College Professors Share What Students Get Wrong

13.

“I do not work for you, the student; i.e., this is not a service industry. I am employed by the university and as teaching is but a small portion of my job responsibilities, this is not some ‘customer is always right’ scenario. You have paid for the opportunity to learn from me, an expert in this field. That’s it. I don’t owe you a specific grade or immediate responses to 3:00 a.m. emails, or to tell you that your incorrect information is right in order to spare your feelings.

“Read the freaking syllabus. Before you send me an email, read the syllabus. 95% of the time, the answer is in the syllabus.

“You would be amazed how much easier many of your classes would be if you just showed up and paid attention. The number of students who come and sit and play around on their computer — 1) I know what you’re doing; 2) why bother coming?! (I don’t take attendance.)

“If you would just show up and pay attention, that is, like, 80% of the battle in many classes. You’d be shocked at how much easier things would be, I promise.”

—ebeau