My academic life became more satisfying the day I understood how and why professors hold varied expectations of students and how those expectations affect students. I have taken classes from five departments at Penn State and from four departments at another university in the United States.

Upon reflection, I have divided the professors into four categories: those holding high, low, adequate or no expectations of students. Here are some examples:

A professor with low expectations asked me after I had been here for one year whether I knew where the computer lab was.

A professor with no expectations asked me after I misunderstood an exam question to rethink my status as a student and if I might not be better off doing something else.

A professor with high expectations asked me at the beginning of the course to elaborate on material that would be covered later in the semester. I was expected to know the material in advance.

A professor with adequate expectations -- perhaps the best kind -- asked me to outline my previous knowledge on a particular topic so I could build on it.

For a long time, I wondered why professors hold those varied expectations. Both universities I have attended insist on equal opportunity regardless of race, sex and origin. So, I ruled out discrimination based on racism, sexism, and ethnocentrism, but I'm still looking for an explanation.

How do teachers' expectations affect students? I cannot speak for American students. I will speak for myself and for many international students I know. There is agreement on four implications:

First, most students are taught not to question the teacher. Teachers are authority figures, and their judgment is important and affects how students evaluate themselves. So, very high expectations frustrate students and low or no expectations might become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Second, regardless of the teachers' effectiveness in teaching, students are held accountable for their achievements. Responsibility falls on students to achieve their objectives. It is very difficult for students to call their parents at home asking for more money because they failed. So, a teacher with low, high, or no expectations leaves students hopeless; students do not know how to please that teacher and do not realize that it might not be entirely their mistake.

Third, even though most international students are among the top students in their countries, cultural practices in many countries do not encourage students to show off that knowledge. Thus, a professor who expects us to show high confidence in our present knowledge might end up concluding that we are not well-informed. For example, suppose a professor assigns readings for discussion. I would feel awkward discussing the main ideas if I understand 60 percent of the material, while an American classmate might show more confidence only understanding 25 percent.

Fourth, international students might not be fluent in English. Thus, being told by a professor that we lack clarity goes unquestioned. I once had a paper corrected simultaneously by two professors. One professor understood the progression of the argument and asked me to elaborate on some points. The other professor filled my paper with question marks and was unable to follow my argument. If I had only the second professor as a grader, I would have undoubtedly believed that the paper is a failure.

How do you deal with teachers' expectations? I began my column stating that my academic life became more satisfying when I understood how professors classified students. It was also the time I was able to take myself out of the picture. I tried to understand why misunderstandings arise. I examined professors' expectations in general and whether they would hold the same expectations regardless of my performance.

I believe that was a healthy process and I was able to overcome the professors' negative evaluations. I decided to go by my own schedule and take additional courses in needed areas whether they were requi

I also worked very hard to find professors who would help me build on my previous knowledge. I am very lucky to have found some of them.

Finally, I am enjoying adequate expectations regardless of my origin, race and sex.