Sometimes a personality match or clash between a teacher and a student will at least partially determine the value that a class will have for the student. Consequently, students should put some effort into finding out about instructors.

What Kind of Instructor Do You Want?

If you are a serious student, you will avoid the "easiest" teacher since teachers who are not demanding are most likely cheating their students. Your ability to cope in more difficult and upper-division classes will depend on the development of study skills and knowledge in beginning classes. An instructor who does not require you to develop those skills and who provides you with little information can jeopardize your college career. Also to be avoided are instructors who are unreasonable in their requirements for a good grade in a course.

Using Peer Advice to Evaluate an Instructor

Evaluating the ability of an instructor to teach is no easy task. Your peers may provide you with a few insights if you ask them some of the following questions.

• Did you learn very much from the instructor?

• Was the instructor available to you during office hours?

• Was he reasonable in grading class material?

• If you took an introductory course, did the teacher give you a good overview of the topics of the course to prepare you for more advanced courses in the subject?

• Did the instructor emphasize only those things of interest to her, leaving out entire areas of the subject as described in the catalog?

• Did the instructor present information in a well-organized and understandable manner?

• Was the professor enthusiastic about the subject he taught? Did you become more interested in the subject or the class as a result of the instructor's enthusiasm?

• Did you enjoy or dread going to class? Why?

• Would you recommend this teacher?

Of course, you must "consider the source." A serious and motivated student may evaluate a teacher far differently from a poor or uninterested student. Ask the people you interview what grade they received in the course. The reports of those who received As and Bs should be given more weight than those of students who received Ds or Fs.

Know How to Talk with Your Professors

Meeting with your professors is one of the keys to why some students have a great experience in college while others did not. Really!

Check the links below for tips on how to make your office visits productive.

Making the Most of Your College Experience: Meet Your Professors A Harvard study reveals why meeting with professors is beneficial.

Get to Know Your Professors (College Board)

How to Get Reinforcement from Your Professors

In class behavior communicates a great deal to your instructors about your attitude toward learning, your peers, your professor, and the course. It is to your advantage to behave in a way that conveys and openness to learning and the class experience. The following web site presents some tips to help you convey a positive attitude. Reinforcement from Your Professors

What Else Should You Consider?

•  If you must take a course for which there is only one instructor and that instructor has a universally bad reputation, you may want to take the class at a different school, possibly during the summer.

• If you take a course with multiple sections and teachers, find out about each one. While when a course is offered is often important, whenever possible juggle your schedule as needed to accommodate a good choice of classes and professors.

• When in doubt, consult "Teacher Rating" sites. A good one for SWC instructors is ratemyprofessor.com. Check it out!

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