I've sometimes wondered how I might fare teaching in a university setting. Bright students brimming over with enthusiasm. Not yet jaded in their life experience, though always a healthy cynicism about the process. Even a delightful air of confidence when they are comfortable with the material they are learning, often showing through as satirical humour. These kinds of students always keep me on my toes, and always very rewarding to teach. Ever have a desire to take some more courses to be back in that environment? I'd enjoy having you in my class, your maturity complimenting the dynamic quite well.
Which is what surprises me just a little when you show up just past the end of my posted office hours for student tutoring β I'm quite certain from the questions you ask in class you're not having any problems with the course material. After a short moment of awkwardness I ask why you've come to see me. With a shy smile I haven't yet seen in class you explain to me that although you are not having any trouble with the course material you feel that I'm falling short as a teacher because you're not learning as much as you would like to from me.
"As one of my strongest students I can understand that." I explain, my intrigue growing as I observe your enthusiasm in hearing a positive response. "How would you suggest we approach further challenging you?" is the question I put forward.
"Although I have mastered the course material I feel I lack discipline, feel insufficiently rewarded for my successes and inadequately punished for my failures." You've obviously considered this topic for some time. "I know it's not your responsibility to bring in many skills across disciplines, but I feel your life experience would be invaluable should you put your mind to synthesizing those into a concentrated enrichment program."
What your words haven't spoken outright your smile has related in exquisite detail β I can tell from the fact that it is not only my enthusiasm which is growing at this point in our conversation. It is still an overwhelming risk to voice any specific intentions as to how I plan to address the challenge you have set out. I close my eyes for a moment and consider all the possible outcomes then open them and meet yours.
"I would suggest an initial meeting to review your basic skills, cover some slightly more advanced topics you might be acquainted with, then prepare a plan for your enriched studies." You touch the tip of your tongue to your lips in a further demonstration of encouragement.
"From there we can work on managing discipline, restraint techniques, endurance training, friction control, enticement theory and others. I'll prepare an exhaustive syllabus for you to review, though I'm sure you'll have suggestions of your own. As for synthesizing knowledge and experience from different fields, I think we can incorporate mathematics in the form of topology explorations, engineering in the form of material sciences and stress analysis of binding techniques. Not to mention the physics, kinesiology, physiology and of course a smattering of abnormal psychology. Does that suit your desires?"
"More than you could ever know." Is your enthusiastic reply, replete with seductive smile. You jump up from your chair, lean over my desk and place a delicious kiss on my lips. I only then notice you had a backup plan in mind β amply demonstrated by your loose and low cut top.
"I'll need a little bit of time to prepare some lessons, assemble lab materials, block out time in my calendar. Would you care to meet this time, day after tomorrow, just after office hours?"