my lecturer is so unhelpful I feel like crying

LegacyUser

I'm a student currently in the second year of my degree. I'm finding the work pretty tough and confusing, I'm not exactly the brightest student and my marks are usually just passable. I do all my work and hand it in on time, it's just that I didn't really realise how hard university would be and I don't think I have the aptitude for it. But anyway, I struggle on and most of my teachers are pretty understanding and not too harsh on me.

However, last term we had a lecturer from a different university who came to teach us for just one term (she's now gone back but we still hand in work which the university sends to her). I took 2 of her modules last term, one of which was ok, but one of which was totally incomprehensible to me. I handed in one piece of coursework for that module and got a low pass, but in a couple of weeks I must hand in the second essay. We are supposed to think of our own titles, and the subjest is so vast and confusing that I emailed the lecturer to ask for a suggestion for something to base my essay on. About a week later she wrote back a rather abrupt, unpleasant email, telling me that she won't give me any suggestions (which is unusual, other lecturers either set essay questions or help you think of a suitable one), she is "astounded" that I need this help and I had better make this essay more coherent than the last one.

I am so upset, I'm nearly in tears right now. I attend every lecture, always hand work in on time and try my best. I know my marks aren't great and I don't really get that module at all, but does she really need to be so harsh? Last term I asked for a private session with her to get some extra help. She gave me one private session (lasting about 5 minutes, she gave this extra help to other students who needed it too) but it wasn't enough, and when I asked if she could spare some more time to help me she said no. I'm struggling but now dare not ask for help any more. I really feel like crying!

Aved

I have a lecturer like that. You could talk to your course coordinater about it or contact student services about looking for extra tuition from someone who will be able to give you sufficient help without being judgemental.
Just remember it's not your fault.

LegacyUser

I feel like it is my fault because I'm the least capable in the class, I always get the worst marks but I am trying.

Lollipops23

I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time in college, usually lecturers give a bit of extra help to students who are genuinley struggling(which it sounds like you are). I agree with the above post that you should contact your course coordinator to arrange some sort of tuition.

Perhaps at the end of the year, if you still feel the lecturer was unfairly harsh on you, you could register some kind of complaint to yout college about her?She seems to have been unnecessarily blunt with you!

Miss Fluff

Why the struggle with the course you are doing OP? Does it interest you? You are obviously passing everything else. Is this one particular module a stumbling block? Or is this module absolutely necessary to qualify for your chosen field? If not can't you change to another module?

WhiteWashMan

dont you have a year head, or a tutor or some sort of mentor that you can talk to?

spinandscribble

often lecturers are rude. after two years im surprised you've only had one baddie. contact your year head or get help from a classmate. DONT GIVE UP. prove yourself.

LegacyUser

Miss Fluff wrote: »

Why the struggle with the course you are doing OP? Does it interest you? You are obviously passing everything else. Is this one particular module a stumbling block? Or is this module absolutely necessary to qualify for your chosen field? If not can't you change to another module?

I don't like my subject any more, now that I have completed nearly 2 years it would be a total waste to drop out, I would rather struggle on and just get a degree with a low mark. I can't drop out and start another subject from scratch because I couldn't take the expense and devastation, nor can I face 3 more years of studying. I can't drop that particular module either because there's only 4 months left, not enough time to start another from scratch. I would rather just get through this with any level of pass I can.

banquo

Contact your education officer with the SU. Do you mind if I ask what college it is?

LegacyUser

WhiteWashMan wrote: »

dont you have a year head, or a tutor or some sort of mentor that you can talk to?

Yes, I am going to make an appointment with my form tutor for some extra help. I just hope he's more helpful.

jd83

id go to the student union they usually have people to talk to, maybe others are having the same problem and have went aswell. They can help you or tell you what you can do

pookie82

I really don't understand why some lecturers take on a position whereby they have to teach/mark/integrate with students and then abruptly leave them hanging like that when a little help is asked for!!! It's really unnecessary of her to be so harsh. If it was completely out of order for you to get a suggested title she could have explained that she didn't want to be unfair to the others etc but wished you the best of luck or something.

Considering she's not full time with your department there's probably not alot that can be done about it. However I would be inclined to approach the head of department and lodge your complaint - ask for a meeting and tell him/her how upset you are over the treatment you received at her hands. most lecturers have consultation hours and while these aren't meant to spoonfeed students or last longer than about twenty mins at a time for each student, this woman should have been more helpful.

Also speak with the academic advisory office or find someone at the student union to share your grievance with. Best of luck with the rest of the term I really hope it works out for you. Don't let one unhelpful b*tch get you down.

Keano

I feel like it is my fault because I'm the least capable in the class, I always get the worst marks but I am trying.

My first day in college I felt like this as we had a practical class and it took me the whole 2 hours to complete, everyone else was gone after 30 mins. I felt so stupid and was about 5 mins from leaving college for good.

On my way home I thought no way was I giving up after 1 day! I stuck it out for 4 years and had so many up and down days. Just go to student services and take it from there.

You can get over this hurdle

Susannahmia

Is there an academic advisory office in your college? There is one in mine and they are very helpful with these kinds of issues.

