Welcome to r/AskProfessors!

I'm in my final year of my bachelors degree and working on my bachelors thesis. In this project, I had to build upon the code written by my one of my seniors (he's graduated a while back).

The code he wrote was awful. Almost nothing worked. Thus guy hard coded print statements into some of the scripts to make it look like it was giving an output. He also put the same scripts under different names to make it look like a different script. I basically had to restart the project from scratch. I corrected all mistakes and made the runtime faster too.

How do I politely tell this to my supervisor (if at all)?

We were assigned an essay on a specific prompt which there are many ways which one could go with it, but not completely open ended. There are potentially more than one “correct answer” but there are also definitely “incorrect ones”. Our essays are working through a classic “problem” raised in one of our readings.

The professor, I think deliberately, never touched on this particular problem in any lectures and it is somewhat removed from what we are learning in class. Engages with the concepts, but not in this particular way.

In researching the topic, I found a youtube video from almost a debate ago where my professor talks through different ways to approaches the problem. The video is around 15 mins long and is singularly focused on the prompt.

Following his ideas would make writing the paper 1000% easier. Because it’s a rather short video, filling in the frameworks would be almost entirely my own analysis, but there also definitely is a lot that I realistically wouldn’t have come up with on my own.

I was wondering if this is fair-game since it’s a public youtube video (albeit never shared with the class) or if it’s some sort of academic dishonesty which I should steer away from.

Now that I’ve seen the video, it’s kind of hard to think of other ways to approach the problem, but were given 3 prompts to choose from so I’m considering just choosing one of the other prompts.

Would love to hear your take!

One of my graduate classes had a project due (one of a few big projects assigned for the course rather than having regular small assignments). The prompt was pretty vague and a lot of us in the class were confused about what was being asked of us. People tried emailing the prof a week or two in advance but he didn't respond. As an online remote student in a distant timezone, it's not like I have the option to find him in his office.

I submitted the assignment and now after seeing other students talk about it in a group chat I'm concerned I might have approached it completely wrong... we were asked to design a display in a vehicle and then defend out design choices (the design was 1/3 of the project grade and the defense 2/3). However, the wording made it extremely unclear what type of display was in scope (infotainment display or standard main display for speed, fuel, etc.). I designed the latter, but others seem to have designed the former.

I had actually started to sketch out the former, but based on the other expectations of this class it seemed like this was way harder than what would be expected. So I have a partially completed sketch for this and pivoted to the main display design, which I think was successful and well argued.

My question is... should I reach out to this professor and ask him if I did this wrong to preemptively see if I should try to fix something? Send him my partially completed other design? Should I wait until he finally grades it? He has been months behind on grading anything in this course so I barely know where I stand in the first place.

Any advice would be appreciated! If I bomb this it will really tank my grade in the class and I could lose a scholarship even though I've otherwise been doing really well, so I'm nervous.

Edit: I am neither in the US nor EU. This may be a cultural issue. It may also be me taking things too literally as I am autistic. Thank you to the people who gave genuine answers.

This professor was my third choice (we get 5, in order), and I'm sure I only got her because she personally chose me, as I and her other supervisees were together in her classes multiple times, and she expressed particular admiration for us specifically.

She's also involved in admin and I could tell from other professors' reactions that they were barely involved in the selection process. Anyway, she is nice, and respected within the faculty, and also did some interesting work, so I wasn't too concerned by having her supervise me.

However, she may be a lot less involved than I had hoped her to be. I've discussed my dissertation with her twice now. The first time was a face to face meeting, where it went okay, but I had to repeat my questions many times for her to give a genuine answer that isn't a variation of "that could also work/ that's also a good idea". I chalked it up to her not wanting to shoot down any ideas too early, and didn't overthink it, as she also gave me small tasks to refine my topic and have a clearer vision.

