Dealing With A Difficult
Professor
Presenter Name(s)
Date
E-mail
12 March 2014 Version 1
Advanced
Workshop
–
Rules forLearning
Success
in the
Classroom
Status
(14 June 2013)
 Rule 1: The
Professor is Always
Right
 Rule 2: Always Refer
to Rule 1
2
Advanced Learning Workshop –
Learning Objectives
Status (14 June 2013)
 Understanding What Makes the
Professor “Difficult”
– Examples of Issues in Dealing With
“Difficult” Professors
 Considering Your Role in Your Own
Education
 Dealing with the “Difficult Professor”
Strategies
3
Advanced Learning
Workshop
–
Understanding
What
Makes
the Professor
“Difficult”
Status (14 June
2013)
 A professor is not being difficult if he/she:
– Expects you to be on-time and attend every
class
– Runs a disciplined class and expects you to
abide by the rules (no side conversations,
eating, texting, playing video games, etc.)
– Expects you to come to class prepared with
your assignments completed
– Expects you to answer questions and participate
during class
– Gives you challenging assignments and exam
problems
4
What Does “Difficult” Mean?
A “difficult” professor is one:
 You just can’t seem to understand
 You just can’t seem to get on the same page with
their expectations
 You might even think hates you
 Who doesn’t answer or discourages questions
Before you can determine the best approach to
handle this problem, you need to understand
why you think the professor is “difficult”
Advanced
Learning “Difficult”
Workshop –
What
are Typical
Professor
Issues?
Status (14 June
2013)
Let’s Hear Your Thoughts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
6
Advanced
Learning
Workshop –
Identified
“Difficult”
Professor
Issues
Status (14 June
2013)
Conducting the class, the material,
exams/assignments and grading:
 Is the professor not teaching the material in a way
you understand it?
 Does it appear the professor is not treating all of the
students equally?
 Is the difficulty with the grading system? (It seems
arbitrary)
 Does the professor ask for one thing and then grade
in a completely different fashion?
 Does the professor seem to have unreasonable
expectations for assignments/exams?
7
Advanced
Learning
Workshop –
Identified
“Difficult”
Professor
(2)
Status (14Issues
June 2013)
Communication and Interaction:
 Is the professor difficult to approach?
 Does the professor seem angry or intimidating?
 Does the professor fail to appear at office hours or
never answer emails/questions?
 Does the professor dislike being questioned or
challenged?
 *Does the professor’s approach hinder your ability to
speak in class for fear of being humiliated?
 *Is the professor emotionally/physically abusive?
*Please note that some behaviors may be governed by
federal, state, and local laws.
8
Advanced
Learning
Workshop –
Group
Exercise
– “Difficult”
Professor
Status (14Scenarios
June 2013)
You will be divided into groups and assigned a sample
scenario.
Your Assignment:
 As a group discuss the scenario and suggest
steps/actions a student might take to improve the
situation with the professor
 Select one group member to act as a recorder of your
suggested steps/actions
 You will have 10 minutes for your discussion
 Select one group member to report out on your solutions
– 2 minutes per group (We’ll get to as many as we can)
9
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
Your Role
in Your
Own –
Education
Status
(14 June 2013)
 It’s always easy to blame someone else for problems we
encounter, so the first answer must be “It’s the professor’s
fault”
 But that approach will not solve the problem with a
difficult professor
 You need to take control of your own education . . . It’s
not the professor’s responsibility, it’s not your parents’
responsibility, it’s not your friends’ responsibility . . . It’s
Your Responsibility
YOU NEED TO BE THE CEO OF YOUR OWN EDUCATION*
* To paraphrase engineering consultant Carl Selinger
10
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
Your Role
in Your
Own –
Education
Status
(14 June(2)
2013)
It starts with you and your attitude . . . What are you doing to
contribute to your academic success?
11

How is your attendance? Do you miss classes? Are you on time?
Do you return from the breaks on time?

Are you a full participant? Do you come to class prepared? Do
you complete all of your assignments? Do you ask and answer
questions? Are you paying attention? Do you listen and take
notes?

How are your study habits? Are you reviewing the materials
consistently or cramming? Are you managing your time
effectively?

Have you explored other ways to complement your classroom
learning? Have you searched for other sources of information and
tried to develop methods to teach yourself?

Is the professor really being difficult?
Advanced Learning Workshop –
Strategies: Assess the Issues
Status (14 June 2013)
If you’re satisfied you’re doing everything you can to
maximize your education experience, it’s time to review
the relationship with your “difficult” professor

Start with assessing the issue(s). What is making this
relationship difficult?

Is it one of the issues raised during our first group exercise. Is it
one of the issues on slides 7 and 8? Or is it something else?

