I do understand that professors do not know everything there is to know about a given field. However, I don't see the harm in just asking questions. As long as the questions are asked in a polite and respectful answer, I think a professor should give the best answer they can. If they cannot answer the question, they can tell the student so, and then direct the student to where they can find the answer if possible. I also have professors who I can tell get incredible annoyed at me for asking a lot of questions. I think students who are truly interested in learning, and who want to be in school for the intrinsic value of the education, should be encouraged to ask questions and learn. It seems like some of my professors go to great lengths to make their material interesting and to engage us students, and yet they seem to be almost repulsed by certain kinds of questions about the material. Sometimes they tell me not to worry about a given topic because "it won't be on the exam", but I really just want the answer to satisfy my curiosity. I have wasted so much time worrying about the fact that my professors have a bad impression of me, because I ask too many or annoying questions. I also have a special interest in Psychology. I couldn't imagine not enjoying what I was learning, and keeping at it solely for the purpose of getting into graduate school, where I would presumably continue not enjoying what I was learning That seems to be how a lot of the other students at my school, and my sister who is also in university, feel about school. I don't think I would have the motivation to keep studying if that was how I felt......
Anyways, sorry for the rant....I just wanted to say that I know how you feel OP!
22 Feb 2010, 10:41 pm