The second time, I sent her a message including a short document of 200~ words (a table, and lists of technical terms, not a block of text), that served as a way to fulfill her tasks and to also ask her 2 additional questions (both yes or no). I mentioned sending it for her to review whenever she'd be able to, but she answered the next morning with a generic series of texts saying she's glad to see I started working early, she's proud of me, to continue what I'm doing and we could refine things later, etc. Not a single question was answered, and not a word she typed referenced anything I mentioned.

I was so taken aback I just replied with an "alright, thank you". But I've been thinking about it since that day.

Is this what master's supervision is supposed to be like? Should I try to switch supervisors,? There's the other two professors I had in mind, but I don't know what my official reason would be, "x professor is too vague/uninvolved for me" feels way too confrontational, especially when she chose me personally, and is basically close in status to being the head of our department.

Hello everyone. This is really just out of curiosity rather than any particular concern (I feel fairly confident I'm in a good standing with all of my professors, so I guess if they ever mention me, I don't think I should be worried?). But, I saw a post in what I think was some college focused subreddit from someone who worked in academia explaining that professors and faculty talk fairly often about their students to one another, and how she was surprised how many students don't realize this.

I guess I never really thought too much about it, but I suppose it would make sense. Do you intentionally bring up particular interactions with students to your peers as the main topic? Or is it usually just if it comes up casually?

Do you guys use ChatGPT or an AI tool? If so, how do you use it? My professors have used AI to create and grade assignments which I don’t care about because she is nice and a fair grader

Hello,

I am trying to figure out if there is anything else I need to do to improve my chances to get hired as an adjunct instructor. Is there online courses or certifications that I should utilize that go over pedagogy and syllabus building?

For context, I get out of the military next summer. I want to be a college professor but will not be applying until next year. I have a bachelors in English literature and will have a master’s in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures (World Literature/Ethnic Studies). For my CV, I will have conference presentations but likely nothing published. My only official teaching experience has been in the military teaching medical courses, so a completely different subject. What else can I do?

The actual main question: Do professors sometimes explicitly initiate the LOR process with students or even write a LOR without being asked (the latter sounds impractical now that I think about it)?

Or do the passive, quiet (for whatever reason) students eventually get out of their comfort zone or go through their anxiety because the expectation is that students have to take the social initiative if they want a letter of recommendation?

Secondary question: I heard four professors in STEM say something in a LOR Q&A workshop for a large conference that makes me think I misunderstood them.

I think they said that while earning a high grade and completing all the coursework is a poor reason to ask for a letter of recommendation, even just sitting in front of the class and attending office hours is enough to ask for an LOR (just would have to remind them)... Is that true? It sounds like it would still be an unremarkable letter.

hi! (my apologies if i've flaired this wrong) i'm in my senior year undergrad and currently working on applications for master's programs. i'm applying (hopefully) to around 10 schools—i'm paranoid about not getting into any. but that means asking professors for recommendation letters like 10 times. i don't want to nuisance any of my professors at all, but i think they have to do them repeatedly.

is there a way that i can make this easier for my professors, or so that they don't have to write it out 10 times? please let me know! (i also don't really have experience asking for rec letters so any advice is welcome.) thank you!! :)

EDIT 2: Thank you all for your opinions! It seems that his behavior is normal and I’m just overthinking things. Unless things escalate in any way: I will continue to just interact with him as normal. :)

Hi all! I’m 21F and an undergrad. I had this specific professor (around 45ish?) for two previous classes. He teaches a different subject than what I’m majoring in. But I liked his teaching style and found his class interesting, so I chose to take him for an elective.

Him and I got pretty close during the time I had him, but I always saw him as a mentor. Every time we’ve talked in person, it’s always been class or university adjacent with some personal anecdotes mixed in. We ended up becoming Facebook friends after I wasn’t his student anymore.