LegacyUser

I'm in the same boat in terms of struggling. I got a tutor though and things have improved.
For the essay I would ask your friends if they can suggest a title/argument reading material.
You seem to be taking the right steps let your department head know, in case you have to appeal the mark.

Is this course vocational because it seems that you don't enjoy it. Slight embarrassment in dropping out now is nothing to what it will be like if you are stuck in a bad career path.

LegacyUser

I had the same experience with a few lecturers in my time. And this isn't your fault as long as you genuinely are studying which ill take you at your word for.
As much as some of them like to think, lecturers aren't just there to breeze in and out of a lecture hall having passed over some material to students and set vague assignments. Its their JOB to make you understand the material they are covering. My advice to you is to bloody harass her into giving you extra time until you understand.Not literally harass her but be a thorn in her side until she makes you understand what shes doing. Don't take no for an answer, dont get emotional over it just tell her exactly what you want from her(within reason) in no uncertain terms.
She might not like you very much by the end of the term but the alternatives worse now isn't it?
Best of luck.

Riddle101

Wow and i thought i had it bad with my education and all. I've had teachers who really screwed me over, over the years, telling me that i wouldn't pass this or do that unless i did what they recomended me. Last year i did my leaving cert(I'm Repeating Now) my History teacher told me i should do Ordinary History. Now i'm really good at History and it's really the only subject i'm strong at but he starts making feel insignificant telling me i'd never pass unless i dropped. Well i got a B in Ordinary Level history this year but i would have been happie doing Honours and maybe getting a C. But he's not the only one, my maths teacher did nothing to help me in 5th year and because of that i feel i suffered last year and in the Leaving Cert.

Anyway i feel sorry for you but maybe you could ask another leacutuer who majors in the subject you're doing, he may no be your leacturer but he'd proberly be able to give advice. IMO all leactuerer are there to help and shouldn't turn a person down even if they aren't in their class

spinandscribble

forward the email to the head and ask if anyone else in the department can help you. tutors can be 30 euro a hour so dont go down that route til you need to.

x in the city

theres no point getting beat up about this,

firstly see a student union rep dude. they are mostly always helpful

see the class co ordinator, there must be someone to help you, its not mars

i have been there and done that, but got my degree and have a job now.

chin up and forget the nasty lecturer.

can you borrow notes from others?

Jack B. Badd

upsetstudent wrote: »

However, last term we had a lecturer from a different university who came to teach us for just one term (she's now gone back but we still hand in work which the university sends to her). I took 2 of her modules last term, one of which was ok, but one of which was totally incomprehensible to me. I handed in one piece of coursework for that module and got a low pass, but in a couple of weeks I must hand in the second essay. We are supposed to think of our own titles, and the subjest is so vast and confusing that I emailed the lecturer to ask for a suggestion for something to base my essay on. About a week later she wrote back a rather abrupt, unpleasant email, telling me that she won't give me any suggestions (which is unusual, other lecturers either set essay questions or help you think of a suitable one), she is "astounded" that I need this help and I had better make this essay more coherent than the last one.

I could be wrong here but I think her reaction to your email asking for a suggestion for something to base your essay on may be down to how you phrased it. University is not like school, you aren't provided the same support from lecturers that you are from teachers. A lecturer sets an assignment and expects you to be able to do research and source information on your own. Quite a few react badly if they think a student is asking them to do the work for them.

Weidii

Mark me if I'm wrong, but I bet you're studying science or engineering. Judgeing by your post you seem to be a bright person, so maybe you're just in the wrong subject? If you find the work is too much in second year it'll probably be hell in years to come. To be honest I think you should take a fresh start at something you know you're good at.

I know this isn't the sort of anser you were looking for, but it's what I think.

Danny2580

WHAT A FKING CNUT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe nobody else has said that already.

To be constructive about this: I always found that, in college, getting the people that are on your side to help you out against others who obviously haven't taken a liking to you or don't give a sh1t is a key thing.

So, enlighten student services, any lecturers you get on well with, and your year head about to the sutuation. DON'T let the actions of one person ruin all the effort you are putting in, stay dogmatic. You deserve so much praise for doing your best with your course and if you want to graduate - well, you've gotten this far so you can.

She sounds like a bitch. Chin up.

D.

gollyitsolly

Sweetheart, life is so short, too short to let an idiot like that ruin it for you. My darling ,in 5 years time you will look back at this and laugh. Why let a nobody like that dictate your life course? Who knows what will happen to you if you pass or fail? In the scheme of things which are LIFE,how important is this anyway? Learn from this and MOVE on!

pookie82

Jack B. Badd wrote: »

I could be wrong here but I think her reaction to your email asking for a suggestion for something to base your essay on may be down to how you phrased it. University is not like school, you aren't provided the same support from lecturers that you are from teachers. A lecturer sets an assignment and expects you to be able to do research and source information on your own. Quite a few react badly if they think a student is asking them to do the work for them.

