Is it normal that i don't reveal my personal life to professors?

91% Normal
4 Comments

I never tell my professors about things in my personal life that tend to affect my work, unless they happen to come up in conversation or in a project or something. For example, only 2 of my 4 professors know that I have a child - Painting because I've painted her and Italian because we have to talk about family often. Sometimes I feel like I should talk to them about it because I get overwhelmed more easily since I became a parent. However, I don't want to seem like I'm using my daughter as an excuse for my procrastination.

Also, my friend recently went through a traumatic experience that affected me deeply. My dreams are more violent lately because of this. The first couple weeks after it happened I could barely concentrate on my work (had to write a paper about suffering) without looking up articles on the event, or just coming here to take my mind off of everything. I had to block my friend out of my mind to be able to finish my work, which I feel horrible about. I haven't called to check on her in about 2 weeks. I'm sure she's fine, but still I want to be a better friend to her right now.

I feel like maybe I should have told a couple professors about this, but I didn't. Again, I don't want to seem like I'm making excuses. I feel like they would think I was exaggerating my experience because this problem is essentially my friend's, not mine.

I don't know if these are excuses or explanations for my behavior/work ethic.

So my question is, is it normal to tell professors about things like this? How much do you tell your professors?

Voting Results
91% Normal
Based on 54 votes (49 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • Respectgays
    10 years ago

    Respect gays

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    • Elliemental
      10 years ago

      Stop posting the same comment over and over!

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  • NotStrangeBird
    10 years ago

    Why would feel that you need to share personal information with people you are paying to educate you?

    Why would you feel as if they would care?

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  • ProseAthlete
    10 years ago

    I think it's entirely normal to keep personal business personal when dealing with your professors. In fact, I don't even know you and I want to thank you for behaving with dignity in an academic/professional setting. It's become so rare. Your professors would undoubtedly thank you for being emotionally continent too, and your eventual boss(es) will probably consider you their most valued employee.

    I'm sorry for your friend. Just a suggestion, but even though you're sure she's fine, it wouldn't hurt to call her when you have a moment. It's never a wrong time to call someone and tell her you were thinking about her and wanted to see how she was doing.

    Again, kudos to you for separating your personal and professional lives. Yay for dignity and respecting others' privacy! Seriously, I wish there were more people in the world like you.

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