Never Pass Up a Moment to Punch Your Professor

Going into my fourth year at Coe, I've realized that SOMETHING always happens each week when you're in college- whether it be academic, social, or internal.

A few weeks ago, it was something situational. I'll spare you the details, and just let you know that I was not in the best of moods and was taking it out on my hardest class with my hardest professor. I came to class ticked off, didn't know what was going on, and honestly, I was behind. The material was tough, and having issues going on in my life combined with the stresses from Ramadan wasn't helping. I was mad at the school system as well-- at other Islamic schools across the country, students had half days for school with reduced workload to accomodate for Ramadan. It was made up by a more rigorous class schedule during the year, and about two weeks extra of class. I didn't care about the two weeks extra class at the time, so long as I could be cut some slack from the fatigue I was feeling. It's hard watching students around me keep pace and live normally while I'm a little behind because, well, I'm usually tired and can't focus. And I'm just practicing my religion here...

Well, needless to say, my professor noticed. One day, he tracked me down and asked what was up. I didn't really want to say, but ended up pouring out a bunch of frustrations. The pouring out was a help, though to be honest I felt a little weird afterwards because I hadn't wanted to tell him, per say. However, after a little thought, I realized that this was not the only time this professor had come through for me:

Last year I had just fished an organic chem test, and was walking to the Writing Center for my shift. I was frustrated. I felt that I had known the material like the back of my hand, having studied for two weeks prior; but the test was still challenging. It's very hard for me to hide ANY emotion I'm feeling, and as such, my professor, who was getting coffee from the Writing Center, noticed my frustration as I walked in.

He asked, yet again, what was up, and I went on a huge rant about trying my best and feeling like I got everything wrong.

"Man, that sucks," he said. "Makes you just want to punch something, doesn't it?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed.

He moved to the side and offered me his arm. "Here ya go. I know I'm gonna regret this."

I was confused, but then, suddenly, I just punched his arm. Hard. Amazing! I hate to say it, but the thought that I had just punched my professor and wasn't going to get in trouble for it made me happy. Had it been anyone else, I probably wouldn't have taken them up on it. But how often do you get to say, "I punched my professor" and actually mean it?

I'm not advocating violence in any way, mind you. However, I am grateful to the professor who was able to take a frustrating experience and make it into a laughable memory.

And, I ended up doing well on that particular test. :-)