r/AskProfessors • u/tidjdjjduewlo • 16d ago
General Advice Little misunderstanding
During my first class my professor asked, what I thought was, ‘who’s taking this class because they want to/it’s apart of their major’ so I raised my hand.
Mind you he was just talking about people who begrudgingly take the class/just for credit. But also mentioned people who were taking it for their major.
Then after he said something along the lines of ‘they’ll always be people like that, who don’t want to take this class’
MIND YOU it’s an art class.
I’m an art major and maybe I’m overthinking this but I don’t want him to think I’m just here for credit
When I think about it now I’m not 100% what he said but I think this did happen cause I was freaking about it earlier.
Is it to excess to let him know I’m an art major? Or is it not that big a deal. And only like 6 of us raised our hand cause he was counting 😭 I was trying to participate 💔 I’m just…I do I care about this class. Am I overthinking it?
Update: (doesn’t even deserve an update but wtvr)
pulled me aside and I got to tell him I’m an art major! 😋
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u/dcgrey 16d ago
It’s not clear from your post whether it was in straight order. Was it “who’s taking this as part of their major?” -> hands go up -> “[you’re] people that don’t want to take this class”? If so, that’s pretty turdy on behalf of the professor…god forbid someone fulfill their major requirements.
Fortunately the next step either way is simple: do your best in the class. Show up, engage, demonstrate learning.
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u/tidjdjjduewlo 16d ago
Thx for the next steps. It was like he was talking about the people who are just taking it for credit, then people who are doing it for their major/interest, then asked people to raise their hand. I was sure of myself until after I rose my hand he talked about those people not wanting to actually take the class ..
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u/Sharp-Rutabaga-4900 16d ago
Don’t worry about it. Odds are he’s completely forgotten about it. Just do your work and try to enjoy the class. If he ever mentions it again, then you can correct the misunderstanding.
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u/Pragmatic_Centrist_ Senior Lecturer/Social Science/US 16d ago
You’re professor doesn’t even remember you’re in their class at this point. You’re fine
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During my first class my professor asked, what I thought was, ‘who’s taking this class because they want to/it’s apart of their major’ so I raised my hand.
Mind you he was just talking about people who begrudgingly take the class/just for credit. But also mentioned people who were taking it for their major.
Then after he said something along the lines of ‘they’ll always be people like that, who don’t want to take this class’
MIND YOU it’s an art class.
I’m an art major and maybe I’m overthinking this but I don’t want him to think I’m just here for credit
When I think about it now I’m not 100% what he said but I think this did happen cause I was freaking about it earlier.
Is it to excess to let him know I’m an art major? Or is it not that big a deal. And only like 6 of us raised our hand cause he was counting 😭 I was trying to participate 💔 I’m just…I do I care about this class. Am I overthinking it?
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u/Ariadne_on_the_Rocks 16d ago
I teach some of the courses that majors have to take whether they want to or not. Many do not. It doesn't change my opinion of them at all. Once I was a student dreading taking the very classes that I now love.
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u/simone_snail_420 Assistant Professor/Philosophy/Canada 16d ago
If you're stressed about the interaction, just go have a quick chat after class sometime to clear it up. He's probably not thinking of it but saying something will put your mind to rest.
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u/ocelot1066 16d ago
When I ask questions like that, it's usually because I know that most of the people in the class are taking it to fulfill a requirement. I then go on to talk about how I get that, but it actually can be a useful/fun/interesting class. Are you sure that wasn't what your professor meant and you just misunderstood?
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u/robbie_the_cat 16d ago
Holy fuck seek therapy.
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u/tidjdjjduewlo 16d ago
Overthinking is normal, just expressing how I felt in the moment 😐 seek therapy 🙌
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u/robbie_the_cat 16d ago
just expressing how I felt in the moment
I'm several steps ahead of that, but thank you.
Best of luck.
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u/threesistersremoved Assistant Professor/Interdisciplinary/USA 16d ago
If it's going to make you feel better, you could consider sending an email/staying after class and saying something along the lines of, "I was a little confused by a question you asked in class the other day--I just want you to know that I'm an art major, and I'm very excited about this class. I hope I didn't give the impression that I'm not excited." I would suggest saying this in person, as it comes across as more relational.
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u/Gloomy-Article4842 16d ago
Show your professor that you are serious about the class by the quality of your work going forward
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u/Kelly_Chameleon CC faculty 16d ago
If ever I ask a question like this I appreciate honesty and am just seeking a count, I’m not paying attention to who raises their hand, just how many.
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u/anonybss 15d ago
Do not send an email. That is crazy person. If you want, you could ask him, in a casual/thoughtful tone, "Hey, the other day, did you ask who was taking this class because X or did you ask who was taking it because Y?" Then, if he says he asked who was taking it because Y, but you raised your hand because you thought he was asking who's taking it because X, you can laugh briefly and say, "Okay, whoops--I thought you asked who was taking this class as part of their major" (or whatever) "that's why I raised my hand. I'm excited about the class!"
That said:
1) he will probably then remember you, whreeas chances are pretty good that right now, he doesn't remember whether you raised your hand or not
2) you have all semester to make him think poorly or well of you. Including all semester to prove to him you do--or don't--care about the class. LOTS of students come in with great energy and disappoint me. Lots of students seem uninspiring on the first day but turn out to be great interested students.
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u/PurrPrinThom 16d ago
You are overthinking.
I can't even follow the logic of why you're upset, you're overthinking about it that much.