2.6

Barbara Dykstra

Psychology - Grand Rapids Community College

2.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
N/A
Would Retake
94
Reviews
2.6
Quality
3.1
Difficulty
2.5
Helpful
2.6
Clarity

N/A

Would Retake

94

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

14

4

16

3

19

2

24

1

21

What Students Say

I wanted to punch her

PY233 - 1.0 rating

The tests come from the book but not the lecture

PYCHIL - 2.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

100%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
Not_Sure_Yet (1)
A (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
Not_Sure_Yet: 1
A: 1
A-: 1
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.17 avg change
Apr
Feb
Oct
Mar
Feb
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

S254

5.0

(1)

PS101

5.0

(1)

PY10030

5.0

(1)

PY97

5.0

(1)

PY097

5.0

(1)
+31 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSYC201

5.0

254

4.0

SOCIOLOGY

4.0

PSY232

4.0

PY281

4.0

Reviews (94)
4.0
4.0
SO254
Oct 23, 2000

Must work hard and get stuff in on time--no late work accepted--EVER!

2.0
3.0
SOC
Dec 23, 2000

Not a very good prof, or a very fair grader.

1.0
4.0
SO254
Feb 21, 2001

Doesnt work well with people with a disability.

4.0
4.0
PY233
Feb 22, 2001

No Comments

3.0
4.0
SOCIOLOGY
Feb 26, 2001

Not a good soc. prof- she does too much preaching about her own damned religion

4.0
4.0
PY231
Grade: A+
Mar 1, 2001

tests are hard to understand

5.0
1.0
S254
Apr 26, 2001

Her personal comments make the subject come alive. Don't bash her.

5.0
4.0
PSY201
May 21, 2001

Alot of the tests come from reading the text, not the lectures. Good teacher!

4.0
2.0
SO254
Sep 30, 2001

No Comments

2.0
4.0
PSY232
Nov 14, 2001

She needs to relearn abnormal psychology

1.0
1.0
SO254
Apr 19, 2002

No Comments

3.0
5.0
SOC
Apr 22, 2002

Not understanding at all, hard tests, difficult teacher

2.0
2.0
SOC250
Apr 28, 2002

No Comments

4.0
2.0
PSY
Sep 5, 2002

No Comments

3.0
5.0
PY201
Grade: Not_Sure_Yet
Sep 16, 2002

tests from book, buy study guide will help you even though she says it will not

4.0
4.0
254
Nov 4, 2002

Her lectures are interesting. Her tests come directly from the book.

4.0
1.0
PSYCH201
Nov 11, 2002

No Comments

4.0
2.0
SO254
Dec 22, 2002

Test are hard, i agreed with everything she said, speak up she doesn't bite!!!

4.0
2.0
SO254
Jan 8, 2003

Test Tests right from book, boring lectures but cool & intresting lady

5.0
3.0
PS101
Jan 27, 2003

Gives you a chance to succeed in her class even if it's not your Best Subject

4.0
2.0
SO254
Jan 31, 2003

I really enjoyed her class it was easy and I learned a alot of things

3.0
1.0
SOC100
Apr 1, 2003

her right wing orientation doesnt line up with the insight sociology provides. probably why she doesnt get to the underlying concepts

5.0
1.0
PY232
May 12, 2003

Barb is a great teacher, interesting lectures and tests are right from the book. I got an A-...what's your problem???

5.0
2.0
PY201
Jul 1, 2003

It was a little too hard in the beginning, but it got pretty easy afterwards. Good lecture..Tons of facinating stories. It was one of my best classes ever.

4.0
2.0
PSYCH
Aug 6, 2003

Interesting stories, learned a lot.

4.0
3.0
PSY251
Sep 24, 2003

Dykstra is very easy to listen too and very fun. she expects stuff out of you, but is not going to make you do well, it is your choice

3.0
3.0
FORGOT
Oct 26, 2003

This woman is confused. She only told us about he family life. Who cares? That isn't what she tested us on, but that is what the majority of her lecture was about for most of the semester.

1.0
2.0
PY251
Nov 8, 2003

She lectures about her family the whole hour, then when its time for the exam, she expects you to know almost every chapter out of the DSM and your test book. I recomend not taking her for any class.

