What Professors Really Mean
Posted on January 3rd, 2006 No Comments »
Hmm…professors. The stereotype is the absent-minded, gray-haired curmudgeon who is not exactly student-friendly. This may be true for some, though there are many, many types. But a common problem exists among all: students often have trouble communication with them.
College is tough, and sometimes you need to laugh. With that in mind, I present to you a translation of professor-speak: what they really mean in those common phrases they use.
This list has been around for years, but it never gets old.
Some of my Favorites:
My office hours are by appointment only. (I like to get out of here early.)
The final will be comprehensive. (I'll expect you to recapitulate in two hours everything I couldn't fully cover myself in 15 weeks.)
Everyone will prepare in-class oral presentations. (This course is outside my specialty—I'll just bluff it and let YOU teach.)
Let's have class outdoors today! (I had beans for lunch.)
The full list is here.
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