Cupcake Posted January 26, 2008 Posted January 26, 2008 (edited) How do you defend yourself when someone tries to break your self confidence? I'm taking a college course in Sociology which I need in order to graduate. I enrolled in the course two years ago, but I dropped it because of conflicts with the instructor. Back then, the intructor was on a power trip and seemed to hate me. I have excellent grades. My lowest grade was a B in Pre-calculus. So I'm not stupid. But in that sociology class, every question I answered during class was wrong. And someone else would answer the same thing I said, and the instructor would say it's right. That instructor gave me an F on the first exam. I was floored. Right now, a different Sociology instructor is doing the exact same thing. I can't drop the course this time because it will prolong my graduation. I'm wondering if there is something I am doing wrong. I bought the text book last semester and read the whole thing before the class began. I have notes and I should be ahead of schedule. My public speaking skills are great. I'm not nervous. How is it possible for me to NOT know answers to the basic questions the instructor ask during class? I feel she is trying to lower my self-esteem deliberately. How can I prevent her from doing that and still get a fair grade in her class? Edited January 26, 2008 by Cupcake
amaysngrace Posted January 26, 2008 Posted January 26, 2008 I think it's tough when someone tries to deliberately break you. I get that sometimes and I know it really does stink to be targeted like that. For me the thing that works best is realizing that the person has a problem, a weakness, and they sense that you possess the strength that they don't have. Which is why they try to knock you down. Misery loves company.
norajane Posted January 26, 2008 Posted January 26, 2008 Get her on your side. Go to her office hours and tell her you are disappointed in your performance in her class, and ask her for her perspective on what might be the issue that's holding you back from understanding the concepts, and what you might be able to do to improve. Regardless of whether you think she's full of sh*t or not, asking for her help will make her feel good about herself, will give her the impression that you value her skills and experience, and show her that you really do want to learn and understand the concepts. That may defuse whatever issue she might have with you...if she has an issue. That she is the second Sociology teacher that you're having problems with indicates there may actually be something you aren't grasping.
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