By Cherie Khoo (26S03B), Genelle Gan (25S03Q, Peer Helper)

Your resident Aunties and Uncles are back with our Ask Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset column, this time as a collaboration between Raffles Press and the Peer Helpers’ Programme (PHP)! Ever wanted to rant about that someone you just can’t stand? Overwhelmed with too many feelings? Submit your confessions to https://tinyurl.com/RIAAUU and we’ll give them our best shot. This column will be published at the end of every month.

Dear Troubled Troy,

We’ve all had teachers we like and others we don’t like as much. Honestly, it’s perfectly alright to prefer some teachers over others. After all, we’re only human, and the best way for one person to learn may be terrible for someone else. Perhaps the most pressing issue here is how you feel like you are not learning anything – teachers are there to help us learn, and if the way your teacher conducts lessons hinders you from learning effectively, this is a very valid concern.

Even though it may seem like you don’t have a way to improve the situation without affecting your relationship with the teacher (or getting a new teacher altogether), it is imperative that you take action, or risk compromising your learning even further.

1. Do some self-reflection!

Before feeling sorry for yourself and bemoaning your bad luck with teachers, remember that learning is a two-way exchange. Your teacher is new to teaching you, just as you are new to learning from your teacher. 

Ask yourself: did you have prejudices against this teacher before even stepping foot into their class? Have offhand comments from peers influenced your perspective of your teacher? When you step back and take it all in, it may be easier to identify specific aspects of this teacher’s teaching style that affect your learning – separate, of course, from their personality (which you cannot change).

Try to think of constructive feedback you can offer your teacher. For example, if you do not learn well when your teacher makes notes on online platforms, you could propose a feasible solution, which in this case could be asking the teacher to do chapter summaries on the whiteboard instead, so that you have a chance to condense your learning in a way that is effective for you, and possibly some of your classmates as well. 

2. Talk to your teacher

Most teachers genuinely enjoy teaching, and are more than happy to discuss how they can adjust their teaching styles.

To make the discussion an effective and pleasant one, you could compile some clear points of aspects of your teacher’s teaching style that you think are stopping you from learning effectively. 

If you feel uncomfortable meeting your teacher on your own, you could enlist the help of classmates that have similar concerns, so that your teacher understands that you are not the only one who will benefit from changes in their teaching style. This could even lead to a healthy class-wide discussion where everyone suggests helpful learning strategies — perhaps some students prefer mind maps, while others find step-by-step examples useful. Peer support extends beyond academics: showing empathy, validating your classmates’ struggles, and encouraging one another can make your shared learning experience far more meaningful.

Most importantly, delivery is key! Avoid adopting an accusatory tone, using imperatives like “must”, and keep in mind that your teacher still deserves your respect (do not, under any circumstances, tell your teacher what to do – it is ultimately up to them to decide whether or not to follow your recommendations). Polite and respectful delivery of constructive criticism, with an emphasis on your learning benefit, will make for a smooth discussion.

3. Explore other options

And finally, remember that in a class of twenty-odd students, it’s difficult for lessons to cater perfectly to everyone’s learning preferences. That’s where your own initiative comes in. While teachers play a crucial role, independent learning is equally important. You could reach out to classmates who grasp the material better and ask if they’d be willing to clarify certain concepts with you, form study groups, or even trade notes. Sometimes, a friend explaining things in a different way can make everything click. Learning doesn’t always have to happen in the classroom — your peers, or your own interpretation of the learning material can be great resources too.

Remember, you’re not alone — there are plenty of sources of support around you, from peers to teachers and even student support services. Don’t hesitate to reach out, speak up, and take small steps to improve your learning experience.

Sincerely, 

Aunt Agony and Uncle Upset

If you need anyone to talk to about any issues you might be facing, do drop by My Rest Space near Marymount gate and talk to one of our peer helpers! We’re open on Tuesday from 2.30 – 4.30 p.m, Wednesday 11.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m., Thursday 2.30 – 4.30 p.m. and Friday 1.30 – 4.30 p.m. If you would like to meet a peer helper on a regular basis, do email us a request at rafflesinstitutionphp@gmail.com or fill in our request form at our website https://rafflesinstitution5.wixsite.com/rafflespeerhelpers/peer-helping-request!