While this is largely true, if the reply which the OP received was as harsh as she makes out, it was inappropriate. I have no problem with lecturers being harsh on someone who does f*ck all and mails them towards the end of term for extra help/notes etc, but to be so blunt to somone who is clearly looking for an honest way to better her mark in an honest manner is unfair. And to get in a dig about the last essay was just mean - the student in question received her mark and was trying to do her best this time around - there was no need for a nasty jibe. People respond alot better to encouragement than repeated criticism.

Good_Crow

this lecturer is not worth the effort. get a classmate to help or maybe you can find a podcast that can help podcast.net

NortSoide

Why not get a little bit of help from someone else - for example, a tutor. And then get the same person to
check over your work before you hand it in and maybe the person can make a few suggestions for improvement.

It's only a temporary inconvenience for you and it will
pass.

But don't piss off that c*nt of a lecturer. They know
who you are when marking your exams - not like
the Leaving Cert - and maybe can hold a grudge against
you.

When I was studying in Maynooth many years ago,
I often said that the exams were passed there not on
the strength of one's abilities but by how long one wore
one's skirt and how low one wore one's plunge line !
( And, especially amongst the clerical lecturers )

Good luck with it.

kevmy

1) Don't lodge a complaint against her now. That can only bring bad things.

2) Forget about her. You've asked her for help she said fcuk off. She isn't going to change her mind.

3) Get a friend in the class you is better at the subject to help you out. I know in my class we all helped each other out in different subjects. If they find that subject easy they will gladly help you out.

3a) You will find that your classmates don't like her either. This will help you feel better and if you have to go at the end of the year complaining (save this for a last resort) they can back you up.

4) Toughen up a bit. You may not like to hear that but if your to survive in this world your going to have to. You can't let **** from other people get you down. If you do you'll end up going crazy.


I've had plenty experience with bad lecturers all different kinds, bad, mean, indifferent, evil, incompetent.
I've also had experience with nice, helpful, friendly and caring ones.

Thats life though. Get some help from classmates, knuckle down keep working and ignore bad lecturers

AngryBadger

OP have you considered getting some private tuition? I realise cost is an issue here, but with a good tutor you might find that an hour a week would do wonders for you.

It's worth thinking about at least.

Sorry to hear about your lectured, in my experience this attitude is fairly typical of most academics, speak with the various student support groups around your college, see if any of your classmates can help you, and at least have a look at the possibility of getting some outside tuition.

nomadphase

I don't think private tuition should be the first step.

I think it depends on whether the course is essential preparatory
material for future modules in the course.
If it is not, perhaps OP will be better placed by focusing on
passing, with a little bit of help from a classmate, or even
better a friendly tutor.

I am fairly sure the tutor will not mind. It is what they are paid
for, and it is useful experience teaching someone until they
click with the subject. They should only be too happy to help you.

Best of luck.

By the way, what subject is it? if you don't mind saying.

Drift

Hey OP. Sorry to hear about your lecturer; just like every other walk of life there's good ones and bad ones.

What I'd suggest is to do one of the following:

1. Get a mate from the class to help you through it. They should be able to give you good ideas and they'll also be someone who you can bitch about the lecturer with to get if off your chest.

2. Find a postgraduate student in your subject and ask them if they'll do grinds with you in the subject. You'll have to pay but more than likely you'll get good one on one tuiton and if they're worth their salt they'll base it on exam type questions and how to help you pass the subject.

3. You can also go to your class tutor and explain that you're having problems in such and such a subject. When you are doing this, however, I would play down the ****eness of the lecturer to start with. When you explain your problem and the tutor says to ask the lecturer for help then you can show them the email. Whatever you do don't go in to the meeting at the start talking about how bad your lecturer is because that will make you look like a whingy moaner. Just say you're having problems and then when it comes up show them the email and play the downtrodden person as opposed to the pissed off person. It's more than likely in this case that the tutor will trying to help you set up something like Option 2 above.

I hope this helps you OP. I've quite a bit of experience when it comes to interaction of students and faculty and I can tell you that if you politely bring this lecturer to the attention of the powers that be it will percolate it's way through slowly wheras if you aggresively pursue it you're more than likely going to hurt your own prospects. It's not really fair but it's the way it goes. All the best for the course and the exams, stick in there.

jdivision

Tell us what the modules about and we can suggest some essay titles

metrovelvet

Get a private tutor. You are in University and should be developing intellectual independence not writing needy emails to your lecturer.

Sounds like a lack of confidence is what is cursing you.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies. I spoke to another classmate about this and he also said the teacher in question seems unhelpful to him and angry with him for no reason. I can't afford to pay for tuition, but I'm on my way to the union now to ask what additional learning support I can get. I am studying philosophy. I took this subject because I thought it would be interesting. I don't have a career in mind yet. The module I am having problems with is Wittgenstein. We are studying the first half of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. That's it really. The essay must be something to do with the first half of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. There's alot there, so a starting point would be helpful. I guess maybe I'll pick one of the numbered sections and try and discuss it, but I find Wittgenstein mind-boggling and very tough going. All the background reading by other authors is just as hard to understand. Another classmate said he will spare some time for me this week to help me come up with a few ideas.