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An amazing professor...
19/F
I'm in a really small university class (only 31 of us in my year of my program).
Lately I've had a really bad rough patch; I was helping one friend out of an abusive relationship, and another friend out of an accidental pregnancy, so that was stressing me out. Added on to this was the fact that I suffer from depression, I'm having serious financial issues, and I've been fighting a lot with my boyfriend (who I live with).
I've had one prof who has really been amazing. When I missed a lot of class, he e-mailed and even called, to make sure I was allright. He's copied out notes that I've missed for me, and he isn't holding my absence against me. He's been really concerned about me, and it's meant a lot to me.
I really want to do something nice for him, but I don't know what. He's in his fifties (I think) and he's a math professor.
The only problem is that I can't really spend much, so storebought gifts are pretty much out of the question.
Any ideas for what to do to thank a professor who goes far beyond his regular duties as an instructor?
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A well thought out, well written letter would mean the world to him. He'd keep it forever.
My mom is a teacher and she doesn't like when people give her gifts. A lot of the time she doesn't like the gifts themselves, doesn't know what to do with them, or feels like she doesn't deserve them if they're really extravagent. So, if you're thinking about getting him a gift, be careful.
As for the food, you don't know what he likes, you don't know about any allergies he may have, and talking from experience here, it can be really uncomfortable to get homemade food as a present when you're a teacher. My mom brought food home all the time from her students. We felt like we had to try it, since they had put so much time into making it, even if we didn't want it. A lot of the time it wasn't very good. My family are all a bit germaphobic too. Even if the student that made it was a nice, well off, clean kid, it was still uncomfortable. Everybody has different tastes and feeling like you have to eat someone else's food because it was a present isn't good. A lot of the time things just got thrown away. So, if you want to include some sort of snack, buy it from a store. That should take care of everything.
My advice to you is just to write the letter and maybe include some chocolate with it. Words of gratitude that he can hold onto forever will be the best present he ever got. Good luck! :)
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Here are some choices. Everything should be followed with some warm words if you know what I mean.
Some kind of game, like a baggamon, or a chess board. If you got money and you know he has space in his house a mini football game. Since he is a mathimatician he would aprociate some nice decoration for his house, like some antique abacas....you know? The worlds first computer?
Also some kind of big book about something he likes. Giving something ta comes out from something that you like is like an invitation to your world, like a CD with some music inside, or a compilation of songs, or some movies or a book that you like.
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I'd say make him food; cookies, tea cakes, anything. It'll really express your appreciation because he'll know how much work you put into it.
If you're in a stretch for time, something simple like flowers will do too.
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I like Abby's suggestion about the letter. My opinion is that in the long run... Objects don't matter. What matters is gratitude. So think about writing him a letter. Let him know that he's a great professor, and how much you appreciate all that he's done for you. Chances are your gratitude and admiration will mean more to him than anything you could buy in the store. This is a man that has dedicated his life to teaching and guiding young people. I'm sure he'd be very touched to find out that he made a difference in one of his student's lives.
If you want something to give him with the letter... Try baking something. I know most guys aren't a big fan of chocolate... But peanut butter seems to be a big hit. Just make sure he isn't allergic to peanuts first... Or diabetic.
If he has a sense of humor... You could try getting him something that's both corny and a bit on the sentimental side. Like for example... A trophy that says something like, "World's Best Professor." I don't know of anywhere that you can buy those... But I bet you could find something on the internet.
I still say that the letter is the best idea though. Best of luck. ;)
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Write him a letter, sincerely thanking him for everything he has done. He'll see how thankful and grateful you are. Sending flowers sounds like a good thing to do, but do you do that for a guy? Lol
Good luck!
-Abby
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I'm in college too and I know how tough it is to spend any kind of money. Maybe you can give him a nice card with a handwritten message about how much you appreciate it and how much he has helped you get through your rough patch. Another nice gesture would be to tell he boss or the department dean how he has gone above the call of duty for a professor. Let the dean know how great of a person he is as well as a teacher. Maybe that will turn into a raise for this great prof.
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