The other day, I heard someone call my name while I had headphones in and I turned around to see him. He was in between his classes and had just finished talking to a student before striking up a short conversation with me. He told me that he just wanted to say hi and went back to his class. I sent him a brief email afterwards apologizing for my initial awkwardness. He told me that it was okay and that he was happy to be able to talk to me. He ended the email saying he hoped to see me again.

Sure enough, I saw him again the next week when I was outside of the art studio in the same building. During the conversation, we talked about my current classes and plans for my career. He told me I was one of his favorite students and that I was definitely seemed confident and mature enough for grad school. He’s also complimented what I wore a few times. But to be fair, my style is a bit eccentric. I wear colorful eyeshadow and I match fun earrings (i.e. ducks, mini Cheetos bags, vinyl records, etc.) to what I’m wearing.

My parents and boyfriend think it’s strange and want me to avoid him. I really do enjoy our conversations and his support of me throughout my college career. But I don’t want to give off the wrong impression or get him in trouble.

EDIT: Since some of you are asking, I sent the friend request. I have two other professors in my major as Facebook friends and he was suggested as their mutual friend.

I have a presentation for a class that I have to record. I live literally right behind a Zoo, so you can hear elephants trumpeting (more than a normal person would expect, honestly).

But what happens if my presentation is good in general, but then an elephant trumpets during it? Would that influence how you personally would grade it? Would I have to send an email to my prof explaining that?

I know it's such an obscure thing.

I'm a bit perturbed. I handed back essays in my comp class tonight, and two students tried to hijack the rest of the class because they weren't happy with the grades they received. (I know -- rookie mistake -- shouldn't have given them back at the beginning...)

Anyway, they said it's "disparaging" (they don't know what that word means) that I will look at their drafts at any stage of the process, point out whatever sticks out, and give them back so that they can fix those problems before final submission. But when they get their essays back? Solid C's. Right. Because the essays are C essays. "It's discouraging. It's frustrating. It's not right. I fixed what you said and now I have a C." Mind you, I've had students try to take me to task over an earned grade, but never in class, trying to start a pile-on. The rubric is clear. The assignment sheet is specific, thorough, and clear. We do workshops before any final draft is due, after which they have a week to make revisions. I look at their writing any time they want me to.

To top it off, I have one who, when she does deign to enter the class, shows up at least 40 minutes late. She came after the quiz had been collected and was incensed that I wouldn't allow her to take it at the end of the class. I know that shit happens, but shit happens weekly with this one. "What do you mean I can't take my quiz? How am I supposed to get my grade?" I don't know ... maybe ... show up? Or not sign up for a class at a time you won't be able to show up? Maybe withdraw before you fail because life has intervened to such an extent that it isn't feasible to complete the course? I've already given her so many concessions.

For context: This is at a local community college which is fed by the absolute worst district in the state. The students in the composition courses make it there via remedial English, where nothing is ever actually remediated. They couldn't score a minimum score on the ACT and couldn't score a minimum score on the AccuPlacer test, so they got shoved into remedial with a well-meaning but delusional high school teacher, who then passed them because that's just what you do in high school. Indeed, most of them are functionally illiterate; a "C" is a high grade for this group. Mind you, I'm also a high school teacher now, and I've taught in precisely the kinds of schools these students came from, but I'm not new to higher education; I spent nine years as a full-time assistant and associate professor at the state flagship. I know that students' lives can be turned upside down and that things happen. But I also know there are mechanisms to deal with those situations: W's and incompletes. I am more than willing to advocate for the student to receive either of those when life is just too much in the way and helping the student has become a fool's errand.

At some point, the community colleges have GOT to have actual standards, not just "Oh, shit, the accreditors are coming! Everyone write a ridiculously detailed syllabus!" standards or "Oh, shit, the four-year university is wanting to review our articulation agreement! Everyone to your battle stations!" standards. There are some great ones, but for every great one, there are at least three terrible ones like mine.

I'm 4.5 years into my PhD program in Experimental Psychology. I should hopefully graduate in December 2024, although I have until February 2025 to make sure my differed dissertation grade is changed to passing accordingly.

