Grand Rapids Business Daily

Do you take others' opinions of professors into account when signing up for classes?

Does it do any good? I never do, because the people whose opinions I trust have not taken my classes, and I don't trust the opinions of the people I know who have taken the courses; so far, we almost completely disagree on every professor we've had. Is it at all helpful to factor in outside opinions, from former students or sites like Rate My Professors, when signing up for a class, especially if you don't really know the students giving their opinions?

Public Comments

1. You can't factor in outside opinions when you don't trust the opinions of the people you know. Since you answered your own question, why are you asking? It sounds like you don't value other peep's opinions. So keep that in mind before you ask for it. Most people are kinda stupid. Keep that in mind, too.
2. No never. For one because i hear one person say owh they loved that professors class and then another person say they hated it. Plus, since i am going into nursing school i just have to take whatever science class i can get into!
3. Well, but if you disagree with everyone who's already taken the classes, then can't you take their opinions and just do the opposite? ;) Personally, I pay attention to recurring themes in recommendations: for instance, if everyone says a professor only teaches from the book and puts everyone to sleep in class, then I'll probably just buy the book and not bother with the class. But when there are differences of opinion, or it sounds like people just have a grudge, I go with what sounds interesting instead.
4. The only thing that I take into account when signing up for classes is how much work and what type of work will I have to do. Mainly because you really can't depend on other people opinion of people. You don't know what type of person they are and the type of relationship that you will have with them could be totally different for the other person. Which will give you different opinions about the professors. So don't take into consideration their opinions make your own.
5. It's a really good way to get really good professors.
6. Only if I know the person well.