We’ve all experienced it. You’re sitting in class, avidly taking notes, closely listening to your professor, when all of a sudden, some smart a** (who apparently knows more than your professor), begins to share his or her view on the topic.
My question to the people who do this—if you’re so damn smart and know everything, why are you in university? Shouldn’t you already have a job if you’re so knowledgeable? Also, why aren’t you teaching the class?
I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t pay upwards of $6,000 to listen to a student profess or give their opinion. I’m paying good money for the expertise and knowledge that my professors possess.
Recently I was in a class where results of a psychology study were revealed to the class. After learning the results, a student bursts out and says, “I’m not sure that I agree with that! I think…” Guess what? When you write the test, it doesn’t matter if you agree with the results or not-the answer will be what is written in your textbook or what the professor has taught you. The results are the results, whether you agree with them or not.
I really feel for our hardworking professors during times like these. A lot of classes are only 50 minutes long and sometimes a good five to 10 minutes is wasted because someone doesn’t “agree” with something, or someone “feels” a certain way about something. Imagine how the professor that you are arguing with feels—why am I defending myself to this student when I have my PhD and they haven’t even completed their undergrad?
If you don’t understand something or have a question pertaining to what’s happening in class, of course, ask a question. That’s what we’re paying for and other students will likely benefit from the discussion.
If you’d like to talk about an experience that you’ve had based on what was just taught, save it for your buddy sitting next you after class, use your professors’ office hours, or catch your prof after class to talk about it. Most likely the class isn’t going to care about your opinion and it may even be confusing if what you have to say differs from what is taught.
So the next time you’re sitting in your seat and are shaking with excitement to share your “feelings” with the class, think about it. If it isn’t a valid question or something that others can benefit from, save it. The rest of your class will appreciate it. Go out, get your own PhD and then you can share your stories and feelings all you want.
If you’re like me and can’t stand people like this, just pass them a copy of The Baron. They’ll get the hint—hopefully.
