What to Do If Your Professor Hates You

What to Do If Your Professor Hates You Regardless of your intentions, you seem to have stumbled into a less-than-ideal situation: youre convinced your professor hates you. Whether its the way she reacts to your questions in class, the grades youre being given for your assignments and exams, or just an overall feeling, youre pretty certain there is some kind of issues going on. Now what? Take a Step Back ​Chances are, your professor doesnt actually  hate you.  Now, there may be some disagreement your professor may not like your attitude, may think you arent trying, may think youre being disruptive in class, or may simply think your opinions and beliefs are ill-informed but actually  hating  you is pretty serious. (Side note: If you do think there is something personal going on, like sexual harassment, definitely talk to your dean of students, academic dean, or any other ally on campus as soon as possible.) Its much more likely that theres some kind of miscommunication or personality clash going on. Try to reflect back on when things started to become tense between you and your professor. Was it gradual? Or was there a key moment when you felt things shift? Similarly, see if the way youre being treated is pretty normal (e.g., your professor is just a moody genius) or if youre feeling particularly singled out. Trying to look at the issue one step removed can be a smart way to gain perspective. Think About an Ideal Solution to the Problem Dont worry about consequence when first thinking through what your dream situation would be. Do you just want to drop the class? Have to interact with your professor less often? Change to another specific professor who, in contrast, seems to adore you? Or do you want to stick it out, stay in the class, and show the professor youre not who he thinks you are? Similarly, if your ideal solution is to get your professor fired, you might want to challenge yourself to see if the disdain goes both ways here. Think About a Realistic Solution to the Problem Alright, so regardless of the reason, youre pretty convinced your professor doesnt like you. So what can you do about it? Can you stick it out for another few weeks? Or are you concerned that, because your professor seemingly has it out for you, that you wont get the grade you earn (note: not necessarily deserve, but  earn)? Can you transfer to another section of the same class? Is it too late to transfer to a different course altogether? Do you need to just drop the class, or is getting an incomplete a better option? Can you think about some feedback your professor has given you and, consequently, can you try to approach the course in a different and more productive way? Make a Plan of Action with a Deadline If youre convinced that your professor hates you, that she has absolutely no reason for doing so, and that theres nothing you can do to change her opinion, its time for Plan B. Of your ideal and realistic solutions, which ones seem most feasible? What can you do to help yourself make the most of your situation? Look to your friends, your classmates, tutors, other professors, and anyone else who can help. If you cant change your professors opinion of you, you at least owe it to yourself to make sure you still get the most that you can out of your courses this semester.

How Early Presidential Candidates Begin Campaigning

How Early Presidential Candidates Begin Campaigning Presidential elections are held every four years, but campaigning for the most powerful position in the free world never really ends. Politicians who aspire to the White House begin building alliances, seeking endorsements and raising money years before they announce their intentions. The never-ending campaign is a modern phenomenon.  The  all-important role money now plays in influencing elections  has forced members of  Congress  and even  the president to begin tapping donors and holding fundraisers even before theyre sworn into office. Once upon a time not terribly long ago, federal politicians more or less kept their campaigning to election years. They reserved their energies in odd-numbered, non-election years for legislating and governing. No longer, writes The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative reporting organization in Washington, D.C. While much of the work of running for president happens  behind the scenes, there is a moment when every candidate must step forward in a public setting and make an official declaration that they are seeking the presidency. This is when the race for president begins in earnest. So when does that happen?   The Presidential Race Begins the Year Before the Election In the four most recent presidential races  in which there was no incumbent, the nominees  launched their campaigns an average of 531 days before the election took place. Thats about one year and seven months before the presidential election. That means presidential campaigns typically begin in the spring of the year before the presidential election. Presidential candidates select running mates much later in the campaign. Heres a look at how early the race for president has begun in modern history. 2016 Presidential Campaign The 2016 presidential election  was  held on Nov. 8, 2016.  There was no incumbent because President Barack Obama was finishing his second and final term.   The eventual Republican nominee and president,  reality-television star and billionaire real-estate developer Donald Trump, announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015  -   513 days or one year and nearly five months before the election. Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. senator who served as secretary of the Department of State under Obama, announced her presidential campaign on April 12, 2015  - 577 days or one year and seven months before the election. 2008 Presidential Campaign The 2008 presidential election was held on Nov. 4, 2008. There was no incumbent because President George W. Bush was serving his second and final term. Democrat Obama, the eventual victor,  announced he was seeking his partys nomination for the presidency on Feb. 10, 2007  -   633  days or one year, 8 months and 25 days  before the election. Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain announced his intentions to seek his partys presidential nomination on April 25 of 2007  -   559 days or one year, six months and 10 days  before the election. 2000 Presidential Campaign The 2000 presidential election was held on Nov. 7, 2000. There was no incumbent because President Bill Clinton was serving his second and final term. Republican George W. Bush, the eventual winner, announced he was seeking his partys presidential nomination on June 12, 1999  - 514 days or one  year, four months and 26 days before the election. Democrat Al Gore, the vice president, announced he was seeking the partys nomination for the presidency on June 16, 1999  -   501 days or one year, four months and 22 days before the election. 1988Presidential Campaign The 1988  presidential election was held on Nov. 8, 1988. There was no incumbent because President Ronald Reagan was serving his second and final term. Republican George H.W. Bush, who was vice president at the time, announced he was seeking the partys presidential nomination on Oct. 13, 1987  -   392 days or one year and 26 days before the election. Democrat Michael Dukakis announced he was seeking his partys presidential nomination on April 29, 1987  -   559 days or one year, six months and 10 days before the election.