Today, I taught my first seminar as a teaching assistant. I prepared for hours and rehearsed and discussed it with the professor. Two students fell asleep, I said "shit" twice and I froze mid-sentence, then said, "Sorry guys, I have no idea what I'm saying." FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, at university, I worked up the courage to speak up in a lecture hall of 200 people. I raised my hand, made my point, and felt pretty good until the professor said, “That’s exactly what I said like five minutes ago.” Half the room turned to look at me like I'd just woken up from a nap mid-class. Which I had. FML
Today, I fell asleep in class. I'm the teacher. FML
Today, I presented the worst seminar presentation probably in the entire history of my graduate department. I kept stumbling over questions, and overall, making an ass out of myself. I probably should leave my masters program at how thoroughly I burned myself. FML
Today, as a teaching assistant, I somehow uploaded my personal notes instead of the lecture slides. My “notes” included reminders like “slow down, idiot”, “this makes no sense”, and “students will hate this part.” Several students emailed me saying they appreciated the honesty. I would've appreciated the ground opening and swallowing me whole. FML
Today, I had to give presentation at work, for which I'd extensively prepared. However, as soon as I started speaking, I had a sudden panic attack and forgot everything I'd rehearsed. I stumbled through the presentation, feeling the embarrassment steadily grow in front of my colleagues. I almost passed out. FML
Today, after I spent 3 days preparing for a presentation and practiced it at home. It was my turn in class, but my laptop wouldn’t connect to the projector. The teacher said, “Just explain without slides,” which erased my entire brain. I stared at my classmates in silence before blurting out, “The slides explain it better than I can.” FML
Today, I had to give a speech but I wasn't prepared. I decided to give it anyway. While giving the speech, I got so nervous I passed out. FML
Today, I had a presentation for my university class. The bus was 5 minutes late, and I ended up getting to class right on time. As I took a seat, my group was asked to present. I panicked and totally bombed my presentation. FML
Today, I purpose woke up early so that I could be prepared for a class taught by a professor who thinks I'm an idiot. This professor was the first to tell me that I'm 2 hours early and asked very slowly if I know how schedules worked. She seriously sounded concerned. FML
Today, I fell asleep in class. I'm the teacher; I've already given students detention for falling asleep in class this year. FML
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Top comments
theIceberg 9
don't worry man, none of us know what we're doing ever.
Tripartita 45
Throw in a quiz nobody is possibly prepared for, and it sounds like you just taught a class. Congrats, OP!
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Comments (23)
interesting33 37
Hopefully you can get some support and with practice you will be okay
hyperbole1729 5
I've started teaching college level 4 years ago and all I can tell you is: don't worry too much about it. You'll get better with a bit of practice and it sounds like you managed just fine despite a few things. Just keep being dedicated. Congrats on your first teaching experience!
ohkitty 21
don't feel bad about two students falling asleep, from my experience that's normal no matter who the lecturer is
kmrrpk 22
I fall asleep in class even if I really like my teacher, so don't take that to heart
Khaleesi_D 9
I did something similar op. I was in the teaching classes, and the observation I could do, the kids liked me just fine. THEN the teacher assigned us to do a lesson in front of our classmates. NO amount of practice could prepare me for that. I was awkward and bumbling and I couldn't look anyone in the eye, and it was just awful.
bgbwtp 13
I've been helping out in a college-level ASL class this term (getting back into it so I can terp and all), and the teacher has this habit of springing it on me that she wants me to teach. Five minutes of notice. No preparation. Now, I'm not actually a teacher. I just remind myself that I know more than any of the kids in the room. Even if I forget something, I'm still smarter in the subject than they are. Just try and remember that. You'll have nerves for a while, but just gloss over the bits you're unsure about and go back later. You're still smarter than your students. You've totally got this.
majesticous 29
Happens to all new teachers, I cried after teaching my first class.
welpwelpwelp 16
Don't worry op! You'll get the hang of it :D
jvanevery 19
welcome to teaching keep trying you'll put it together