So I just started college and I'm not quite sure how to handle this situation. I'm taking a Spanish class where attendance is required and 3 absences drops you an entire letter grade. The class is supposed to go from 1:00 to 1:50, but every single class, my professor decides to teach us ENTIRE lessons (usually ones he's previously taught on other days) with less than 5 minutes left of the scheduled class. I have to catch a bus that arrives about a quarter mile away at 1:55, and seeing that he keeps us there until 1:53 or later, I usually have to run to catch it. And I don't mean like a casual jog, I'm literally having an asthma attack I run so hard. I would take the later bus, but then I'd be late for work, which I have to clock into at 2:15, which doesn't leave a whole lot of time for bus rides, talking, food, etc. Is it appropriate for me to leave at 1:50 when the class is supposed to be over or am I supposed to stay until he's completely finished with his redundant lecture?

NOTE I took 2 years of Spanish in High School, so it's mainly review anyway for me and I'm doing all of my work on time.

I had a professor who would run like 10 minutes over, thankfully I didn't have anything that I needed to get to quickly afterwards. I think it's kind of rude. If the students are doing their job to get there on time, the professor should be kind enough to let you out on time, or at least not talk about anything important after the class is supposed to end.

I would let him know that you have to hurry to the bus right after class and that you don't mean to be rude, but will have to leave right at 1:50. If he's a decent human being he should understand, if not hopefully he's not the type of person to grade badly based on personal issues.

I feel the exact same way. All my other professors go out of their way to actually let us out early so that we're not scrambling to get out of class by the end. I'm going to try talking to him about the problem, he didn't mark anything about it on his attendance sheet yesterday so hopefully he's okay with it.

I agree with Roscharch. I would tell him about your schedule and have him work something out. But since you already know your stuff and you have the grades to prove it, I'm pretty sure he'll let you out early. I mean unless he takes attendance at the end of class I see no problem with this because I had to do this last semester too. Hell, you might even do the entire class a favour haha.

But either way you're now officially a college student, normally depending on how anal professors could be, they couldn't give two shits whether or not you attend class or not seeing how you have paid for the class and they get paid on a set salary anyways. Good luck!

Having just graduated, I can concur with both of those responses. Talk to the professor. Get there a few minutes early and explain/apologize for the situation. I was co-teaching classes where theater students had to leave or they would literally get no dinner. No problem. I adjusted. As long as they are warned and you sit by the door, you're not going to be a bother.

I have to disagree with Totodile's consumeristic point at the end. Depending on the school, the professor, and the students, most of us DO care about the time spent together. I come from a small college, where anything the professors did which would be considered "anal" was actually for our benefit. Now... if they continue to be anal after you try to be polite and negotiate, you have every right to go to a dean and explain. (I think some general dislike I started in one class ended up with a professor resigning a year later.... but that's whole different issue.)

I don't see why he wouldn't let you. I mean, class was SUPPOSED to end awhile ago, and if it ended then you're free to leave. But to be polite, I'd let him know beforehand your situation so it's not like you're just getting up and leaving (that can be seen as rude, what with the door shutting and the class getting disrupted).

All of my teachers actually end class early, because lectures don't take that long. They're pretty simple and most of it's in the textbook anyway.

If your teacher knew your schedule, I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all. Just make sure you talk to him about it. :)

Talk to him first. But.. I would walk out. Because they KNOW you have places to be (I.E. other classes or buses) if it happens every time. But I normally leave when he is 5min over, or raise my hand and tell him "its 1:52" like an ass lol. He might get angry if you leave at like 1:50 sharp.

Definitely talk to him and just explain that you really have to leave to catch the bus. He should be understanding about it. If he's not, which I highly doubt, you do have the right to talk to the Dean if you're being marked down for leaving when you have no choice and the class is supposed to be over.