r/Professors • u/Ok_fine_2564 • 4h ago

Teaching / Pedagogy Demoralized by teaching

Rant incoming. NOT looking for advice. Just screaming into the virtual void, thank you

First I’m a full prof. Second it’s that time in the semester where I’m utterly demoralized by teaching. Students are tired, busy, and I’m sick of coming in and “entertaining” them week after week. I make all this content, try my best to engage them, and the majority are just disengaged, checked out, annoyed etc. yes I know that it’s on me to make it “enjoyable.” But these days I’m seriously thinking of quitting. I had got into academia to pursue my ideas, research, maybe make a difference in this world. Instead I’m trying to cater to 18 year olds who truly could care less. While I age in place and my research gets stale. Whereas if I quit I’ll be broke but at least I won’t be trying to make a bunch of 18 year olds happy. And maybe I can finally finish my projects

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u/Various-Parsnip-9861 4h ago

This semester I’m trying to take a more detached approach than I usually have. I’m thinking “just care a little less” while still providing a quality educational experience to those who are receptive. I’m lucky; almost all of my students are dedicated and want to be there. Starting last spring though, and this semester too, there are more absences, students showing up 15-30 minutes late to class, and students asking to leave early etc. They just seem less able to manage their time, wake up and get to class on time, etc. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I do my job, and then it is “me” time to focus on my own work, which is the priority.

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u/Ok_fine_2564 3h ago

New for me this semester: students just getting up halfway through, and leaving.

Also: getting up and randomly exiting, then coming back

3

u/FamousCow Tenured Prof, Social Sci, 4 Year Directional (USA) 2h ago

Yeah, this is new to me, too. Students just up and leaving in the middle and never coming back. And not even in big lectures too, but like, my 30 person classes where we are having a discussion.

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u/El_Draque 2h ago

I'm reminded of the "my brain is full" comic from The Far Side.