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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/8/2008
Posts: 8
Location: Windsor
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I dont know if I am alone on this but my first year was horrible. Part of this was because I was afraid to approach my proffs about anything. As a first year student I felt that the proffs would some how look down on me for asking questions. So I never argued a mark, never spoke to them when I had questions or comments, or even to approach them when I had personal issues.
I have since learned that most of them are very approachable, they are more then willing to work with a student who shows them they are working hard, they are also very understanding when you have personal challenges. And as for marks I have brought my work back to them and gotten marks I deserved.
I was wondering if others have had similar experiences first year, and has that changed? and-What advice would you give students new to the University/College experience about dealing with proffs?
Do small things with great love~~~
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Rank: Student Body Vice-President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 776
Location: London (UWO)
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Obviously there are some expections, but most university profs are glad to answer your questions. In first year, I remember treating profs like they were celebrities (keeping in mind that a lot of my classes had 700-800 people in them and getting to talk with a prof was not commonplace). There was this one time when I was waiting for class to begin, and the professor for my class who was waiting there too started talking with me about when in high school we were taught transmission genetics. Of course I had to tell all my friends that I had just talked with the professor, and I treated it as if it were some big deal. Things have changed.
Anyway, I love talking about the stuff that interests me, and I know most professors are the same way too.
Honours BMSc Specialization in Medical Science, Minor in Psychology UWO '09
Bachelor of Pharmacy Alberta '13 ???
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Rank: Student Body Vice-President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 789
Location: Kingston and Toronto
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Sometimes the course layout forces you to talk to your professor (proposal for a paper, as an example I had last term, we each had to approach our professor about our topic).
Some professors are definitely mean and standoffish, and some are the total opposite. You can usually read them pretty well.
I did not argue a mark until this year (second), I argued two of them, but we have to first talk to our TAs about them, because they are the ones who mark the papers. I got shot down both times, my mark unchanged. Embarrassing? A bit, but neither of my TAs talked down to me, or snickered behind my back.
If you are worried about a mark but don't feel comfortable approaching your TA or professor, you should look for the academic grievances council in your school, they deal with those issues.
Uschi
Queen's '10
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/8/2008
Posts: 7
Location: Ontario
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Some profs are definitely better to approach than others. Some are really easy to talk to and will help you a lot, but those are probably the profs that aren't that busy. Some are willing to talk to you and explain things as you would like to hear them. Some on the other hand say that they are willing to talk to you but they are very short and make you feel like you are bothering them. Some I find are very intimidating to approach and do not look and sound very nice. Some look nice when they are lecturing and then you try to ask them a question and they are actually not nice at all whereas some look intimidating but are very good with you when you ask a question. Most of them will get you to talk to their TA's first anyways and then if the TA can't answer you question THEN you talk to them where they will probably give you a short answer. That is only some of them though, some are also very nice and very willing to help and encourage asking, you just have to get a feel for the prof and a lot of them will be very awesome. Most people ARE in fact afraid to ask them questions and end up not asking them anyways so when they do get a question, they are willing to answer. The line up to talk to the prof after class always sucks and makes you not want to ask them but I am sure if you ask them before class or set up a time when they are free, that would be alright as well
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/8/2008
Posts: 6
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I think it more depended on the prof. Some I was afraid to approach, and others I didn't have any problem with. I have had some problems with talking to prof, but that was usually because I saw them as rude when I did go talk to them about a grade. I think they were just defensive because it was like I was questioning their grading or their teacher. But I soon got over that and did talk to my profs. I think that the key is to talk to teachers about things besides grades and the class. Granted, this is a little easier in smaller classes, but at least then you get the initial hesitation about taking to them out of the way. This way, when there is something more important to talk about it doesn't make it seem so difficult.
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/8/2008
Posts: 7
Location: Guelph, ON
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I think some profs are more approachable than others but many just sit there reading the newspaper during their office hours -- alot of students do not go see them. I would suggest that at the very least a student should talk to the TA for the course if there is one. And if one prof isn't so welcoming don't let that keep you from seeing another.
Also if it's a small enough class where they have an idea of who you are it can help with grading. Despite people wanting to be completely subjective if the prof knows your name and sees it on a paper and remembers that you're a hard-working student it can affect your mark to your advantage -- sure this isn't the way it should be but IT IS, so work with the system. (don't sellout though, everyone hates a suck up)
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/8/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Halifax
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I know for me, I find it intimidating to speak with my professors but I am becoming more aware of how limiting that can be on my education. Teachers are there to teach, so if you have a question you should not be scared to discuss it with them. Asking for helping is a sign of intelligence.
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/10/2008
Posts: 6
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Just do it! It's their job as professors to meet with students, to dedicate their time to help improve student's skills and abilities. Professors see students all the time, you pay tuition and you attend lectures and seminars, what makes you feel any less important or significant. All this being said, I too felt intimidated my first and second year of university; however, I think with experience and more exposure your intimidation and fears start to dwindles. After finding courage to talk to professors, asking questions and getting help my academic marks increased significantly. You don't have to suck up, but show a true interest and concern for wanting to learn and strengthening your abilities and skills and the pay off will show in your marks. Plus, you need to know your professors when you apply to do a thesis, get full time positions, TA ships or your masters, you need letters of references. If you never speak with your professors you are simply a shadow in the auditorium to them. Reach out for help, get involved, get to know your professors!
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/10/2008
Posts: 6
Location: SSM ON
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It is extremely important to ask questions of your professors. The only way to know that you are on the right track with something is to ask. How horrible would it be if you spent a ridiculous amount of time on a project only to have it handed back and realize that the prof wanted something different. My philosophy has always been if you don't know something, ask. What's the worst that could happen?
