caliotter3 · Feb 13, 2007

She could come over and clean my frig, and floors, and toilet, for that matter. But then I would have to put up with her. Oh, no.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2007

I've talked with my two of my instructors this week about "that woman". I suppose it could be that guy as well, but mine is a woman.You all know her, she's been in one or all of your classes.
She has had every disease or condition being taught. She knows someone
with a wart, lesion, dark spot. Her uncle has diabetes mellitus, her aunt
has had helmiths. She reads for Nutrition or other courses and interrupts lecture to ask questions about material we already have covered because she wasn't paying attention. She asks to copy homework becasue she has too active a social life to do her own. She asks when we can get together to do group study for A&P2.
Any suggestions for dealing with this? I know the instructors do not want
to discourage people from asking questions. The personal stories are
driving me crazy, nuts, bunkers!!

Yes, we've all been through this. The slackers tend to depend on the good students and it gets frustrating. These are some of the responses I've had to use:

Can I see your homework? Sorry, I don't share my homework, but I'll be happy to help you figure out your answers.

Can we get together to study? Thanks for thinking of me, but I tend to study better on my own.

After responding with one of these answers, I've actually been asked how much I charge to tutor! Good luck.