Faculty advisor

[Pembleton]

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I was assigned a faculty advisor but the first time I met him he was overbearing and offensive, intentionally so, I think. I was supposed to meet him during orientation but he did not show up at the assigned time. When we did meet, it was after he called me to his office to discuss an exam I did poorly on (my score had been leaked to him by the administration).

He gave me some half-hearted advice on how to do better, but overall he was not the kind of welcoming person I'd go to for advice. Back in November, he emailed me to ask how I was doing. I didn't reply, which was a somewhat immature act on my part, but I was really upset with what the guy was saying to me. Now I would like to re-establish the relationship. I think I will need him further down the line.

How do you suggest I approach him?

 

[jonb12997]

IMO - I wouldn't, try to get a different advisor...

 

[njbmd]

I was assigned a faculty advisor but the first time I met him he was overbearing and offensive, intentionally so, I think. I was supposed to meet him during orientation but he did not show up at the assigned time. When we did meet, it was after he called me to his office to discuss an exam I did poorly on (my score had been leaked to him by the administration).

He gave me some half-hearted advice on how to do better, but overall he was not the kind of welcoming person I'd go to for advice. Back in November, he emailed me to ask how I was doing. I didn't reply, which was a somewhat immature act on my part, but I was really upset with what the guy was saying to me. Now I would like to re-establish the relationship. I think I will need him further down the line.

How do you suggest I approach him?

Hi there,
Find out who assigned this person to you and ask for someone else. It is obvious that this relationship is counter-productive for you and you need to have a strong faculty advisor. If you cannot get a change, then choose a faculty member with whom you have some rapport and ask them to be an unofficial faculty advisor for you. Be sure to explain your situation completely before you do this.

If you cannot go the unofficial route, then schedule a regular meeting with your official advisor (once a semester), take an agenda or list of questions that you have provided him with and let him advise you. Be professional and courteous (after all, you will encouter plenty of physicians in the future that you will not enjoy working with yet you have to for the sake of your patients).

Good luck!
njbmd 🙂

 

[Pembleton]

Hi there,
Find out who assigned this person to you and ask for someone else. It is obvious that this relationship is counter-productive for you and you need to have a strong faculty advisor. If you cannot get a change, then choose a faculty member with whom you have some rapport and ask them to be an unofficial faculty advisor for you. Be sure to explain your situation completely before you do this.

If you cannot go the unofficial route, then schedule a regular meeting with your official advisor (once a semester), take an agenda or list of questions that you have provided him with and let him advise you. Be professional and courteous (after all, you will encouter plenty of physicians in the future that you will not enjoy working with yet you have to for the sake of your patients).

Good luck!
njbmd 🙂

Thanks for the advice. After my exam next Monday, I'll send him a note. I think I should give this relationship one more shot.