3.0
4.0
PY201
Nov 10, 2003

If you have her you better be self motivated because you have to read and understand the book so you can pass the tests. Her lectures are not helping anyone for the most part. Nice person she just doesn't have an effective lecture. The class isnt to hard.

2.0
3.0
PY201
Dec 9, 2003

Doesn't teach anything, mainly tells stories. Get's her test's straight from the book. Don't even waste your time at her class (story) time, just be there for the tests!

1.0
3.0
PY201
Dec 21, 2003

Just read your textbook in class and pay no attention to her family stories or her right wing political ideology. All you need to know is in the textbook. She pulls her tests directly from the text.

1.0
4.0
PY281
Jan 6, 2004

She is a horrible teacher...you must read the book to get a good grade in the class because she does not lecture on the test material..in fact the class should be call the life story of Barb Dykstra, not psychology!!

1.0
4.0
PS201
Mar 25, 2004

She Has no clue what she is doing. Do your best to ignore every thing she says in class because it has nothing to do with the tests and its not going to help you!!! Do every thing in your power to get some one else as an instructor.

2.0
3.0
PY251
Apr 7, 2004

Pushes her political & religious beliefs. Doesn't lecture clearly...don't bother much with notes, just read the book. You can get a good grade if you do. If not, you will mostly learn about her "mentor" & personal life.

1.0
3.0
SOC
Apr 8, 2004

This was the worst teacher I have had in my life. She pushed her won beliefs on the class. I tell everyone I know to never take her. She should never be able to teach another students again!!!!

1.0
3.0
PSY201
May 3, 2004

Mrs Dykstra is a dyk. Save yourself and don't take her, you will get nothing out of her lectures other than her life story.She tests directly from the book, so if you are a self motivator you'll do well,if not find someone else. Her teaching style sucks.

2.0
3.0
PY231
Jul 6, 2004

Why do I have to pay GRCC $200 + to listen to this right-wing twit? In order to do well, just memorize the book. Two chapters a week. No problem. Don't bother taking notes from the book, just memorize the book word for word.

4.0
1.0
SC251
Aug 3, 2004

I liked her. If your a good student she likes you. But I think I know more about her driving habits and her family trips than sociology. Just read the book.

2.0
3.0
PY201
Oct 5, 2004

Mrs. Dykstra is a right-wing nut....plain and simple. Instead of talking about psychology, she rants on and on about her family and her religion. Do yourself a favor and get someone else as a teacher.

1.0
5.0
PSYCHOLOGY
Oct 6, 2004

i have her this semester and i absolutely hate her! she is such a bad teacher and i hate it when she gets side tracked. i had a test yesterday and i dont think i did too well. i failed her last one because she is a right wing thinker who doesnt care abou

1.0
4.0
PY101
Nov 11, 2004

she took over for my teacher because she got sick and left. SHES HORRIBLE. do not take her classes. all of these statements everyone has made about her are true. shes all bleh bleh bleh i love george bush, abortions are wrong, bleh bleh bleh.

2.0
4.0
PSY201
Dec 3, 2004

All about family, religion, and her mentor. Where's psy? I had all a's in high school, now I get all d's. I understand it but not when i study what she lectures and study guide not just random info!

3.0
4.0
PSYCHOLOGY201
Dec 10, 2004

i liked her and she did a lot of preaching but I agreed with her a lot.if you're liberal, don't take the class. Read the book and study it for tests and you'll be fine

2.0
4.0
PY201
Dec 18, 2004

Ok, so everything she talks about is not on the tests. Study the book and you can do good on the tests. Don't take any notes in class cause its a waste of time. VERY BORING especially early in the morning. Talks about her mentor all the time, and has nothing interesting to say.

4.0
3.0
PY201
Jan 16, 2005

I actually liked her. Her opinions are very conservative, but it's refreshing after listening to liberal profs all day. Just read the book, know the vocab and it's a breeze. No need taking notes in class.

3.0
2.0
PY201
Mar 28, 2005

She isn't to bad as long as you don't take notes, get the study guide for the book, and read the chapters. Her lectures have nothing to do with the test, but she tells you that day one, and like what everyone else said, it's refreshing to not have a liberal lecture for once.

