Teachers actually care

Today, I sat in a class of 30 graduate students, and all of them are presently completing their Doctoral degrees to be college professors. These are the teachers that new college students will have in the very near future. And what transpired in this class today was both unexpected and under-appreciated by a vast majority of students.

Today, we spoke about the topics of academic advising, counseling, alcohol, and sexual harassment of students. It was one of the most emotional classes I'd ever taken part in. Nearly everyone was reduced to tears at one student's story of how he helped one of his students seek and find help after being date raped. Almost everyone was giving their own personal recounts about what they have done and what teachers should do to help their students in areas OUTSIDE of academics, areas where students need just as much support as they do for their studies. The students in my class, these future teachers of yours, they really care. They told stories of going above and beyond the call of duty to help students through tough times, personally and academically. They shared their own struggles and how they hope to use their experiences to help students do more than just get by for those four most important years of their lives.

Many freshmen, especially those who are about to start classes at a huge university like Florida State or Indiana University, express fears and concerns about being "just a number" or one out of hundreds or even thousands in a big lecture hall. The truth is, though, that even in a class of 3000 students, you're never just a number. For the majority of teachers, you are the most important part of their job. You are never just a number. If you need anything, they will help you in any capacity they can. Even in a school of 40,000 students, teachers will notice you. Even in a class of 500 students, teachers will recognize you from the rest, especially if you make it a point to introduce yourself. Get to know your professors, your advisors, even your deans. They care about you, and they want to know you.