Crushes happen! They’re as inevitable as the rising sun. And there’s a good reason why. Scientifically speaking, crushes stimulate the brain to release mood-boosting chemicals, much like love does.
These chemicals — dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin — make you feel alive and excited. Your heart races, you have boundless energy and your brain enjoys every minute of it. But these feelings signify attraction, not necessarily love, and getting confused between the two could get you in hot water, especially if they’re directed at your prof. We can help you sort it out.
Evaluate Your True Feelings
Teachers are an obvious choice for our brains to crush on because we spend so much time with them. What’s more, we look up to teachers and admire what we see in them. However, we rarely get to know them on a deep and personal level (though we may convince ourselves otherwise), which is why it’s so important to evaluate your feelings before doing something you’ll regret.
Most of us have experienced at least one crush, so you probably already have an idea of what it feels like to have one. You might get nervous or distracted around the person, and you may even feel a connection — but most crushes are superficial and wane over time.
Remember to Respect Boundaries
The professor-student relationship is a professional one. Therefore, it’s important for you to respect boundaries. Acting on a crush can make your and your professor’s life quite awkward. You may also inadvertently jeopardize their career. All in all, it’s a good idea to keep your feelings on the down-low and get through the semester as best as you can. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance and insight from your professor, but look to your peers to find deeper connections.
Consider Changing Professors
Having a crush on your college professor may be completely normal, but it can get in the way of your studies. If you notice you’re struggling to pay attention during class or your grades are falling, you may want to consider switching classes. If you can’t do that, put distance between you and your professor. Sit in the back of the class. Keep your head down, do your work and leave. It may not be ideal but you have to do whatever it takes to give the crush space to peter out and to help you muddle through just enough to finish the class.
Crushing on your teacher can make the semester both exhilarating and excruciating. The key to getting through it all is to remember why you’re in school in the first place: to get a degree. If you keep your eyes on the prize, you can keep a clear head even when your brain is hot for teacher.