2.0
3.0
PS201
Apr 27, 2005

Dykstra didn't really lecture about anything remotely relavent to the class so when test time came you were pretty much on your own. She didn't make the class very interesting, all she did was share personal examples the whole semester.

2.0
3.0
PY201
Apr 28, 2005

What a you know what

2.0
2.0
PY233
May 3, 2005

I hated her class and I know many of my friends in the class dreaded to hear another uber-conservative and neo-freudian proff. Her methods seem out of date and needs much revision.

1.0
5.0
PSY233
May 23, 2005

If i wanted to debate on child rearing I would seek out a professional family counselor not a teacher whos opinions are more forced on the class than the actual class of study. Beware, if you want to pass, DON'T take this class.

1.0
4.0
PY233
May 23, 2005

I am a conservative, so I thought I would be able to handle her- WRONG!!! I wanted to punch her. She lectured about nothing relevant, badgered the poor single mother in the class until she cried, and then went on about how perfect her family is. Then on test day, there was really hard stuff. Beware, she will do nothing to help you.

4.0
2.0
PY
Jun 6, 2005

Yes, she's opinionated. Yes, she lectures about things that she doesn't test on. Yes, she's conservative. But if you study the book, the class is a cinch.

2.0
3.0
PY233
Jun 21, 2005

I thought I was taking child psy. I didn't realize it was parenting class. Boy is she opinionated and if you don't agree with her hold your comments, she won't listen. Run for your life and get out of the class!

1.0
5.0
PY231
Jul 25, 2005

Terrible teacher. Does not teach anything, she just tells stories, about herself, and then expects you to figure it out yourself. if youre that type of person, then i suggest you take the online course, because her lecture is a waste of your time. It wouldve been an interesting subject, too bad she ruined it.

3.0
3.0
PSYCH
Aug 18, 2005

Only so-so as a teacher, but, god what a hottie!

5.0
2.0
PSYCHOLOGY
Sep 6, 2005

She is very good and interesting. However, if you don't like hearing stories you probably shouldn't have her.

3.0
3.0
PSYCHOLOGY
Sep 26, 2005

If you want a prof who lectures about absolutely nothing that is on the exams, this is the one for you. Honestly, you could skip every lecture and only read the chapters on the exam and you'd be fine.

3.0
3.0
PY201
Dec 12, 2005

Nice person but teaching could use some work. Lectures have nothing to do with whats on the tests. Study the chapters in the book and you will be OK.

1.0
4.0
PY233
May 7, 2006

Teaching is horrid. Only talks about her belief systems or her family (thinking its related). Went into tests blind b/c she doesnt teach the material and expects you to know it. Make sure you read that book several times, and even then your chances are slim. I'd stay away.

5.0
1.0
PY101
May 18, 2006

If you've been out of school for a while, take her class! It's VERY helpful in learning to take notes, what to expect w/other professors, and how to study and do research. She is excellent at getting you thinking about yourself and your goals.

2.0
3.0
PYSC201
Oct 23, 2006

Nice lady, but tends to talk a lot, and gets off subject. speaks about her own life alot, and I found myself wondering where she was going with things while lecturing. If you don't mind teaching yourself, and like to study hard, take this class.

2.0
4.0
PY201
Oct 30, 2006

Pretty bad. Don't wanna scare ya, but consider another teacher if possible. She is a nice person, but she sucks at teaching! Most of the time she talks about herself or her family. If you don't read the book, you don't have a snowballs chance in hell of passing! If you have to take her, READ!!!! Take all the extra credit oppurtunities you can!

3.0
5.0
PY201
Dec 18, 2006

She's tough. I believe that she relates her life stories to the sections in the chapter. Then she assumes that you will do the same. She isn't always clear, and loves to express the fact she doesnt care what anyone thinks about her. You have to read the text book!! The book actaully isnt bad. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT, YOULL NEED IT!

1.0
5.0
PSYCH201
Dec 20, 2006

I think it is safe to say NEVER TAKE HER CLASS!! Might as well not go to class because she doesn't teach! We had 1 assignment the whole semester and then a test every week. So basically you have to do good on tests and she doesn't help. I feel like i didn't learn a thing and it was just cramming info in to pass the tests.

