Problems with profs

Hey globalcounselor,

See if you can figure this one out. I am a engineering student at the University of Manitoba.  I am having a hard time understanding why I had to get such bad lecturers.  I don’t understand anything these guys are saying. There is one from China, another from India and one from some Latin country.  These guys are horrendous.  How am I to pass my exams when they’re not teaching me anything. Thanks to my study group I am passing but not because of any teaching. I ask myself why am I paying all this money in tuition fees when I could do just as well with the textbooks and my buddies. When I complained to the authorities I am told that the profs are not hired for their teaching skills but for their research and PhDs.  Whaaat! This is absolutely insane. Why can’t I get a prof who speaks English? Is that too much to ask.  I find these classes so boring. The next beef I have is with power point presentations. What’s up with that? Can’t these guys teach from both experience and text.  I am so disappointed and frustrated. 

On top of it all these profs don’t even seem like they enjoy what they do.  They are not even enthusiastic. I am fed up.

FED UP

Dear Fed up,

Bin there don that boy.  It is a shock to students when profs act as if they do not even care.  They come in with their little power points down pat boring presentations, some don’t even bother to ask any questions? at the end of it.

   I want to know that too? Why pay all that money to teach yourself in university.   I feel your frustration but hang in there. You do need that piece of paper for good jobs down the road. Stick with what is working – your study group. If you want to make changes, get a petition for better teachers going and make the administration stop and take you seriously. Threaten to take your money elsewhere.