Sweater vests aren’t supposed to be attractive. Neither is your professor. So you can imagine my confusion when I found myself oogling over my teacher-who-shall-not-be-named the morning of my first class.
Maybe it’s the fact that the stereotypical professor is old, gray-haired, and someone I can picture surrounded with small grandchildren, myself included, that makes this thirty-something hunk of academic wisdom appealing to me. My first reaction to this attraction was panic. Could this be a symptom of some awful psychological disorder? But I soon realized that the girls around me were giggling and whispering, even snapping photos on their iPhones. So it’s not just me, I realized, this is a certifiably good-looking teacher.
My advice to all you girls out their experiencing anything similar—because I know I cannot be the only one—is to use this infatuation to your advantage. I do not mean you should have an illicit affair with your professor. Instead, hang on to his every word and try to understand why he finds this subject so fascinating. As you do your homework, think of the time and effort this spicy (off-limits) scholar put into each question, and reciprocate this passion in your answer.
However, as much as you adore your teacher, it is important to always maintain a professional attitude. If you are so brave as to attend his office hours, focus on his explanations rather than his cute hipster jacket. Remember your place and remind yourself that you are not Serena van der Woodsen. You are a serious student.
If you channel your teacher crush into educational motivation, it really isn’t so wrong anymore. It’s still not right, but at least you will be interested in the subject, focused in class, and acing your exams—all while keeping your morals. So go ahead, giggle to yourself when he emails you back about a problem with the link to the course information. You deserve it. But then clear your head and picture him in thirty years as your grandpa.
Yeah, that’s right. It’s time to do your homework.