2.0
4.0
PY201
Apr 4, 2007

class can be interesting but she talks about her life more than psychology. claims that the stories have things to do with what she teaches but they really don't.

2.0
4.0
PYCHIL
Apr 26, 2007

I think she is awful. She lecters on her opinion only and talks about herself and her beliefs all the time. The tests come from the book but not the lecture. She expects you to read the text and full understand it. I would not recomend taking her unless you can fully handle the anti-abortion crap.

1.0
5.0
PY201
Aug 3, 2007

she is a very rude person who embarrashed me in front of the whole class. she said after you failed the first two test you should have known that you couldn't pass this one either. she also told my what my test score was in front of the class at first I thought she wasn't talking to me. After I looked around for the two other students who wasn't do

3.0
3.0
PY201
Aug 28, 2007

She is not horrible.Go in with an open mind to learn and don't take everything so seriously.She is'nt telling stories, she is giving her class examples so that we may relate to the subject.The first few weeks I didn't think so highly of her ways, but it really got a lot better.READ THE BOOK!she gives extra credit, and droppedour lowest score!

2.0
4.0
PY201
Sep 4, 2007

Her tests are straight out of the book and she uses stories to try to teach you the material through her lectures but it doesnt really help you pass the test. You MUST read the book and learn details to do well. NO final exam and the tests are difficult, get another teacher if you dont do well with learning out of a book or by hearing the material

1.0
4.0
PSY254
Oct 9, 2007

Sometimes leaves in the middle of lectures and expects you to teach yourself the work

2.0
4.0
PSY201
Oct 23, 2007

Prof Dykstra has been very rude to the class I'm currently in. Wastes alot of time not teaching . Her lectures are worthless. Spent most of our last class degrading CC and saying that we are not as smart as her Grand Valley students. Doesn't show much respect for students. I complained to the school about how rude she has been.

2.0
3.0
PY201
Nov 11, 2007

Worst professor I've had in my two years at GRCC. She spent an entire lecture degrading our class and telling us how worthless we were. Lectures are extremely unhelpful and irrelevant to the tests. In order to pass you need to read the textbook and study it on your own. Going to the lecture is an enourmous waste of time as well as insulting.

3.0
3.0
PY201
Dec 2, 2007

I really enjoyed her. She was very helpful. The tests were hard though.

1.0
5.0
PSYC201
Mar 23, 2008

Worst teacher ever. Tests dont relate to the book at all. They dont relate to what she talks about. Tells way to many storeys about personal life. If you get her get out NOW. I thought id take a chance and see if everyone was wrong on here...but there not.

3.0
3.0
PY231
Apr 10, 2008

This prof. is very talkative. She tends to go on and on but is very nice and sometimes it can be interesting. Her test can be very confusing but they were all multiple choice.

5.0
3.0
PY201
Aug 15, 2008

I thought this teacher was great! She gives life stories that relate to the subject that she is lecturing on. She is doesn't hold your hand to make sure you are doing your part as a student and treats you like an adult and expects you to act like it. It is because of her I am minoring in phyc.

3.0
4.0
PY201
Nov 23, 2008

This is being totally honest. Her lectures are hard to understand. Unless you read the book, you have no idea what she is lecturing on. I got an A because I taught myself in the class. I don't know her personally. If you can take her comments and not being offended by what she says and read the book throughouly, take her. If not, don't.

2.0
3.0
PY201
Apr 21, 2009

She talks about her life to try and relate it to what's in the chapters, but it doesn't work. Other times, she just starts talking about her "mentor". It's mentor this and mentor that. I swear there was something going on there. I got an A because I read on my own, not because she helped. Don't take her unless you can study on your own.

2.0
4.0
PY201
Apr 26, 2009

Really not a great professor. She definitely will teach you how to learn on your own. Take only if you are willing to teach yourself. Tests are easy though, and most were open note. Gives extra credit opportunities.

1.0
5.0
PY201
Sep 24, 2009

THE WORST TEACHER EVER I love psych and she totally ruined it thank god I had a better experience with other profs! So hard to understand lectures have NOTHING to do wit the tests, the test are like 75-100 multiple choice ?'s, shes boring and her life discussion have nothing to with anything she is so boring and thinks she something worst teacher!!

