Replies

The only Professor who I could rightfully blame for not getting an A would be this damn Russian, who expected everyone in a Chem 2 class to already know calculus. His examples were all written in strange mathematical equations which I showed to someone about to get their degree in Chemistry, and his response was “What IS this alien language!?” His examples and explanations only made me more confused.

I ended up teaching myself Chemistry that semester, and the A I did receive was the most difficult one I ever got. I went to tutors every week, spent hour upon hour studying every week. More than half the class failed. Everyone called him Hitler, or Stalin, since we weren’t quite sure what his nationality was.

On the bright side at least he isn’t treating you like a retard. ;P

Somehow he managed to inspire you, you did your best, overcame a great obstacle and prospered. Too few students today ever come close to that type of accomplishment or experience real gratification.

The only Professor who I could rightfully blame for not getting an A would be this damn Russian, who expected everyone in a Chem 2 class to already know calculus. His examples were all written in strange mathematical equations which I showed to someone about to get their degree in Chemistry, and his response was “What IS this alien language!?” His examples and explanations only made me more confused. I ended up teaching myself Chemistry that semester, and the A I did receive was the most difficult one I ever got. I went to tutors every week, spent hour upon hour studying every week. More than half the class failed. Everyone called him Hitler, or Stalin, since we weren’t quite sure what his nationality was.

I had a similar experience in undergrad school. I had 2 years of chemistry in high school andcould balance equations in my sleep. In a college chemistry course I got the correct answers on the first 2 tests, but they were scored incorrect because I did not use the method professor required. By the time I caught on and aced the remaining tests, it cost me a B rather than an A, resulting in a 3.499999 GPA at graduation and costing me a magnum cum laude, even though the requirements were a 3.5 GPA (2 significant digits) and the refusal of the college to use standard rounding rules. I graduated in 3 years with a double major in chemistry and biology, and was no dummy. I protested to no avail at the time but this cost my undergraduate school millions in alumni donations that I chose to give to my medical school instead.

“I ended up teaching myself Chemistry that semester, and the A I did receive was the most difficult one I ever got. I went to tutors every week, spent hour upon hour studying every week.”

Bingo!

And, if she’d done the same thing (and maybe even gotten a little counseling of her own), she could well be on her way to that $1.3 mill career she’s dreaming about.

I had a similar experience. It was a Calc 3 class taught by a German lady. Very heavy accent, refused to stay more than 30 seconds after class, and was an awful teacher. Out of a class of 25+, four people passed. Two were children of fathers with PHD’s in mathematics and two guys that never worked harder to get a C. I was one of them.

Everyone in the class had passed Calc 2 but for some reason all become dummies in her presence.

HA!

I have a similar story. The worst German professor I ever had was a new one. She was horrible. She yelled at people, pointed and yelled at people and when anyone protested (in English), she would scream "AUF DEUTSCHE, AUF DEUTSCHE".

No one could explain the problem "AUF DEUTSCHE" so she continued to scream. One gentle man cried.

I told the dean I wanted out. Problem was class could not go under 10 students and if I left, there would only be nine students left and the class would be cancelled.

I really didn't care. So, the dean ended up teaching me herself and still counting me to be the 10th student.

Wonder where that instructor is now. Probably still shouting "AUF DEUTSCHE" and serving in Obama administration.