S
salve_maria_1
Guest
I have a stupid question, just wanted somebody else’s opinion as to what I should do.
The bottom line is, I grew up in a home where my mother was abusive, and I have a fear of annoying/burdening people who are being nice to me, in case I’ll get on their nerves. I’m a college freshman and am taking a bunch of classes this semester, one being cell biology. I love the class, but the professor is difficult to follow sometimes, because he’ll talk too much about a topic but not give the main points clearly.
Now, there’s a graduate student TA in the class and he has been an enormous help- very easy to understand, with a talent for explaining complicated concepts and making them seem simple and understandable. He usually sits in the front and I do normally in all my classes as well (hard to be distracted by kids on Facebook in the front!), and during lecture he asks me and the other students next to him if we understand what the professor is talking about. If not, he explains it, mentions key parts to learn, etc.
He will help people after class and has office hours one day a week. He’s also partly responsible for the coursework. The professor also does the same. Unfortunately, I either am in class or am working during the office hours, and usually have to leave cell bio right away. I am often more confused after listening to the prof’s explanation so I’d rather not go to him (even though he’s very pleasant and tries to be helpful).
Is it appropriate to ask the TA if you could make an appointment with him to go over concepts? He obviously enjoys teaching but I hate the thought of burdening somebody with me when they are busy. I know I should probably just ask, but I wasn’t sure if that was considered reasonable, and I don’t want to look like an idiot and ask somebody at school.
I know this has nothing to do with Catholicism…but you’re all reasonable people!
Thanks for any help.
The bottom line is, I grew up in a home where my mother was abusive, and I have a fear of annoying/burdening people who are being nice to me, in case I’ll get on their nerves. I’m a college freshman and am taking a bunch of classes this semester, one being cell biology. I love the class, but the professor is difficult to follow sometimes, because he’ll talk too much about a topic but not give the main points clearly.
Now, there’s a graduate student TA in the class and he has been an enormous help- very easy to understand, with a talent for explaining complicated concepts and making them seem simple and understandable. He usually sits in the front and I do normally in all my classes as well (hard to be distracted by kids on Facebook in the front!), and during lecture he asks me and the other students next to him if we understand what the professor is talking about. If not, he explains it, mentions key parts to learn, etc.
He will help people after class and has office hours one day a week. He’s also partly responsible for the coursework. The professor also does the same. Unfortunately, I either am in class or am working during the office hours, and usually have to leave cell bio right away. I am often more confused after listening to the prof’s explanation so I’d rather not go to him (even though he’s very pleasant and tries to be helpful).
Is it appropriate to ask the TA if you could make an appointment with him to go over concepts? He obviously enjoys teaching but I hate the thought of burdening somebody with me when they are busy. I know I should probably just ask, but I wasn’t sure if that was considered reasonable, and I don’t want to look like an idiot and ask somebody at school.
I know this has nothing to do with Catholicism…but you’re all reasonable people!
Thanks for any help.
. Plus if you ask your TA for help, he/she will know you and you can develop a good relationship with him/her.