Lecturer

LegacyUser

Hi all, I just want to throw this out there & see what yee all think.
I am currently 2nd year in college - I'm a mature student in my late 30's. Now I'm no stunner by any means & am over weight but I have a lecturer that just stares at me in class as he speaks.
I find this very off putting because even when I'm not looking at him when he speaks & then when I look up he is still looking at me.
Don't get me wrong here, he is a really nice guy & probably just a few years older than me but at this stage of my life I would not do anything with a lecturer that would compromise my studies as I have another 2 years to go in my degree.
I find that in class I cannot concentrate on what he is saying because of his staring & I have tried to stare at him back to make him stop (childish I know) & this does work but I've had enough.
What do yee make of it all.... I'd just like some feedback on this
Thanks

PhysiologyRocks

It could simply be that you appear to be the most attentive or receptive student. Mature students are often (perhaps unfairly) assumed to be.

It happens to me from time to time too, and with more than one lecturer. I really don't think they're all after me!

I can understand, however, how it could be uncomfortable for you. But I think if there was anything romantic going on he'd try to be more subtle, unless he is seriously socially unaware.

Are you sitting toward the back, some people talking to a group can focus on one person when speaking, especially if that person is toward the back it helps for voice projection. It's just how they try and address a group. Especially if you look like you're being attentive, it'll just catch.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the repies guys.

I have tried moving around the room even sitting at the front. My friend even commented on it one day so its not just me that has noticed this.
I would hate for my class mates to pick up on this too because I do get good results in my CA's and its all off my own back. I would'nt like anybody to think that there was something going on with me and my lecturer.

HugoDrax

It's very difficult to address a large group of people so often public speakers will focus on a single point. He perhaps knows and respects you so his eyes end up landing on you. There is probably nothing romantic whatever about this at all.:)

Ickle Magoo

Confused_at_college wrote: »

Thanks for the repies guys.

I have tried moving around the room even sitting at the front. My friend even commented on it one day so its not just me that has noticed this.
I would hate for my class mates to pick up on this too because I do get good results in my CA's and its all off my own back. I would'nt like anybody to think that there was something going on with me and my lecturer.

Instead of trying to stare him out - as others have said when you are addressing a group you tend to look around and make eye-contact - look down at your notes and listen or look to the side and watch him in your peripheral vision...if you aren't making eye contact you will be less likely to draw his attention.

As an aside, staring at someone you fancy or even a face you know while giving a lecture is very off-puting, especially if they stare back...it's easier to do just the opposite and stare at people you don't fancy/know.

Best of luck

Outkast_IRE

If lecturers find you to be attentive they tend to talk at you a fair bit , iv encountered this myself and it can seem a little offputting but it just makes it easier on the lectuer to focus on what hes talking about rather than looking around the room

Poor Craythur

HugoDrax wrote: »

It's very difficult to address a large group of people so often public speakers will focus on a single point. He perhaps knows and respects you so his eyes end up landing on you. There is probably nothing romantic whatever about this at all.:)

Yeah, I agree. OP, whenever I give presentations, I always pick someone to focus on, and it's the usually the most attentive, interested looking person in the room.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies. As I've said I do find it very off putting so yesterday I kept looking at the monitor with the odd glance up at him to find him looking at me. There is only about 10 of us in the computer lab & I sat at the front but nothing changed. Even when he was speaking I just continued on with my work but it made no difference.

Ah well... semester is nearly over & we won't have him again but thanks again for your replies, at least that makes it easier to understand why