Dear ‘Eater: I’ve heard college professor horror stories from many upperclassmen, and my worst fear is that someday I will have one to tell as well. I have a professor who already likes to “surprise” us with assignments due that night. How should I handle a professor who doesn’t tell us when we have assignments due or generally doesn’t communicate with students well?
Dear Frustrated Freshie: Your concerns are heard and felt by every other student on campus. A professor has the power to make or break a class. The first thing you can do is step back and assess the situation. Is this a problem you can control or help at all? Is there a support system you already have or can build to help deal with this problem? Finally, if this problem can’t be helped, what can you do to minimize the stress it puts you through?
A good first step might be to reach out to this professor (in person or through email if that makes you less nervous) and ask to have a bit more notice for assignments. If they’re feeling reasonable, this should do it, and you should be on your way to having a more predictable homework schedule.
In the meantime, finding a support system can only get you ahead. If you know anyone in this class already, that’s a great start. You have a built-in study partner. Reach out to them and see if they’d like to work on an assignment or project together, or even one of those surprise assignments (if you’re allowed to work with others, of course). If you don’t know anyone yet, I’d check and see if the class has a GroupMe through the “Mizzou Groupme for Finding Groupmes.”
If the problem persists (and your professor isn’t feeling reasonable), it looks like you may have to find a way to cope with the cards you’ve been dealt. This would be a frustrating situation, but it may help if you set aside time on the days you have that class to complete any surprise assignments. If they don’t assign anything, you just won some free time!
I hope your professor sees your logic and reins in their habit of doling out surprise assignments.
Best of luck,
Hawthorn
Edited by Abby Stetina, astetina@themaneater.com