tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post7038141255871693770..comments2023-10-15T04:23:50.187-04:00Comments on College Misery: A Big Thirsty From Leona From Loveland.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-8854948993563076782013-03-16T22:00:41.338-04:002013-03-16T22:00:41.338-04:00That's being polite, where I teach. If, on the...That's being polite, where I teach. If, on the other hand, you asked the students not to. . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-31158460580044904252013-03-15T06:38:39.720-04:002013-03-15T06:38:39.720-04:00I used to get approached by security in the staff ...I used to get approached by security in the staff parking lot all the time when I first started teaching as an adjunct. They always doubted me and wanted to see my i.d. Sadly, that does not happen anymore. I really do miss it. Enjoy.Bellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15686242633678466958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-3966400015535225512013-03-14T22:25:24.483-04:002013-03-14T22:25:24.483-04:00I have a theory. If you look professional, all-bus...I have a theory. If you look professional, all-business, young, fit, energetic; and on top of that clearly master the material with an ease they know is unreachable--that's bad. They experience it as "I will never be so perfect"; it makes them feel <i> inadequate </i> (sometimes justifiably). It inspires not admiration, but jealousy. <br /><br />In this theory, many snowflakes reactPeter Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754472537710161295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-56104257254762414372013-03-14T19:59:30.019-04:002013-03-14T19:59:30.019-04:00Wow, FP, you took the words right out of my mouth,...Wow, FP, you took the words right out of my mouth, and said first (which I wouldn't have had the bravery to bring up myself) about the daddy-issue students who suddenly feel more compelled to tell me their problems, as apparently I'm now a much more approachable fellow akin to a father figure, whereas before I was one scary dude, all thanks to this new mass of hair covering my face for Prof Poopieheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00997969128824319914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-12171747604340763832013-03-14T18:05:49.906-04:002013-03-14T18:05:49.906-04:00I had the same problem once, but (somewhat sadly) ...I had the same problem once, but (somewhat sadly) aging took care of that in time. I think the key is to acquire 1) the look and 2) the attitude. For the look: dress more formally but NOT like a senior dressing for a job interview. So no cookie-cutter boring dark-colour suits. Maybe a patterned jacket with a dark skirt and plain top or even better, a solid dark jacket over nice dresses. Nice Dream-Killerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10899352252923649504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-42203898863759350312013-03-14T17:55:05.459-04:002013-03-14T17:55:05.459-04:00I would feel really uncomfortable teaching in form...I would feel really uncomfortable teaching in formal wear all the time, so I stick to business casual at best. Interestingly, only people older than I am ever mistake me for a student--the students themselves seem to have no trouble figuring out who's boss. <br /><br />Perhaps this is because I've found that not keeping up with the bleeding edge of fashion is enough to set me apart from Edna Expathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11438002061912782295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-66187772847076349732013-03-14T17:44:40.753-04:002013-03-14T17:44:40.753-04:00Same issue here, compounded by being less than ver...Same issue here, compounded by being less than vertically endowed. A student called me ma'am the other day. I'm going to flunk his ass. Annie Oakleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02396950355961607377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-29466466439775371432013-03-14T16:44:39.632-04:002013-03-14T16:44:39.632-04:00Yeah, I have the same deal, but I embrace it becau...Yeah, I have the same deal, but I embrace it because like Contingent Cassandra said, I'd rather be viewed as youthful, than be viewed as grandmotherly. I don't 'dress older' because I don't see the point in changing who I am if it doesn't impact my teaching and relationship with students. In fact, if I WERE to dress differently, or take on a different persona, I think thatThe Contemplative Cynichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02088570661592922436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-13142839139094109212013-03-14T16:37:36.566-04:002013-03-14T16:37:36.566-04:00I'm not sure what that answer is, but when peo...I'm not sure what that answer is, but when people start calling you "ma'am," you've arrived (and will now face a whole new set of problems, mostly deriving from students confusing you with some sort of idealized, endlessly nurturing mommy figure). Contingent Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08161652083031423415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-82029266095557303322013-03-14T16:04:14.526-04:002013-03-14T16:04:14.526-04:00I get fewer comments about how young I look now th...I get fewer comments about how young I look now that I've got a shock of silver at my hairline, but it still happens sometimes. This might be due to the fact that I often teach in tee-shirt and jeans. This occasionally causes students unfamiliar with my classes to feel overly comfortable on the first day or so, but that wears off quickly once we get into the material. Then they're just Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-47100926191509744102013-03-14T13:43:07.928-04:002013-03-14T13:43:07.928-04:00I had the same problem, which I kind of solved by ...I had the same problem, which I kind of solved by growing a beard... Another glass ceiling -- you need a beard to receive respect?<br />Anyways, as you said, time will take care of it.<br />@introvert.prof -- Sadly, they will not go away with time. It just gets worse. Girls with daddy issues looking for a father figure... the older you look the more confused they get.French Professeurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08062264385792788503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-52669296988345662122013-03-14T12:34:08.488-04:002013-03-14T12:34:08.488-04:00It seems to me that as long as you feel it isn'...It seems to me that as long as you feel it isn't impacting your abilites to instruct your students, or your standing within the department, then it isn't that big of a deal. Looking young isn't a crime, and it sounds like your dressing perfectly appropriatly. TK-421https://www.blogger.com/profile/04816780722607630224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-87398175802877221832013-03-14T10:11:03.887-04:002013-03-14T10:11:03.887-04:00I try to go with the flow and enjoy it without bei...I try to go with the flow and enjoy it without being too unprofessional. I just carry a big stick to keep off the flocks of nubile co-eds who flock to my organic chemistry class.introvert.profhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09042783611716432247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-1439946885827089412013-03-14T09:04:37.026-04:002013-03-14T09:04:37.026-04:00I have the same problem. I wear at the very least...I have the same problem. I wear at the very least suit jackets and blouses that look businessy....New England Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01035798065496710431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883226237165701608.post-6099888740133302302013-03-14T07:33:29.405-04:002013-03-14T07:33:29.405-04:00I had this problem for my first 5 or six years, bu...I had this problem for my first 5 or six years, but it was easier to fix by wearing a tie and suitcoat (since I am male!).<br /><br />Women have it harder in many ways--many students won't respect you because of your gender no matter what you wear.<br /><br />However frustrating it is, I say accept it and enjoy it. When they stop commenting on how young you look, you will miss it.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com