When I started my undergraduate classes, there was an odd tendency I discerned among some professors, and now arriving at the fifth semester, I feel that the trend has never been broken along the way. On every semester there were professors who took half the class time to eulogize the degrees they have acquired, and the conventions they have attended. They enter class with one thing in their mind—that they are the one with the most wisdom in the class—and they repeatedly emphasize it with words and actions.
While it is true that they are the persons with most knowledge inside the class, is it really necessary to prove it to the students? To quote a professor of my early semester: "You people have seen my height, but inverse to that, my academic accomplishments are very high." Apparently, he did not perceive himself as tall. He taught with a salty attitude, answering us with a sly smile whenever we asked him something, and used to mark our ideas and views as "futile." Another professor, while discussing on different topics, would consistently slam us saying "You don't even know about it," and used to joke off a student's point of view.Apparently, class discussion befuddles some professors. They do not want any interruptions through the lecture, and if someone dares ask any question in between, they retaliate as if the student has stepped on their pride. They hold a peculiar view that students should listen continuously to whatever the professor babbles. Some others are less stiff; they let two way discussions flourish in the class. A big portion of these less stiff ones, as I have found, can be categorized basically into two groups. Professors in the first category applaud the views of students that resonate with theirs, but diffuse those that are against them—and usually without any rationalization. Professors in the second category presume that the views would be incomplete as they're coming from students. Without making any comment, they never approve of the students' views.
I was skeptic that I may have been very unlucky with the professors, until I discussed the matter with my friends from other colleges. As expected, it was not a very different story with them, but the startling part was that most of my friends perceive the matter as very ordinary. They even approve the professors' acts. Since professors have an elevated academic status, they have the right to act and treat us, on their wish, they say.
For me the remarks, observations and support of my mentors are crucial factors for my motivation. But sadly, what professors do in our class in general are very discouraging, and hinder the process of creating a healthy learning atmosphere. It would not have bothered much if only few professors acted that way, or if was an exceptional case of my college. Unfortunately, if the experiences of my friends from different colleges are anything to go by, it's a general practice in all undergraduate classes.
Looking down on students demoralizes them and has similar effects of bullying. In fact, it is a kind of bullying—intellectual bullying. And this should stop right away!
Bhabuk is an undergraduate student of Business Administration at Liberty College in Anamnagar, Kathmandu.
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