I'm posting because I declined a position for a full time lecturer position back in June. Even though this topic is an older one, it came up recently in discussions I had with other disabled academics (i.e., I'm autistic, have ADHD-I, dysgraphia, and 3rd percentile processing speed). I declined the position in large part due to my low ratings after I was a visiting full time instructor at a SLAC last academic year as well as major issues I had related to autistic burnout and other behavioral issues that warranted me going on Ketamine throughout October. The position and general life events (e.g., my car spinning out on the road and getting totaled back in January) lead to partial hospitalization where I had to make classes online asynchronous (with the chair's permission) for around three weeks. I did this since the chair said he couldn't find any other faculty to cover for me. Students review bombed me for this (they didn't know it was behavioral health hospitalization to be clear).

Fortunately, I have no interest in teaching going forward. I did that visiting instructor position at the SLAC because my funding ran out early due to university budget issues (fortunately, my program was paid off my third year) and I had application materials ready after I was an adjunct at a CC for a semester that I edited accordingly. I also have a coach that assists neurodivergent individuals my parents paid for in my case who was an adjunct herself and gave some brief feedback on my application materials, which was helpful. My current Ph.D advisor also helped me too.

I was told by a couple of those in the discussion that the decision I made was "stupid" among other comments. Notably, I asked this campus to extend my decision date by a week so I could figure out my plans going forward. I didn't email them till an hour or two after the decision deadline to explicitly tell them I declined. I had no replies to that email or anything. However, I did see they reposted the job listing a week or so after I declined it.

Does rejecting this position look bad? Does this mean my name will be "blacklisted" as someone not to hire for other instructor positions in the future (if so, this doesn't really matter since I hated teaching by the end of everything with a passion)? The main thing I'm concerned about is how this will affect my already negative reputation among academics in my own department where I'm doing my Ph.D and others who could write potential letters of recommendation potentially noting I set myself back on opportunities maybe.

For those wondering, I'm living with my parents now because my only in person commitments are conferences I must attend for my fellowship and am not being charged rent or utilities at all. I had no backup plan for another job (not working now in other words), but I'm living on my savings and the fellowship money I got last year too.

Hi everyone! I’m in my fifth year of an undergraduate degree in Philosophy. I had an awkward office hour moment with a professor, and wanted to reach out for advice on how I can better improve my interactions and questions.

Context: long read, feel free to skip.

To preface, I am generally quite stressed at the idea of attending office hours. It feels like I am wasting the time of a leading expert with something I can find out with more reading.

Today, I visited an office hour to discuss some questions I had about a text’s references to certain concepts. To prepare, I reread the text, read an accompanying text, did a quick cursory reading of previous papers I had encountered that explored these concepts, and created a list of questions with references to the text pages. Unfortunately, I absolutely floundered and wasted 25 minutes of my professors time as I blanked out on why I approached these questions and understandings. I feel like I was suddenly anxious, and scatter brained. Suddenly trying to prove that I had done the necessary work, or trying to remember why my questions were worthwhile. I am definitely quite bummed. But, I want to take this experience constructively, and improve my skills.

1. How can I better utilize and prepare for office hours?

2. I have read some advice that suggests you attend office hours to build relationships with professors. I know some graduated students in my honours cohort that get coffee with a professor yearly, how do I build such relationships? I try to do my best in class, but I wouldn’t say I have any lasting relationships with professors where I can comfortably ask for a Letter of Recommendation for grad school.

3. Is it unwelcome/ too personal to ask for graduate school advice or their journey. How can I respectfully broach these topics?

4. How can I sharpen my reasoning skills? What are some routines you have implemented in your life that have helped you excel in your discipline? E.g. a professor once mentioned the first thing they do in the morning is read.

It is worth zero according to the syllabus. By turning it in, it shows you are learning and putting in effort. But it also creates work because there is the implication you want someone to read it and it also might give the impression you are fishing for partial credit. Is it better to ask to turn it in for a zero or to move on?

