NaBloPoMo #13: Professor v. student

It's funny to think about whether I look at law school from the perspective of a professor, or a student. I know I do both, but it's interesting to see when/how.

On the professor side: the other day, one of my classmates was talking about their big research memo (we got them back recently and have to rewrite them), and pulling the "the professor didn't like my paper because he didn't agree with my point of view/I didn't argue the side he wanted me to argue." I'm sure I've said the same thing, back before I ever started grading papers. But now, the professor part of me just wanted to tell this student, "Look, the professor doesn't care WHAT you argue, as long as you argue it WELL. If the professor didn't like your paper, there's probably something else going on rather than him disagreeing with you."

I mean, I'm sure it's possible that professors exist who penalize students because they don't like the students' opinions. But honestly, I would say 99% of professors do NOT CARE what a student argues, as long as they do it well. I find it frustrating when students see it otherwise, partly because it (sometimes) reflects an attitude that this is all some kind of game, that there are ways to get around professors and requirements, that there are strategies and tactics and things that matter besides doing your work. Seriously, you're much better off if, instead of trying to scheme your way through, you just pay attention, read the directions carefully, and do what's asked of you, okay?

(But I think this is a particularly law school thing, fostered by the dreaded curve - there is a whole industry out there that tells students they can't just go to class, do the work, study, and do well; they have to FIGURE OUT the SYSTEM!!! and if they purchase this one product that holds the SECRETS TO SUCCESS, they will do better than everyone else!!! Because it's not like anyone else can actually buy the same product. Nah.) (And I should add that maybe I will indeed lose out in the future because I'm not frenziedly buying all the SECRETS TO SUCCESS!!!!!!, but so far, having worked on the other side of the classroom, it all seems pretty transparent to me. I'll let you know how this has worked for me once I get my grades!)

It's also sort of funny to watch the professors that I think are really good, and be able to observe what I think makes them really good from a professor's viewpoint, not just a student's. One of my best professors is so good, that in those few instances where things aren't quite as clear or engaging, I can recognize - from someone who's been there - that they're either really tired, or just got their organization just a little bit off, that kind of thing.

But I've also reverted to student mode. Recently, I was a little horrified to realize that when I e-mailed a classmate about something I had to miss, I said, "Let me know if I missed anything important." Ack! If I'd said that to me-the-professor, I'd have had to restrain a really snarky response! Thankfully, I didn't say it to a professor, and I don't think I would have, but it was funny to recognize the studentism in my attitude.

And when my professors are, well, um, not so good (thankfully very rare), the student in me comes out much more than the professor. I probably could come up with a more pedagogically informed analysis than, "they don't make sense," but I get all sulky and feel no need to! (and yes, during such classes, I will check my e-mail. Which I said I'd never do. But I do. Briefly, and I don't surf, or chat, or write e-mail; but I will glance and see if I have new messages!) (and FWIW, I am considering hand-writing notes next semester to ensure I can't do this.)

So, I don't think I will ever entirely lose the perspective from the front of the classroom; but there are elements of student-dom that definitely outweigh the professorial voice in my head.

* * * * *

Follow-up to my last post: thank you, everyone, for all your sympathy; it really helps a lot. Youngest Cat is much the same today, though I'm proud of myself for managing to squish up one of his steroid chews and get most of it down his throat. Whereupon he promptly hid under the bed.

And within 10 minutes of that, Middle Cat, who'd been sitting in the tub drinking water from the tap, must have ingested something that didn't agree with her (a little soap or shampoo, maybe?), because she yakked a buttload of water (and a little food) all over the bathroom floor, then freaked herself out and ran around the apartment drooling and licking her lips, trying to get rid of the taste. She's fine now, but the cats around here aren't the happiest lately!

Comments

[Another Damned Medievalist]

Oh -- I saw the post about Youngest this morning, and didn't get a chance to get back. I hope he's just got a cold or something. And he sure is sweet looking. And can I just say I tend to go into student mode in faculty meetings?

[philosopherP]

Thanks for posts like this one. Hubby is seriously considering law school next year and his conversion from prof to student is one of his big concerns.

[dance]

My university is developing a strategic plan for the future. So I went to the open discussion. While there, I read the draft plan (which I had not read before) and looked over the blog where people have been commenting on the plan. I mean, I felt pretty virtuous---I was reading things about the topic, right?---but certainly I'd hate if a student sat in my class doing that day's reading or working on next week's essay.

So sorry about the kitty!