Should I talk to my college professor about her class going over the time limit?

Question

One of my professors told us the first day that she wants us to "get our money's worth" when it comes to being in her class and that she'd never let us out of class early. OK, I'm fine with that. After all, college tuition is pretty expensive! However, I think she thinks she's doing us a favor by making her class run up to 5 minutes late. This wouldn't really be a big problem for me if I didn't have another class to go to 15 minutes after hers is *supposed* to end which is all the way across campus. Should I speak to her about this issue? I definitely don't want to make her feel bad because she's new at my college and she's really nice, but I also don't want to be late to my following class. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Just write her an e-mail saying that due to your next class being so soon after her class that you may have to leave a little early in her class in order to make it.  It'll be okay.  Don't say anything about her running over on the time because it may be seen as you telling her how to do her job.

Answer 2

Be totally honest! She will appreciate it. Just tell her the truth and you will be on the safe side. Just ask to leave when the bell rings(if you have one)  so that you can get to your next class on time. She will understand and most likely you will give start to a general trend and other people will start leaving for the same reason. That is when, probably, she will start realizing that after 50 minutes her time is over. Good luck!

Answer 3

Hey there,

I'd say nothing. Although, most professors understand that students only have 10 mins to get to the next class, especially if it's a walking campus (long distances between buildings, etc) so they usually won't keep you longer.

In your case, I'd just not mention anything. Since my campus is pretty big and I have to walk to my next class - hey I'm not a track star - I might be 1-5 mins late to the following class (profs understand this).

Unless your next prof brings something up, I wouldn't worry about it. If your next prof brings it up, let her know that the first prof tends to keep you a bit longer, but you try to make it to her class ASAP.  

Answer 4

I would pull her to the side and speak with her.  If she is wanting you to get your money's worth then she shouldn't be making you late for your next class.  Just explain where your class is and you feel that being late to your next class will endanger your grades.  I'm sure she will understand, and since she is new she is learning along with everyone else.

Answer 5

First things first, classes are supposed to end at a certain time...end of story and class!  Second, if a professor keeps you OVER the time, you absolutely have the right to walk out if you wish.  

Usually, the class decides when we leave anyway because people start packing up.  It worked today in every class because it was Friday....lol.  They say...."ok...looks like you all are ready to leave...so we will continue next time."  

I would definitely say something to your professor.  You don't have to explain anything to her (you don't owe her any explanation), for the fact that classes start and end at a certain time and she is keeping you over.  You should only have to simply state that you have another class after hers and she is making you late.  If she doesn't understand that, talk to the department head or either just start walking out (and people will follow you and she will get the hint).  Then, if she says anything to you about walking out, restate that you have another class and that you have no other option if she is going to talk over.  

This really should be common sense to professors.  They know that you have other classes.  They know that sometimes the next class is across campus.  For some reason, I suspect that she isn't intentionally doing it.  She probably doesn't notice she is running over until she is already over.  If anything, raise your hand and say what time it is...that should make her think of what time class ends compared to what time it is...and she should stop.  

Just remember, professors are normal people like us....they aren't special and they can't break rules either.  So, it is easy to talk to them....they understand.

Answer 6

I have had some similar experiences and have found that honesty is the best policy. If I were you I would just explain how you don't mean to be rude or unappreciative but you have another class (explain the details about distance and all that) then just ask if it's ok if you leave on time. We are talking about college here. You in all actuality could just leave so teachers really appreciate when you just explain what you're intentions are.

Not the same thing exactly but I typically use a lap top to take notes during class. Well at the beginning of every semester prior to the first class I email all my professors and explain my intentions and ask their permission. Do I have to do that? Not technically, but I know they appreciate it.

Therefore I would just ask her if she would mind that on the days she runs late you just ducking out a little before she finishes but still at the time the class was intentionally scheduled to end.

Professors are supposed to end at a certain time. The administrations knows that students have other classes to attend. That is why they set end times so I doubt she'd complain....hint hint

Answer 7

Hahaha, this is a no-brainer...say nothing.

Answer 8

For the people that said you should tell her you need to leave early, don't listen. By leaving "early" for another class, you are basically saying that the next class is MORE important than hers. You're an adult. If she goes over, then quietly get up and leave to go to your next class. There is no need to mention you leaving early or anything about your next class. If she happens to say something about it, then you just explain that you love the class and unfortunately when you scheduled classes you only have 15 minutes to get across campus to Professor X's class. I would explain that you know it's rude to walk in late to class, so you need to leave when the class is scheduled to end because you have little wiggle room.

Honestly, by telling her you need to leave "early" (even if it is really on-time), you would be insulting her. I HATE when students tell me they are late because Professor X lets them out late or need to leave early for another professor (or something). All that tells me is that my class is LESS important than the "something" or "someone" else.

Edit:

For the poster below, don't raise your hand and say it's time to go. That's insulting and would p**s me off. Yes, we're human and make mistakes. We don't need some student being our time keeper. It's incredibly rude to be called out in front of the entire class and will get you nothing but the label as a "know-it-all". How would you feel if your mistakes were announced to the WHOLE class, especially one you were trying to have authority over?  You're not our "bosses" and you really have no say over when we do or do not end class. You are the boss of yourself and can make choices for yourself. We don't need you acting like our supervisor or something. Maybe other students don't mind her going over. Maybe her watch is different than the clock. I know that the 3 clocks I see on my way to teach are about 5 minutes different from each other. I have an alarm set on my cell phone, which is hooked up to a satellite. I tell the class that is what I go by and that is the official time in my class. It vibrates when I have 2 minutes and then when class ends (there's no need to have anything auditory because that just makes people pack up when I am trying to talk and get last minute things in, which is rude too). Have I gone over before? Of course, but do I really need to have this pointed out? No.  

Just walk out on time. Again, you're an adult. No one has you strapped to the chair. If you leave "on-time", she can't complain, just be sure to not leave early. If she asks you or mentions something about it, then PRIVATELY speak to her and explain your situation. Honestly, it's really not a big deal. We KNOW you have other classes, but don't make it seem like your other classes are any more important than our classes and NEVER act like you are our boss by "reminding" us of anything, like time.

Answer 9

I feel your pain. I just run around campus looking like an idiot.  

Answer 10

I absolutely agree with the person above who said you should let your professor know that you might need to leave class a little early sometimes.  Tell her your class is across campus and you need to leave 2 minutes early to make it there on time.  That way, it's about you and not about her being wrong.

If your first contact with this professor is criticizing her teaching style (even using the nicest possible language), you're not exactly ingratiating yourself to her.  Trust me, you don't want to p**s off the professor, lol.