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 553
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Personally, I feel that by me paying $16000 + to attend school for one year allows me the oppurtunity to approach profs, because I am paying for a product and they are considered part of that product. I have made solid professional relationships with two of my high school teachers, and they have both taken me aside many a time to explain that these next 4 years coming up will seem to be more intimidating and challenging, but behind this mask everyone is open and willing to help, even if not the prof, the majority of TAs aren't the prof suck-up nazis they are portrayed as, so I'm feeling good about this upcoming fall. There is even a teacher at my school who is an actual Soc. Sci. prof and he too has given those of us in his class advice on how to find help with academic work next year.
UWO '12 Social Science
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/10/2008
Posts: 5
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I'm in first year right now as well, and I must say, the profs have always been there for me for whatever need.
As was mentioned in a post earlier, I too find class size does make a huge difference. With all of my core classes numbering at least 200 (which is still nowhere near mynameismattgotmlgo's 700-800 hah), topping off at perhaps 500, it's difficult to speak to them during classes. Tends to be just bam! Here's your lecture, and then you need to bust your gut over to your next class. They do hang around at the end of classes to take questions, but often there is quite the lineup. During lectures they will also give time to ask questions, but who really feels comfortable with holding back 100s of other students with your one seemingly measly question?
Outside of class, if you can grab a hold of profs for whatever it is, go for it. Admittedly, I've oft disputed marks and asked chiefly administrative questions, rather than discussing anything about their field of study. Yes, I know everyone says "Ask a lot of questions to get to know your profs", but I honestly don't have questions to ask them! I've frequently wracked my brain trying to come up with *something* just to start up a conversation, but I usually fail in that. So for me, I do find my profs approachable, but it's just too bad that I don't have much to say to them. Occasionally if the chance just does come up, a nice discussions might spark up, but that's pretty rare for me. I'm not exactly knowledgeable in current news or have anything connecting me with my profs (I've a friend who ate dinner weekly with a club or summat, only to find out one of them would be her prof the next term!). I've never been much of a conversation-starter, but once it does get going I manage more than my two cents.
But certainly the degree of welcome from a prof does depend on the individual, as well as your program of study (for example, the number of people in it).
I would recommend going to "tutorial" sessions as well - even if you don't feel you need it and it's run by a TA. Sometimes points of interest and tips (such as alternative methods) come up that would otherwise never be mentioned. And for me, it's a much better environment to absorb info with at best 30 people in the room - as opposed to 400.
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Rank: Student Council
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 401
Location: Paris, Ontario
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I had this one teacher in high school who was very nice and a great teacher, but he always warned us, when you get to university you can't ask for help, your professors don't care, they don't like answering your questions, they think that they are better than you will ever be. Is this true? lol
Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
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Rank: Valedictorian
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 553
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alys98 wrote:I had this one teacher in high school who was very nice and a great teacher, but he always warned us, when you get to university you can't ask for help, your professors don't care, they don't like answering your questions, they think that they are better than you will ever be. Is this true? lol I think he was either trying to scare you or he meant asking questions during a lecture. I know many profs have pet peeves of being stopped mid sentence to be asked a question for clarification, but outside of class they are more open to questions.
UWO '12 Social Science
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Rank: Student Body Vice-President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 776
Location: London (UWO)
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alys98 wrote:I had this one teacher in high school who was very nice and a great teacher, but he always warned us, when you get to university you can't ask for help, your professors don't care, they don't like answering your questions, they think that they are better than you will ever be. Is this true? lol There are obviously exceptions, but how your teacher describes professors is the least bit congruent with my experience with professors. Most of them are teaching stuff that they enjoy and are usually glad to talk about it. Some of them are naturally ornery and some of them are good people but are highly stressed; most, however, are nice folks. In fact, I have had quite a few professors who encourage students to talk with them about the course material. I've also had a few profs, mainly in first year, who would assemble little groups from the class (big classes; it was usually just the first 10 or so people to e-mail them wanting to join) and get together with those groups to discuss course dynamics. I strongly disagree with your teacher.
Honours BMSc Specialization in Medical Science, Minor in Psychology UWO '09 Bachelor of Pharmacy Alberta '13 ???
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/10/2008
Posts: 16
Location: Winnipeg
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In response to ^
Profs are also evaluated every year by every student that they teach. The main points evaluated include quality of teaching and availability/willingness to help. So the profs that refuse to help students in need probably don't stick around long.
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Rank: Student Council
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 401
Location: Paris, Ontario
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Yeah I'm assuming he was doing this to scare us, and I just couldn't believe that all of them could be that stuck up and didnt care. Mind you, this teacher is retiring this year, and went to university in the 60's, so maybe his experience was a little bit different when he was in university. haha. But even though I knew in the back of my mind what he was saying sounded completely insane, it's obviously still scary to think that they may be like that.
Because, like most have been saying, I feel that these profs should make themselves available to their students when the students are paying thousands of dollars a year to be there. I'm not saying they should baby you like many high school teachers do, but they should at least be there to listen to your concerns and take them seriously and help you out when you are genuinely making an effort.
Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
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Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/16/2008
Posts: 9
Location: Edmonton
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If you have any concerns or questions about class or assignment, most profs (in my experience) are really receptive to meeting with students. I wish I would have met with more prof in my first two years of university, but I was intimidated and didn't want to be a burden. Now I know that profs usually like to know more about their students than the little bit they find out in class. It's also important to build relationships with profs if you're planning on pursuing post-graduate studies because they require letters of reference.
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