Today I thought I would do a good deed for my community of GVSU students and rate my professors from this past semester. I logged into ratemyprofessors.com with the intention of talking up some of my professors and absolutely roasting others.

As I was reviewing each of my teachers, I realized that no matter how bad of an experience I thought I had, the prof always had at least one redeeming quality.

Here's why I think we should be more gracious to our professors on this site:

1. Usually, we're our own problem:

Reflecting on my classes today, I found that I preferred certain professors over others because of the subject and the grade I got in the class.

I think this would be best demonstrated by a bulleted list:

So, before badmouthing a prof to your friends or on the internet, reflect on how you feel about the subject, the content, and your grade. Most times these are the reasons we get annoyed with our professors.

2. Every Prof has a Redeeming Quality:

Here are my examples:

Prof 1:

• was rambly and hard to understand.

• the class was one big lecture.

• handwriting was awful (hard to take notes).

Redeeming Quality: I loved the subject and didn't mind putting in a little extra effort.

Prof 2:

• taught my least favorite subject.

• was awful at explaining concepts.

• gave out so many tests.

Redeeming Quality: was always willing to help or give extra credit opportunities.

I found this to be true about all of my professors. There wasn't one that I couldn't name a redeeming quality for.

3. Being Respectful is the most important thing:

I don't deny that there are students who have had awful experiences with their professors, but the internet is no place to vent. Vent to your mom or your dog!

No matter how opposite you are from a professor, they need to be treated with respect. They have more life experience and they are in a position of authority over you.

ratemyprofessors.com is a great site if your intention is to inform other students on whether or not you actually use the textbook or how heavy the homework load is. Though, this site should not be aimed at tearing apart a professor or rating "their hotness".

Please continue to use ratemyprofessor.com because it is a very useful tool. However, make sure that you're only posting what's helpful.