The Demanding Student
Demanding students can be intrusive and persistent and may require much time and attention. Demanding traits can be associated with anxiety, depression, and/or personality problems.
Characteristics of the demanding student
- a sense of entitlement
- an inability to empathize
- a need for control
- difficulty in dealing with ambiguity
- perfectionism
- difficulty with structure and limits
- dependency
- fears about handling life
- Talk to the student in a place that is safe and comfortable.
- Remain calm and in control.
- Set clear limits and hold the student to the allotted time for the discussion.
- Emphasize behaviors that are and aren’t acceptable.
- Respond quickly and with clear limits to behavior that disrupts class, study sessions, or consultations.
- Be prepared for manipulative requests and behaviors.
- Call the Counseling Center Warmline (301) 314-7651 for help with identifying strategies for dealing with disruptive behaviors.
- Refer the student to the Counseling Center (301) 314-7651 for counseling and/or a referral for off-campus therapy.
- Arguing with the student.
- Giving in to inappropriate requests.
- Adjusting your schedule or policies to accommodate the student.
- Ignoring inappropriate behavior that has an impact on you or other students.
- Feeling obligated to take care of the student or feeling guilty for not doing more.
- Allowing the student to intimidate you.