Professors’ pet peeves about their students

Students have bad habits. Most people would probably agree that the habits usually associated with students aren’t usually positive.

Even professors admit that their students have bad habits that drive them up the wall.

Tamarah Kohanski, a professor in UConn’s English department, says that multitasking students are a big pet peeve for her classes.

“They sit there on the computer, and you know they’re on Facebook,” she said.

Like many teachers, Kohanski requests that students refrain from using cell phones and computers in class, since she knows she risks losing their attention.

The use of cell phones is also an issue in the classroom of Robert Wyss, a journalism professor. He said that, while he doesn’t experience the problem as often anymore, he does observe people texting, and hears the occasional ringing.

Another concern is students spacing out during the lectures.

To many teachers, it feels as though the students are expecting to get the degree without learning anything or fully understanding the education. This, in turn, frustrates the professors trying to teach.

“If I were spending what people spend on an education,” said Kohanski, “I would very well be glued to every bit of educational information that’s coming my way.”

It was suggested that if students paid more attention, or at least looked like they were trying to, then they would do better in their classes.

Another thing for students to keep in mind is communication with their professors.

Wyss said that he’s had multiple occasions where his students didn’t communicate with him, and almost were downgraded because of it.

“I really would say that communication with the professor is probably one of the most important things,” he said.

Whether telling the teacher about an exam that was missed or just getting to know the teacher, he said that even emailing him would suffice enough to help significantly.

Using the semicolon incorrectly is one thing that bothers English Professor Daniel Herman, as well as improper homophone use, such as with the words “their,” “they’re,” and “there.”

But, he said, one thing that really bother him is seeing his students spacing out while talking about a historically important work of fiction, such as “Moby Dick” or “The Odyssey.”

“Look, I know this might not be your major,” he said of these students. “I know this won’t help you find a job or compete in the global marketplace or whatever. But these books are about something bigger than that.”

While not all teachers are English professors, or are even as enthusiastic about works of fiction, this is a common idea repeated throughout the school: you paid money for the teachers to teach you. Don’t let it go to waste.

In short, pay attention in classes, because teachers notice the students that don’t. Cut back on cell phone usage, and when using a laptop, stay involved in the class discussion.