
Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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So I went in to talk w/ one of my professors about an issue I was dealing with. I had missed a couple of his classes (his class is early morning) because I deal w/ insomnia and depression. And all of you know how hard it is to get out of bed sometimes. So I went in to tell him what was up, and why I missed class. He was a TOTAL ASSHOLE. He said stuff like "I don't care what your problem is you should have told me before you missed class, like the first day of class" and I was like "well I didn't know if it would affect class so I didn't want to tell you unless it did" Then he said "so you want me to treat you differently?" And I said "no that is why I didn't tell you before, I don't" So he won't accept a big assignment (which I did do by the way) because I wasn't there the day they handed it in. Then he said "Well you're asking to be treated differently because you want me to accept your assignment late" This went back and forth for a while, when I finally said "ok, I Don't want you change your policy, but I do think this could've been handled better" He said "whats the point in you saying that? is that relevant" "well no," i said "but for future reference, when a student comes to tell you a personal problem maybe show some compassion...." I was crying real hard at this time and had to leave to go to another class. Wow... he was a big jerk. He asked if it had affected other classes and I said yeah of course, and if I had told other professors and I said yeah, and he asked if they were understanding and acceptable, and I said "yeah, actualy they were." What a jerk. Now I have to drop the class because of that assignment, its a big part of our grade, and I don't know if I can graduate in May because of him. I've been here 3 years, and I can't graduate in May because I missed 2 classes in some jerks class? Wow, I am so not happy.
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Also maybe you could get a doctors note. If they refuse that they're liable to be sued for negligence and discirimination. trust me I did that to my college.
Yeh, he sonds like a jerk. I have never met a teacher like that.
First, is there an attendance policy? I know most classes I was in, had some place to where if you werent there, you had so much time to turn in an assignment, but there would be a deduction,,, something like that.
I have had a lot of school, and never had a teach like this. and I have missed classes on mid-term and final exam day.
Student Union work too. Before you drop the class, I would talk to your advisor first, see what can be done. If nothing, and the best thing is the drop the class, can you fit one more class in next semester? Or are you already taking enough for full time?
courtneygtb: is the following true?
#1. The professor had no prior knowledge of you having a disability?
#2. You missed two classes only or did you miss more than that?
#3. Your professor came across as being insensitive to your needs and did not respond to the fact that you were confiding that you were having personal problems and or a serious problem of some sort? (" TOTAL ASSHOLE " doesn't really explain or illustrate what he said or didn't say so how was his overall state of response towards you as person? (I mean did he seem completely indifferent; surprised; angry; annoyed by your being in his office~ what?)
#4. Did you look over the professor's syllabus re: grading and or other class policies for assignments? (Clue: it's pretty much mandatory that profs spell it out to avoid these sorts of situations~ I speak from experience.)
#5 This is important. What was your expectation in going to your professor to talk about your reason for not attending classes? (Another clue: if you wanted him to be sympathetic and he wasn't it's because that's not his job! His job is to teach a course and your job is to attend classes, get assignments in on time, and pass all the requirements. His job is to grade fairly based on your performance. If part of the grade is dependent upon being in the class~ and you did not speak to the prof until today~ then why after so many weeks into the semester is it his fault?
I know this probably makes you unhappy. I am not a mean spirited person~ quite the opposite I like to hope, but I just need to be a bit of the devils advocate and look at from the side of the instructor and try to help you see that if you are having a bad time of things...well, maybe some of the responsibility falls upon you to get yourself to the doctor's office for a note, etc.
The professor asked you if you wanted special treatment and you declined. I imagine you said this because you didn't wish to appear silly or childish or failing to take responsibility however: how would you have handled it had you been in his shoes?
I know some profs can be total dick-heads. I had my share at UCLA; at San Diego State University; and even one at UND, and I too battled depression w/o the benefit of medicine at the time.
You can get back on track with this~ as long as you are willing to get others to help you too. Maybe your advisor needs to get on board with this situation and you the two of you can have a meeting with the professor. Sounds like he needs a lesson or two on compassion, but like I said...how would he have known prior to the time you told him that you were having serious problems.
All the best and let us know how this goes for you.