Help! I can't ask my professor questions

A reader writes:

"Is it rude to ask questions during a class about important details that you don't understand when a professor rushes through things and doesn't fully cover them? The other students don't speak up at all, even when they don't understand what she's covering either (some don't care, others hope the assignments will just "go away" if she doesn't discuss them). Recently this professor, who is head of the AA program I'm in, has reacted negatively to me on 2 occasions when I tried to clarify details regarding a course project and intern assignment.  

Unfortunately, I don't have a chance to speak to her after class as the student push and run up to her in a line (they're very competitive), and I have to leave to quickly get to daycare before it closes. I am unable to visit her during office hours which are during the time I'm at my job. I've tried emailing her, but I usually don't get an answer until after the course is done or the project is finished.

I don't want to cause any trouble with her, but it seems like she just flies through the schedule, doesn't give us assignment dates, gives us homework a day before it's due, and if she gives us 3 days notice when we have 8-10 assignments all due the same day (each take about 1-2 hours to complete).

I'm working very hard on this health care degree - it's an AA (I am a good student with a 3.6 average), but get frustrated as I feel I have to teach myself. If I wasn't so far through this program, I would quit, as it's very difficult having this teacher for 80% of my classes. Any advice you could give me would be appreciated."

No, it is not rude to ask your professor questions and no reasonable professor would think so. However, it doesn't sound like your professor is reasonable.

That being said, check out these previous posts about how to deal with professors who hate you, both Part 1 and Part 2. Both of these posts have some good advice about dealing with difficult professors. 

You might also consider seeking out another professor in the same department to see if you can get some of your questions answered. It might also be useful if you can get tutoring. If your campus offers free or cheap tutoring, try to sign up for it. I wouldn't recommend paying for tutoring unless you absolutely can afford it and can't get it any other way.

However, because this professor is the head of your major department, I'm not sure there is any real way for you to resolve this without escalating it and reaching out to someone above the professor, like a Dean.

Regardless of what you do, please take care of yourself!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.