I was in a course with a bad teacher and was not doing well. I felt like his grading was unfair and his teaching methods were unclear. When I tried to talk to him about the issues I was having I didn't feel like he did anything to help.
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How can I help you?
assistant
Question
I chose a past experience so this will be hypothetical. But I'm looking for ideas for other resources for this course since my professor isn't helpful
user
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I see you are looking for some resources on a course that your professor isn't helping you with. What kind of questions do you have?
assistant
Restatement or Paraphrasing
What other ways can I get help to perform better? Who should I talk to?
user
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Are you looking for help to perform better in a certain subject in college?
assistant
Question
Yeah I am, it's differential equations. Are you able to see the situation description I wrote that has more details?
user
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I didn't see all the specifics but I remember taking that class. I went to my counselor and got a tutor which helped so much. It was offered for free at the college. Do you think you that is something you'd like to check out?
assistant
Self-disclosure
Yeah that could be useful. I'm not sure if my school offers that - the math department isn't very good. I'm an engineering major. I wonder if an engineering professor or student could help instead
user
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I had a student who was a genius (by my standards) helping me and he was so patient and understanding. This lessened the pressure and helped me move forward successfully in the class.
assistant
Self-disclosure
Yeah that would be helpful. I think I need to hear things a different way. The professor is very confusing, but when I have gotten help from other students the concepts don't seem hard. I just don't do well with his teaching style I guess, it's not that I'm not smart enough to understand. Does that make sense?
user
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Yes, I understand that sometimes being able to interpret things from someone who can communicate well can make the difference in understanding things.
assistant
Reflection of feelings
Yeah, it can be very stressful when I don't understand though. I'm normally a very good student so it's easy to be hard on myself. But it's good to hear that this is a pretty common experience
user
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Yes, I had a 100% average almost in high school and still struggled with the class. I kind of wish they videotaped the classes that I could rewind and go back to at the time of college. When I got to grad school, I ended up being able to audio record sessions and understood things so much better because I could reference the books while listening to a lecture. That made so much difference.
assistant
Self-disclosure
Yeah that sounds really nice. One of the hardest things was that the professor would never go back and explain what he did, so a problem might be 20 minutes long and if you got confused 3-4 minutes in you were just lost for the rest of it
user
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Lots of research also has shown that getting enough sleep is important for performance as well.
assistant
Information
That is actually one thing I'm pretty good at. I'm miserable when I'm tired, so I almost always get 7-8 hours a night.
user
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It sounds like you are making efforts to do your best to sleep and understand the materials. You can give yourself a pat on the back for all the great efforts!
assistant
Affirmation and Reassurance
Thanks! It's reassuring to know other people felt the same way with this course. Sometimes I felt like I was dumb or lazy because I didn't understand, but it sounds like it's just challenging and those feelings are normal
user
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Sometimes you have to give yourself more credit because you are doing a good job.
assistant
Affirmation and Reassurance
Yeah, that has always been hard for me, but I'll try to be deliberate about that
user
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Do you feel better about the situation?
assistant
Question
I do, thanks!
user
null
Great, I hope you keep encouraged and working hard toward your goals because you deserve the very best with your hard work.
assistant
Others
I am, thank you. I feel good, and I think we have completed the requirements of the study, so I am good with wrapping up our chat now if you are
user
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Great! Have a good day.
assistant
Others