Chloe Reid

Reporter

Being in college, it’s fair to say that most of us have experienced professors throughout our years that just aren’t up to par.

Whether from assigning undoable amounts of work, to those who just simply don’t seem like a helping hand when you need it, sadly there are many professors in the industry who seemingly end up being a total downer rather than an educator.

“I used to have a professor that wouldn’t follow my disability guidelines and was extremely hard to communicate with,” said ISU sophomore Allason Williams, a Liberal Arts major.

No matter what the situation may be, there are several ways to deal with those professors who make class time seem like a prison sentence instead of a valuable learning experience.

1: Take Advantage of Office Hours 

A professor’s office hours are a great resource to reach out to them outside of class and talk to them about your issues. If you’ve been stuck with the type of professor who tends to go on tangents in class and leads lectures in a way that’s nearly impossible to understand, this is an especially effective method. Email them beforehand to schedule a time that works best for the both of you, and sit down with your professor and have them further explain what’s been happening in class. Office hours are there for a reason, don’t miss out on the opportunity that’s readily available.

2: Visit the Administration

There may come a time where you find yourself in class with a professor who isn’t necessarily bad at teaching, but rather seems to have a gross personality, won’t follow school guidelines or just puts a damper on the class environment. If this is the case, skip the one on one meeting with the professor themselves and have a discussion with the administration on campus. In this type of situation, discussing with the professor about their own issues will most likely not be helpful, as it’s their energy towards the class that needs to be changed. Remember even though professors are the authority figures during classes, you’re still someone who is deserving of respect. For the best results, reach out for the department head of whichever department the professor is in, or reaching out to the dean of students on campus.

3: Be Approachable

With many of us now attending most of our classes through a video call format, most professors have found it more difficult to teach adequately. “I would say the best way to connect with any professor is to participate. Any professor is willing to help you more when you make their life easier, and the best way to do that is by being attentive and respectful. I would argue most professors find it extremely frustrating when everyone is unresponsive in Zoom calls. Therefore, if you were to stand out and be responsive even if it’s scary, then they would feel appreciated, and would most likely be more willing to cater to your needs in the future,” said junior Zane Webb, an accounting and finance major.

4: Cater to Yourself

Being in classes with below-average professors can really make the rest of the day feel like a drag. Despite their inferior tactics, remind yourself it’s still important to show up to class regardless and do the best you can. However, it’s important to take care of yourself and your own mental wellbeing as well. Try wearing your favorite outfit to this class, or bringing your favorite drink or snack. It might help a little in boosting the overall mood of the class by associating good things with the typically negative environment.

5: Stick to the Course Outline

Sometimes professors seem to sway their coursework away from the pre-designed syllabus for the semester. If this is the case for you, knowing the syllabus and what the class is supposed to consist of can help a lot in the long run for professors who decide to switch up the path. For example, if the professor gives you a 0 for an assignment you turned in an hour late, but the syllabus clearly states that you’ll only get 20% taken down per late day, you can use this to your advantage in getting a better grade in the class.

6: Use Outside Sources

A difficult professor doesn’t give you a direct path to get a bad grade in the class. While these professors might make it harder to attain your desired A compared to other classes, you can still make the classwork in your favor and finish out the semester with a great grade. Even though the professor might not be helpful in explaining in-class topics, go online and do some research on whatever you’ve been learning. There’s a very high chance that someone on the internet will have done a better job of explaining the topic of choice, giving you a better chance of passing the class with flying colors.