2.0
4.0
PY100
Sep 30, 2009

Holy Crap, SOOOOOOOOOOO boring, i cant stand to hear here talk.

3.0
5.0
PY201
Dec 4, 2009

She is very smart and tells interesting stories, but this teacher probably won't help you learn. It doesn't matter how many notes you take in her class or how well you listen. She often goes off topic and talks about things that will not be on any test. She also is unclear about assignments so if you are unorganized DON'T take from her!

2.0
1.0
PY101
Dec 24, 2009

Had her for an "On Course" class, and boy, does she like to talk. It gets old fast and made a relatively easy and fun class dull. She wasn't hard to please, though I wouldn't want her for a 'real' class like Psychology which she also teachers. She handed out extra credit like candy which was nice, but I do wish I didn't waste my time and money here

5.0
1.0
PY100
Apr 28, 2010

Ms.Dykstra was a great teacher. PY 100 was an easy A. I left the class with so much knollege. she does tike to talk, but it is a lecture class. higly reccomended.

5.0
2.0
PY201
Jul 10, 2010

Contrary to popular belief, Mrs. Dykstra is a great teacher. I have her currently for general psychology. I was very hesitant to take this after reading these reviews, but I am glad I didn't drop it. Don't miss class!! The test answers are in her lecture. If you listen to her, you will pass. I failed Psych in HS, but I have an A in this class.

5.0
1.0
PSY233
Sep 12, 2010

Read and you're fine, plus I got so much extra credit it made me getting a A easier. Annoying project but that too is a easy A. I recommend her.

5.0
1.0
PY10030
Feb 6, 2013

Mrs. Dykstra is a great teacher I've ever had, not only she teaches me about psychology but also preach me about god, I've emailed her several times a year just to check on how she's doing. I really love her as my teacher and highly recommend everyone to take her as your psychology. You will not regret.

5.0
2.0
PY97
Apr 3, 2013

Easy class if you read the book. Gives a lot of personal life experiences to help you understand, some of the projects I didn't understand why we were doing them but they were so easy. Lots of extra credit, it would be hard to fail!

1.0
4.0
PSY201
Apr 5, 2013

If it is possible do not have her class! She isn't very clear on what she expects from you, and gets off topic all the time. She doesn't care if you get a good grade or not, just as long as it's easy for her. She will not go out of her way to help, even if it's because of a important thing. I definitly do not want to take her class again!!

4.0
2.0
PY201
Feb 18, 2014

Read the book and take notes from it. Attendance is a portion of your grade, plus there are in-class assignments you can't get credit for if you aren't there. There are weekly, online tests, so buy the code. Do all this and it's an easy A.

5.0
2.0
PY097
Grade: A
Oct 15, 2014

This professor gives great feedback, it's an easy A grade, show up and be ready to go, journals are as easy as 1-2-3. She is laid back but dnot give grades to students she likes more than others. I loved her and I came to class and it paid off in the end. Highly recommended!

3.0
4.0
PY232
Grade: A-
Mar 17, 2015

Reading the textbook is your best bet in passing. Her lectures rarely ever have anything to do with what is being tested. In-class assignments as well so don't skip this class or your grade may suffer.

1.0
4.0
PY232
Feb 2, 2016

I'm a Psych major and I've loved every class I've taken so far. I figured this would be fun as well. No dice. Contemplating dropping and taking it with a different prof in the summer semester. Only talks about her religion, her family, how awful marijuana is, and abortion. Recently talked about how she doesn't trust the APA or the DSM. Worst Ever.

3.0
3.0
PY201
Grade: B+
Apr 13, 2016

Sometimes just talks about one thing for most of class and is a waste of time.

Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

100%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

62% confidence
Based on 4 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (1)
Not_Sure_Yet (1)
A (1)
Grade Distribution
A(2)B(0)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 5 reported grades
A+: 1
Not_Sure_Yet: 1
A: 1
A-: 1
Rating Trend

Stable

-0.17 avg change
Apr
Feb
Oct
Mar
Feb
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

S254

5.0

(1)

PS101

5.0

(1)

PY10030

5.0

(1)

PY97

5.0

(1)

PY097

5.0

(1)
+31 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSYC201

5.0

254

4.0

SOCIOLOGY

4.0

PSY232

4.0

PY281

4.0

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