For starters, this is an advertising/pr class, and I'm from Texas. It's online, and I was really bad at navigating it. This professor provided make-up work that SAVED my grade (failing to an A). Is it weird to send a thank you card, and where would be the best place to mail it to?

I plan on going to graduate school, and from what I've seen the incoming administration has some concerning attitudes on education. I was wondering if you guys had any insight, as the people with probably the most knowledge on the system of higher education, into what potential effects it could experience in the coming years. Or perhaps I've been reading too much news and I'm worried over nothing!!

The tests are normally 300 points, 3 essay questions, and about 25-40 MC. This professor is so harsh in grading the essay questions. Each are worth about 30 points. For the first essay question, he asked to explain opposing arguments. In my mind, to explain opposing arguments, you should include what the arguments are opposed to, so I did. Twenty points off for having extra information. The other essay was three questions, I got the second one wrong he wrote a note on the side (these ARE answers but it’s wrong)?? Didn’t get any points. I guess I’m just struggling to understand why putting extra (correct) information was punished so heavily. I made an A though, so I can’t really complain. But I studied so hard to get the essays right and it’s really discouraging to get points off like that. What if all the other professors were grading too leniently and led me to believe I am a better student that I actually am? I’m totally freaking out for no reason, but does this professor actually grade harshly or have I just been babied?

Hello 👋

It’s my last class with my professor. Grades aren’t final yet as some kids are doing their final presentations today.

I would like to send him an email just thanking him for being a really good professor.

I think I should wait until all grades get in before I send it, but I wasn’t sure because I don’t know when exactly they’ll be put in. Which is fine, I just don’t know which professors prefer

Hi ! I have fallen ill and messaged my professor to let him know I would be missing class. He informed me that since I missed 3 classes already (long class only once a week) that I would lose a letter grade if I missed class this evening. I’m genuinely so so frustrated about this. I’ve never missed for an illegitimate reason. Car trouble & just being sick the other times (I work with children and unfortunately get sick a few times between October and February). The thing is I have a 100% in the class. There is no extra credit offered so I quite literally have the highest grade I could have. I have aced every assignment and the midterm. I feel like I have showed I’m more than capable of succeeding and my grade is now being threatened due to this policy.

I’m annoyed and upset, however, I am not a professor and I’m sure there is a reason. I was hoping someone could provide some insight about why attendance is required as part of a grade.

I have a professor who I really enjoy and their class always makes my day. I've been getting to know them a bit better. What are some small ways I can show my appreciation?

I'm an international applying to US for PhD upcoming fall, just curious to people who've been through 2016, is there anything detrimental to STEM people?

....especially for those who have issues with executive function deficits, like ADHD (although compensatory measures exist atleast for that source of ef dysfunction)? Or is the decision of having back to back course scheduling not relevant in the big picture of having a good semester?

*Note: Yeah there are more factors to consider like gas and scheduling other obligations, but I'd like to know if this specific factor is worth taking the time to think about before enrolling next semester.

Additional context:My situation is one possible schedule where I have a stats course (4 units) and a research methods course (5 units) that are back to back in the afternoon twice a week. 12-1:50 then 2 to 3:50 for methods

Thank you in advance.

Edit:I'm guessing that just like using brain scans to diagnose an individual is unfeasible, trying to parse out a straight forward answer for my question at the individual level is not viable lol....

There are 5 or 6 people in one of my engineering classes that loudly talk through the entire lecture. I try to sit as far away from them as possible but so does the rest of the class. I have a class before this one so I can't get there early enough to sit in the front. The proffesor has an accent, combined with the loud talking I can't intake any information the entire lecture. This is a 300 level class, I didn't expect to have to deal with this! I've talked to other people in the class about this so I know I'm not being sensitive. What would you recommend?

