Going to college might make you nervous about the kinds of professors you're going to have. We've all seen the movies, but somehow they just never seem to do it justice! Fear not though, we're going to walk you through the 8 types of professors you're guaranteed to encounter so you feel a bit more prepared. Knowing who you're dealing with and how to handle them could mean the difference between an A and retaking their class!
1. The One Who Loves Their Job
This is the professor that everyone hopes to have. They come in every day with a huge smile on their face and are eager to help out whoever they can. All you have to do is show the slightest amount of interest in their class and they will totally fall in love with you. Be prepared for tons of enthusiasm and them pressuring you to change your major to whatever subject it is they're teaching. In all seriousness though, these professors are the ones whose teachings you will remember and who you will hope to have for the rest of your time in college. Unfortunately, though, you won't.
2. The One Who Hates Their Job
Unlike the previous professor, this one isn't too thrilled about having to come to class every day. In fact, they feel the exact opposite and wish they could be anywhere else no doubt making you feel the same way. Don't expect a lot of extra help on assignments or for them to have open office hours. Your best bet - keep your head down and do the work as best you can without their help. The best you can hope for is to just walk out of that class with nothing but a grade. No passion, no enthusiasm, just a letter on a report card. Stay strong though, and hope the next professor won't be nearly that bad.
3. The One With The Monotone
You better hope that you don't have this professor during the early morning hours. They may love the subject they're teaching, but you'd never know it based on how boring their voice is. You might even love the subject they're teaching but the second that professor starts talking it's going to be lights out. Honestly, it might not even be worth it to go to this class just because you're going to be asleep the whole time. If you do go, bring lots of coffee in an effort to stay awake and absorb as much information as possible.
4. The One With No Heart
Shortly after showing up to campus, you'll hear this professor's name being whispered around dormitory halls as students compare gossip and rumors they've heard about the professor whose heart has turned to stone. For students, passing this professor's class is something like a rite of passage, and by the time it's over you'll come out looking like a grizzled war veteran who has seen too much. The tests are too hard, the homework takes too long, and this professor actually takes attendance. Our advice? Suck it up and suffer through it - most people who have entered this class have come out the other side, and you will too.
5. The One Who's Older Than The School
These professors look like they're older than the universities they teach at, and much like the one with no heart, everyone knows this professor's name. However, they tend to bring positivity and fun to a job from which they are basically unfireable. The downside is that they've basically forgotten how to teach, or they don't care to anymore since retirement is on the horizon. On the flip side, they tell some of the best stories and have basically lost any and all filter. Talk to them and learn as much as you can - not about the subject they teach, but about life in general.
6. The One Who Loves To Party
This professor had an awesome time in college and they never wanted to graduate. So what did they do? They decided to double down and come back so they can keep the party going for as long as possible. You'll see them out at the bars way more than you see them in class, although their desire to be accepted by a group of 18-22 year-olds might be a little off-putting. Suggest having class at their favorite watering hole and buy them their favorite drink. They'll tell you that you won't get any extra credit for it but the reality - you will.
7. The One Who Barely Speaks English
Brilliance is found throughout the world, there's no doubt about that. Unfortunately, it's hard to understand that brilliance when the person speaking it talks with an accent that even a UN interpreter couldn't comprehend. Again, we're not bashing foreigners, we're just saying that we'd love to know what they're saying - and speaking the same language would really help with that.
8. The One You Have A Crush On
This professor's class is always packed, even though most of the students don't have a major that comes remotely close to what they're teaching. How could that possibly be? Once you take their class and get a glimpse at their face/eyes/body you'll understand. Good luck trying to learn anything with that gorgeous aura they have, at least you won't have to worry about falling asleep during these lectures though!