Demanding students can be difficult to interact with because they can be intrusive and persistent. Demanding traits can be associated with anxiety, agitated depression and/or personality disorders, but also occur in the general population. Some features associated with demanding students are a sense of entitlement; an inability to empathize; a need to control; difficulty dealing with ambiguity; a strong drive for perfection; difficulty respecting structure, limits, and rules; persistence after hearing “no”; dependence on others to take care of them; and a fear of dealing with the realities of life. These students may demand a lot of time and attention.
When dealing with a demanding student:
DO
- When possible, talk to the student in a place where you feel safe and comfortable.
- Remain calm and in control of the situation.
- Set clear limits and hold to them.
- Directly and clearly explain to the student the behaviors which are acceptable and unacceptable.
- Be clear about the time you will give the student.
- Request that he or she treat you with respect.
- Contain disruptive behavior that disturbs the class, study group, etc.
- Be aware of manipulative behavior.
- Refer the student to resources that can address his/her needs.
- Contact Student Conduct Services (487-2212) for assistance if you are feeling harassed and intimidated and/or the student’s behavior is disruptive.
- Contact the Affirmative Programs Office (487-3310) for assistance if you are feeling harassed by the student and the harassment has a sexual or gender-related aspect to it.
DON’T
- Argue with the student.
- Accommodate inappropriate requests.
- Ignore the problem and the impact that it has on you and other students, staff or faculty.
- Adjust your schedule to accommodate the student.
- Feel obligated to take care of him/her.
- Feel guilty about not doing more.
- Allow the student to intimidate you.
References
This page was adapted with permission from material developed by the University of California, Santa Barbara.