Work to understand the problem. In general terms ask fellow
students on their perspective. Is this only your view or do
others have the same feelings?
With a thorough understanding of the issues, you can now plan
your approach
12
Advanced Learning Workshop –
Strategies: Communication
Status
(14
June
2013)
Communication is typically the real stumbling block
between student and professor. In many instances, you
can set things right by approaching the professor
personally:

Never attempt this before or after class. There are too many
distractions. Arrange to meet the professor during office hours.

Go in with the right attitude. The university setting isn’t only
about acquiring the technical knowledge needed for the profession.
It’s about preparing you for the real-world. And in that world you
will encounter “difficult” people in the workplace, in community
activities and even the supermarket. So think of this as a great
learning experience for life.

Also take into account professors are people and are subject to the
same professional and personal stresses we all encounter.
Everyone has a backstory so go into the meeting with that
understanding.
13
Advanced Learning
Strategies:
Rules Workshop
to Follow–
Status (14 June 2013)
 Don’t be aggressive and blame the professor for the issue.
Always be professional.
 Put your own ego aside. This is not about winning a
confrontation. It’s about improving your educational
experience. So show the professor deference and respect and
that you’re there to ask for help.
 Frame your issue(s) with “I Statements”
– I am having trouble following you in class. What can I do?
– I understand the work, but I’m struggling with the exam
problems. How can I better prepare?
– I am uncomfortable answering questions or participating in class
discussions. Do you have any suggestions on how I can become
more confident?
– I’m committed to succeed in the class. What do I need to do?
14
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
–
The Potential Deal Breakers
Status (14 June 2013)
A Bad Teacher
15

There are bad teachers, just like there are bad doctors, lawyers
and accountants. And it’s likely that at some point during your
education you will encounter a professor that is not a skilled
teacher.

Start by trying a meeting with the professor to talk about the
concepts you’re not understanding. The professor might be
better at teaching one-on-one versus a classroom setting.

Use other learning resources: other students’ notes, attend
lectures given by another professor, write your own notes by
using the text book, online content, and other source materials.

Provide constructive feedback using the end-of-course faculty
evaluation – may help future students, may (or may not,
depending on university policy) make university administration
aware of issue
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
–
The Potential Deal Breakers (2)
Status (14 June 2013)
A Bad Teacher


16
Make a report via the campus complaint/grievance procedure
–
May provide relief during the present academic term
–
Will identify chronic problems to university administration
Dropping the course – last resort . But be aware that might
impact your overall academic schedule and there are no
guarantees the next professor will be better. Before making a
decision like that consult your academic advisor.
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
–
The Potential Deal Breakers (3)
Status (14 June 2013)
Threatening/Hostile/Abusive
Environment

You do not have to tolerate a hostile or abusive professor

All universities have policies that cover complaint/grievance
procedures and forms; whistleblower policies; harassment
policies; sexual misconduct policies and alcohol and drug abuse
policies.
All students should familiarize themselves with the appropriate
policies and procedures.

(Include the appropriate names of campus offices responsible and
the links on the slide)
17
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
–
The Potential Deal Breakers (4)
Status (14 June 2013)
Threatening/Hostile/Abusive
Environment
 If you feel a hostile environment exists:
– Document in writing every instance of this type of behavior, what
was said/done and when it occurred. If applicable, witnesses should
be included with any report you make.
– Never openly tell stories about these occurrences in public. There are
issues of privacy involved.
– Also, you may want to consult a trusted faculty member or your
academic advisor to get more advice on next steps
 If it is necessary to report this behavior, be sure to follow
the procedures and policies of the university
18
Advanced
Learning
Workshop
–
Avoiding the Difficult Professor
Status
(14 June 2013)
Before you register
for a class:

Check with students who have previously taken the class. See
what feedback they offer and advice they might have to be
successful in the class.

See if the class is offered by more than one professor
(sometimes you have no choice)
(If your university has an evaluation system – describe it and list
links)
If you do end up with a professor that has a reputation for being
difficult, you will survive. Start off with a positive attitude and give
the professor a chance. Then if needed, employ the strategies we
discussed during this session.
19

Advanced Learning Workshop –
Summary
Status (14 June 2013)
Determine if the professor is just demanding the best from
the students or if there are other issues
 Be the CEO of your own education and make sure you are
fully invested in the class
 Assess the issue(s) that you feel are defining this
professor as “difficult”
 Arrange a private meeting with the professor and be
prepared to discuss the issues with “I statements”
 Follow through on commitments you made to the
professor
 Give it time to work
 Report to authorities when appropriate
20
Advanced Learning Workshop –
Contact Information
Status (14 June 2013)
Name
E-mail
Phone
Campus Student Life contact(s):
Ombudsman, Dean of Students, etc.
21
Advanced Learning Workshop –
Questions
Status (14 June 2013)
22