Dealing With a Soul Crushing Prof.

I would report this to the Department Head.

I would also go to her office hours and “play the game”… Say that you are sorry that you look miserable…but you have a question about the essay and really want to do it the way she wants… you were thinking about writing about X and thought it was interesting what she said about X…would that be a good essay topic?

In the real world, you will end up with crazy colleagues and bosses…but you can learn to wait them out and/or move to a different job.

Also stay off your phone in any class.