Hello, I am a Studnet who committed academic misconduct by cheating on an exam. I went through the process, and my ruling was to receive a 0 on that exam and do some academic integrity courses. I admitted to my actions right away, apologized and acceped the ruling when it happened, all through email.

It's now half a year later, and I still can't look my Dean in the eye when I see them around because of extracurriculars. I am very ashamed and very regretful and I have been thinking of apologizing to the professor and Dean involved in person for a long time now. Would it be apropriate to book a meeting to apologize in person? Is it appropriate to bring flowers too?

It just feels wrong and shameless to move on like nothing happened. I have been working hard to grow and do better in the rest of my degree. I just feel like I haven't made amends and it's killing me. I am so so ashamed and so sorry. I know I received my ruling, but sometimes I feel like I deserved a worse punishment. Please send any and all advice. Would you want to receive an email requesting a meeting to apologize in person from a past student?

Thank you

Hello everyone. I have a question that I was hoping someone could assist me with.

Let’s say that hypothetically speaking, I have a friend who has an offer to teach AI/ML courses as part of a CS department at a reasonably prestigious University based in the US.

I was curious what the usual steps are to have a class syllabus reviewed and/or approved. From what I gather, I imagine there are all sort of Department Head / Dean / Department Chair / Program Head, etc... steps not to mention Committees to deal with before a class with some customization / individuality may be approved.

Does anyone have any tips / tricks to share on optimizing this process? I’ll have assistance from my peers plus reviewing existing ones, access to LMS/Canvas, etc. Just wondering if anyone has advice.

Thanks in advance!

I'm a freshman taking a class with a professor I really admire. But I also have a deeper interest in their subject (might even major in it). Within their field, they're an expert on a certain concentration that I'm also interested in, and they wrote a book about it. They're aware of my interest in the concentration-I've even gone to an extra credit event relating to it, wrote an optional essay about it, etc.

I'm in the process of reading their book, and then today I saw their book cited in yet another book about the subject. So I kind of want to go to their office hour and mention this, but does it feel weird/stalker-ish/ass-kissy?

So I got my grades back today for my Masters in Literary Studies. Despite maintaining an average of above 70 (a distinction) in all of my modules, my dissertation was marked at a 69 (one mark shy of a distinction). This means I am prevented from graduating with a distinction overall. Now my transcript is a 2:1 BA and Pass with Commendation MA.

Here is where I am seeking genuine honesty about my future. I really want to do a PhD and become a lecturer. I have a real passion for academia and know in my heart it is my dream future. Is there any hope for me to actually achieve this or should I just grieve my dream and start job hunting outside of academia? Did anyone else maybe succeed after a similar situation? Thanks in advance!

I’m in the middle of my third semester at a four year. I jumped straight into my computer science courses last semester because I graduated high school with my associate's degree. I had the same professor twice last year; she was really good. Her classes were the last time I felt like I understood anything. I went to office hours and tutoring for her classes. I want to ask her if it’s normal to feel like I’m struggling this much two classes in and if it gets better. I feel like I don’t know anything or haven’t learned anything since. I was thinking about changing my major but can’t find anything else, and I have to register for classes tomorrow. I won’t be able to afford to change my major after this semester. Should I do it? Do I show up to her office hours or email first? If I should email, what should I say? Thanks in advance.

I was being interviewed by a professor for a potential opening in one of his programs. The videocall was being recorded.

I was in the middle of an answer when my hungover (and still slightly drunk) roommate leans over to me and asks me who I'm talking to. I push her out of the frame, mute myself, yell at her, and apologised to the professor. My roommate was topless at that time. All this happened within less than 2 seconds.

While I apologised to the professor, he said nothing and told me to move on with my answer. I continued with the interview and there was no more disturbance.

I later watched over the recording and saw that the professor had definitely seen my roommate and I was wrong to hope for him somehow missing it.

I got the position in the program, so I figure it cannot be that bad.

What fo I say/do/understand about this scenario?