My professor is great…He just can’t teach.”
Whether we like it or not, at one point or another in our college careers we will encounter a Professor whose teaching abilities leave much to be desired (READ: they're terrible). We try to avoid these instructors as much as possible, spending hours reading reviews on Ratemyprofessor and asking schoolmates for recommendations on who to take and who to avoid like the plague. While a lucky few may complete their college experience without facing this problem, the rest of us will undoubtedly encounter the ominous “professor from hell.” You’ve heard the horror stories:
While such a professor may mean well and have the best of intentions, if they cannot effectively communicate the material of the course, a student’s chance of learning and succeeding drops. So what’s Student to do? We’re sure that you’re aware of the traditional solutions: tutoring centers, study groups, and office hours with your professor. Here are some tips to help you do well and learn the material should the basic remedies come up short:
There you have it,! Don’t let the teachings skills of your professors ever bring you down. If you have any suggestions or tricks on how else to cope with this type of situation, comment below and share with us!
- I can’t keep my eyes open! I need to know this material, but his voice is so monotone! The person next to me is asleep!
- I can’t understand a word he says! His accent is just too thick for me to understand his lectures!
- My professor seems lost…does she understand what’s she’s teaching? Even I know that she has made a mistake!
- He looks tired again today. It looks like it’s going to be another short lecture this week…
- Get in Contact with Another Professor that Teaches the Same Subject. All professors have different teaching styles; while your current professor’s methods may not resonate with you, it’s very possible that another professor’s teaching would! Visit these professors during their office hours and be honest with them: tell them that 1) you’re having difficulty learning from your current professor’s teaching style and 2) ask if they can provide any assistance. Results may vary, but from personal experience, I’ve received help in the form of lecture notes/PowerPoint, one-on-one explanations of difficult concepts, and invitations to sit in on their lectures. Professors who truly enjoy what they do would never turn away a student in need, so don’t be shy about seeking help from them
- Pay a visit to online learning sites like Khan Academy or Coursera. If you’re not familiar with Khan Academy, now would be a good time to do so. Featuring thousands of free instructional videos on numerous topics, Khan Academy is a learner’s paradise. This site does have its limitations, as it is most beneficial for students completing their lower division courses given the generality of the subject matter. Coursera is a collection of free online courses offered by some of the best universities in the world, including MIT, Harvard, and Stanford. Currently, the site features over 461 courses, with students able to enroll in an unlimited amount. Though Coursera was designed to be treated like a traditional class (completed gradually over a period of weeks/months), the benefit of the course material and the community are readily available. With luck you’ll find your class being taught on Coursera, giving you access to a powerful resource to learn the material: watch the online videos and chat with other students about the subject. I’ve had grad students from the University of Massachusetts explain Game Theory to me and have watched professors from U Penn’s Wharton School of Business explain accounting principles!
- Take advantage of the power of Audio-Editing Software. There are classes where the lecture contains every single detail needed for an exam. The textbook and PowerPoint might help, but sometimes 99% of what you need to know for the test comes from your professor’s lips. As previously mentioned, sometimes understanding what your professor is saying can be a daunting task. Heavy accents and fast-paced talking are a nightmare for students furiously writing down notes. If permitted, it is highly recommended to record your professor’s lecture. While smartphone voice recorders are sufficient, it is highly recommended to invest in a high quality digital voice recorder like this one in order to ensure that every minute detail is recorded. From there, editing the recording with an Audio-Editing software like Audacity (free) is the best move you can make. This software allows you to adjust pitch levels, equalization curves, and tighten up even the worst lectures and make them sound crystal clear. If you want to be creative, you can set the lecture to a catchy tune to help you memorize the material!
-Marco Mayuga, United States
