This is Academia?

I've had two miserable teaching days this week. The students seem to have become surlier than ever, and seem to relish complaining more than participating in the class activities. There is very much a sense of apathy and resistance that I have not experienced in other institutions.

Yesterday I had to spend almost an hour hearning the students complain about a computer program we are using. They didn't like the fact that they couldn't find the assignments that I had indicated, and furthermore, they seemed to be angry at me. One student who had otherwise seemed to be in a good mood walked out as soon as I entered the class. I don't understand why he bothered to show up in the first place if he intended to do this.

In my other class I have students walking out in the middle of class. This seems extraordinarily rude, and I had to confront them as they were leaving. It seems I will have to read the rules of conduct to them the next time. Things in general seem to have taken an evil turn.

It all began so promisingly at this university. Now, things are worse than ever. It just goes to highlight than I need to consider my options once again. They may pay relatively well, but if the students are going to be rude and insolent, this will be small compensation. I feel as if I am on the front lines again, and I'm not happy about this.

The Polytechnic is not fulfilling the promise of higher education. If these students lack motivation and discipline, then I have to question how it is that they could have been granted entrance.

This may be the time-worn lament of all teachers and professors, but these experiences seem different as well. I'm beginning to dread returning to class, although I recall something that a fellow graduate student named Maribel had said almost a dozen years ago. To wit, that each class begins with a honeymoon of a few weeks and quickly degenerates until both sides, both students and professor, mutually loathe each other.

I hate to think, first of all, that this could be the case (it hasn't been for so many of the classes I have taught), and second, that it could have happened so quickly in these two instances. Are these isolated experiences? Is it me?

This is why people become alcoholics.