How to get through the year with a teacher that dislikes you?

I need advice how to get through my Physics lessons.

For context, I have always struggled to pay attention and do work in their lesson due to mental health reasons but I always manage to complete all the work outside of lesson and get some of the best grade in the class in exams and am predicted an A*. Despite me doing well in the subject the teacher seems to have it out for me.

In the Year 12 mock exam I got an A which I was pretty happy with as this year has been a massive struggle. The teacher then comes up to me during class to tell me that I should have worked harder and got more marks to get an A*. This obviously made me feel terrible as they don't understand how hard I have been trying. They also don't make these comments to anyone else in the class, just me.

Even during parents evening the teacher was making comments about how I was going to fail at sixth form, university and then fail my job as my grades will start slipping as I lacked confidence, which funnily enough those comments are making me less confident. Even my parents agreed with me that they were being unnecessary harsh to me.

This has impacted my mental health and every time I sit in the lesson I feel a wave of depression take over me. What can I do to deal with this?

Reply 1

nwar

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous

I need advice how to get through my Physics lessons.
For context, I have always struggled to pay attention and do work in their lesson due to mental health reasons but I always manage to complete all the work outside of lesson and get some of the best grade in the class in exams and am predicted an A*. Despite me doing well in the subject the teacher seems to have it out for me.
In the Year 12 mock exam I got an A which I was pretty happy with as this year has been a massive struggle. The teacher then comes up to me during class to tell me that I should have worked harder and got more marks to get an A*. This obviously made me feel terrible as they don't understand how hard I have been trying. They also don't make these comments to anyone else in the class, just me.
Even during parents evening the teacher was making comments about how I was going to fail at sixth form, university and then fail my job as my grades will start slipping as I lacked confidence, which funnily enough those comments are making me less confident. Even my parents agreed with me that they were being unnecessary harsh to me.
This has impacted my mental health and every time I sit in the lesson I feel a wave of depression take over me. What can I do to deal with this?

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. Is there someone you can speak to at school about this outside of the physics department? E.g. your school's pastoral team (such as your head of year)? Maybe you could ask your parents to speak to the pastoral/support staff if they don't take you seriously?

Reply 2

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Hello there!

Be proud of yourself!

When dealing with a teacher who seems to have it out for you, it helps to focus on what you can control.

Keep track of your progress, - your grades, completed assignments, and any extra effort. This supports your confidence.

If the comments continue and affect your wellbeing, don’t hesitate to speak to someone you trust at school.
Explain calmly how it’s affecting you and ask for advice on how to manage the situation.

Outside of class, try to protect your mindset. Remind yourself regularly that your teacher’s opinion does not define your value or future.

Focus on learning and revision methods that work best for you. It might also help to mentally separate their behaviour from your goals.

You are doing amazingly under pressure, you are pushing through challenges and achieving high grades.
That takes strength, and you should feel proud of yourself.

Keep going, and know you are not alone!

I hope this helps!

Kind regards,
Reka - Coventry University Student Ambassador

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post

by nwar

Thanks for the reply. I don't really know if going to any of the pastoral team would get me anywhere as they are quite useless at my school. I also don't want the teacher to be even more annoyed at me by making the situation any bigger. Is there anything else you would recommend or should I just tough it out for another year or so?

Reply 4

nwar

Study Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous

I’m sorry to hear that : ( in that case, make friends in your class that you can stick with and try to make yourself invisible to your teacher? Also, briefly go over content before the lesson (before your teacher covers it in class) so that you’re not learning it for the first time in a stressful situation.

Reply 5

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by Anonymous

I need advice how to get through my Physics lessons.
For context, I have always struggled to pay attention and do work in their lesson due to mental health reasons but I always manage to complete all the work outside of lesson and get some of the best grade in the class in exams and am predicted an A*. Despite me doing well in the subject the teacher seems to have it out for me.
In the Year 12 mock exam I got an A which I was pretty happy with as this year has been a massive struggle. The teacher then comes up to me during class to tell me that I should have worked harder and got more marks to get an A*. This obviously made me feel terrible as they don't understand how hard I have been trying. They also don't make these comments to anyone else in the class, just me.
Even during parents evening the teacher was making comments about how I was going to fail at sixth form, university and then fail my job as my grades will start slipping as I lacked confidence, which funnily enough those comments are making me less confident. Even my parents agreed with me that they were being unnecessary harsh to me.
This has impacted my mental health and every time I sit in the lesson I feel a wave of depression take over me. What can I do to deal with this?

Speak to either your form tutor or your head of year. Tell them what is going on. Offer your parents as back up if need be (your parents saw what they were like at parents evening so can be a witness). If there is anyone else in the class who has witnessed these things then mention their names too (they can be asked as proof if need be).
Hopefully your form tutor/head of year can deal with it, either by talking to that teacher themselves, speaking to the head of that department, or escalating things in another way.