I really, REALLY want to strangle them.

Sdaviscs · December 3, 2007

Lauren,

I am a Master's Level Student at UT College of Social Work and feel the same as you. The students I am in class with continually heckle the teachers, don't want to do group assignments, which is a burden on those of us that are willing to work and earn the grade. I have also run into the powers to be being to toxic to deal with, went outside her scope, and was validated. I am paying my good earned money (not on scholarship, because I work, nor do I have mommy and daddy supporting me.) I would like to learn for the money I am paying $3500 for 9 college hours.

I finished by last exam yesteday and sent my paper in today. Done until January 9, 2008.

Sharon/Memphis

anonemouse · December 3, 2007

Lauren,
I am a Master's Level Student at UT College of Social Work and feel the same as you. The students I am in class with continually heckle the teachers, don't want to do group assignments, which is a burden on those of us that are willing to work and earn the grade. I have also run into the powers to be being to toxic to deal with, went outside her scope, and was validated. I am paying my good earned money (not on scholarship, because I work, nor do I have mommy and daddy supporting me.) I would like to learn for the money I am paying $3500 for 9 college hours.

I finished by last exam yesteday and sent my paper in today. Done until January 9, 2008.

Sharon/Memphis

I feel for you, Sharon! I finished the course-work for my degree last semester, so now I'm just trying to get my thesis finished up (and studying for my comprehensive exams, which I start on Wednesday). I get paid an absolute pittance for the time I put in (I get paid less than $800 a month). I'm really starting to think that this is just really not worth the effort I'm putting in. Don't get me wrong, some of my students are wonderful, but some are just miserable little [insert favorite curse here]. And right now, the miserable ones are outnumbering the good ones.

green · December 3, 2007

Lauren,
I am a Master's Level Student at UT College of Social Work and feel the same as you. The students I am in class with continually heckle the teachers, don't want to do group assignments, which is a burden on those of us that are willing to work and earn the grade. I have also run into the powers to be being to toxic to deal with, went outside her scope, and was validated. I am paying my good earned money (not on scholarship, because I work, nor do I have mommy and daddy supporting me.) I would like to learn for the money I am paying $3500 for 9 college hours.

I finished by last exam yesteday and sent my paper in today. Done until January 9, 2008.

Sharon/Memphis

This raises a good question: should disruptive students be allowed to destroy the academic environment at the university level? Universities specifically exist as environments which are designed to foster learning and research. In this respect their mandate differs from that of highschool. Why then should serious students and their instructors be subjected to a destructive environment? It makes no sense to me. I say, suspend or expell the a$$holes! :heh:

kity · December 4, 2007

Ooh, I like that idea, Green! If I'm still teaching next semester, I just might do that. (I don't know yet whether I will be or not. I've applied for a few jobs, so I'm waiting to hear from them before I commit to teaching.)

I feel your pain girl! I teach public middle school AND teachers getting their Master's Degree. If your feeling like this so early in your career, perhaps it is not for you. Teaching is a calling...it is either in your heart or not. If the students are making you this crazy then you might want to look into other jobs. I know my middle school kids make me wanna freakin scream sometimes (and sometimes I do). But honestly, I love 'em...and couldn't imagine doing anything else. For my Master's classes, I find my students go above and beyond constantly (sometimes too much). They work their butts off...and question when I issue an A- for a grade. But on the whole, I feel very blessed for the opportunity to grow with them. I know what you mean...they can make me crazy too. It is a tough call. But if your feeling this pissed...I am sure your talents and knowledge can better serve another industry! Good luck and keep us posted!

anonemouse · December 4, 2007

I feel your pain girl! I teach public middle school AND teachers getting their Master's Degree. If your feeling like this so early in your career, perhaps it is not for you. Teaching is a calling...it is either in your heart or not. If the students are making you this crazy then you might want to look into other jobs. I know my middle school kids make me wanna freakin scream sometimes (and sometimes I do). But honestly, I love 'em...and couldn't imagine doing anything else. For my Master's classes, I find my students go above and beyond constantly (sometimes too much). They work their butts off...and question when I issue an A- for a grade. But on the whole, I feel very blessed for the opportunity to grow with them. I know what you mean...they can make me crazy too. It is a tough call. But if your feeling this pissed...I am sure your talents and knowledge can better serve another industry! Good luck and keep us posted!

I go back and forth, honestly. Sometimes I absolutely love my students, or at least the ones that seem to actually give a damn. Other times, I just want to smack them. I think it's the time of year, too. The last few weeks of the semester are NOT fun, especially this semester (I'm taking the comprehensive exams for my degree starting on Wednesday). I think I'd enjoy it more if I were teaching different classes, too. Right now, I'm teaching introductory non-majors' biology, so the vast majority of my students are just there because they're required to take the class, not because they're actually interested in the material. Hell, half the time I'm not interested in the material. I would love to teach something that's actually at least half-way interesting, like evolution, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, or animal behavior. Unfortunately, as a grad student I'm stuck teaching the classes that none of the real professors want to teach (lucky them).