How to Annoy Your Professor
Ten pet peeves that drive your college instructors insane
Oct 9, 2006 Naomi Rockler-Gladen
An annoyed professor is the last thing you want, because guess who has the grade book? Put down your cell phone and read about behaviors that drive professors crazy.
Here’s an important college life tip: Don't annoy your professor, and be aware of your professor's pet peeves. Your professor may not be your favorite person on campus, but never forget who's in charge of your grade. This doesn’t mean you have to be the teacher's pet, but you also don’t want to stand out as a problem student dunce. Unless you want an angry professor, avoid these behaviors.
- Whining. Professors hate whining students. Students who whine about the workload give the impression that they are lazy. Students who whine about their grades come across as high maintenance. If you must complain, do so as respectfully as possible.
- Text messaging your buddies in class. Yes, this is a creative and technology savvy way to pass the time. However, when you send a text message, it says to the professor, “You’re boring and I don’t want to pay attention to you.” This may be true! But if you hurt your professor’s ego, your grade may be in danger, so put the cell phone away. On a related note, don’t read the student newspaper in class. This low-tech activity has been annoying professors since before you were born.
- Chatting. This isn’t high school. Chit chatting during class will annoy your fellow students as well, so zip it.
- Turning in papers without staples. Nothing says, “I don’t care about my work” more than a paper with the corners crinkled together. Buy yourself a pocket stapler at a discount store.
- Calling professors at home. Unless your professor invites you to do so, this is an invasion of privacy.
- Chronic lateness. This is distracting to the professor and the students. If there’s a good reason why you’re going to be late often, let the professor know.
- Poor email etiquette. If you send emails to your professors that are full of misspelling and grammatical errors, U will seam real dumm. Be polite; email is not an excuse to be rude.
- Blowing off appointments. If you make an appointment with your professor, do not blow it off! Your professor is a very busy person and will remember this come grade time.
- Snotty comments in class. Professors loathe students who challenge their authority.
- Failure to turn off cell phones. For gosh sakes, put that thing on vibrate. Practice good cell phone etiquette on campus. Your professor is too old and unhip to care about your cool ring tone.
Related articles:
Six things you should know about your professors.
Academic success tips for students.
The copyright of the article How to Annoy Your Professor in Campus Life is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish How to Annoy Your Professor in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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