Shes not that bad, she is rather stringent on her guidelines

She will lock you out of class if you are late. Can be nice, just talk to her.

She wasn't bad to do research for; unusually relaxed and nice

I will admit that I work harder in this class than any of my other classes (and i'm not a history major), however, you learn a lot in the classes. Dr. Ferrell is a tough grader and a strict teacher, but she is reasonable.

I thought she was a good prof. And too bad if you're late, at least you get the day off.

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She was a hard teacher but that is what you want to have in college. She was helpful if you can handle criticism. Obviously some people can't.

Ferrell is TOUGH but good. People like to moan about her classes - she actually has expectations of college level competence in reading and writing. She's really helpful outside of class. I worked my tail off in her class & had an A to show for it.

Ferrell is a sweet lady and worth getting to know. I was sick of people trashinf her and picked her as my advisor. She gives me tons of attention and we always chat about the kitties she rescues.

She is a great and fair grader. My experiences with her have always been positive. Some of the book smart students complain because she makes you use what you know instead of regurgitate. She out of all of my teachers has really helped prepare me for my career, teaching (Im a first-year teacher).

I failed my midterm terribly, she didn't let me drop the class, and I learned more than i though possible....no doubt about it, its a wicked hard class, but worth the work.

Yes, her classes are very hard. Yes, she insists on academic excellence. Yes, she can be critical when students don't meet syllabus expectations. Yes, she made me a better student! Those who attack her professionalism should consider their motivation. Did you work as hard as you could have? Take Ferrel if you want to excel in life.

Very underrated. Be polite, nice, and respectful and she will treat you just the same.

I'm a former student (class of 1999) and I was scared to take Dr. Ferrell's classes due to her "reputation". Once there, I was sorry that I waited until my sr year. I certainly improved my writing, improved my reading, and improved my level of critical thinking. Yes, she's demanding but she's one of the best and knows her content! Take her class

Next semester will be my third Ferrell class. Good teacher. Learned a lot in my first two classes. Shes a good prof.

This was my second time taking her. Course work is definately alot. Read ahead of time if you can! Use the Writing Center as much as you can! Ask questions if you hadn't done the reading! (she still give you credit) She understanding about workload (reading)but still expects you to do the work. But the plus is if you pass you get a SI and WI credit

I'm a member of the class of 2006. I had Dr. Ferrell for three classes total, two of them independent research classes. She is tough but she will have you better prepared for the real world than anyone else. Do the work, ask questions, go to the writing center (she helped start it, HINT HINT) turn the work in on time, give no excuses and listen.

Because 299 is a mandatory class for all History Majors at UMW, I would recommend taking this with Ferrell. She is not, by any stretch of the imagination, the easiest professor at UMW; that being said you WILL BE prepared to finnish your history major after finishing this class.

Prof. Ferrell is difficult in her demands from a student of her class, but believe me it is because she is serious about history. That seriousness is hugely rewarding if you are like me in undergrad - lost and alarmed about the real world. I am now in Graduate School and a Ph.D. seems plausible!

Honestly, I hated her throughout most of the year. Then I reread a paper from the semester before I had her, and it was awful. She is really nice, and expects a lot out of your writing which hurts your grade, but trust me, its a good class to take.

Professor Ferrell is amazing. Yes, she has high expectations. Yes, her class is difficult. Anyone that is asking for a class to be easy in COLLEGE should rethink their level of motivation. You learn and retain a ton of information and you learn how to write properly. With over thirty years of experience, Ferrell is beyond qualified to instruct.

I took 3 classes with Ferrell; 417 was the last. She has high expectations and demands quality work. She is fair though, and willing to work with students who are willing to really try. Do the (substantial) reading, come to class prepared, and talk to her if you're having issues, and you'll be fine. Highly underrated, and not actually scary at all.

DR! Ferrell is easily one of my favorite professors. She is hard and has high expectations, but is the most helpful teacher I have had. Your writing will improve if you take her. She is sassy and loves cats.

She is a tough grader, and expects a lot out of students. She's friendly though, and will help you if you as for it. ALL her classes are speaking intensive, and ALL have very high standards for writing. Not a class you can slack in.

very intensive class, heavy reading load; moderate writing load. She's practically the ideal professor for this class.

Be prepared to work and talk. She requires lots of reading and writing. She is a great professor and wants her students to do well, but she has no pity. She expects a lot, but you figure out what she expects within the first couple weeks. That doesn't mean you'll get a great grade, but don't feel bad you'll learn a lot in the process.

If you take a class with Professor Ferrell do not expect an easy experience. In the short term my grade suffered, but in the long term I'm a better student, a better writer, and a much better researcher not just for her, but for every professor.

Dr. Ferrell is notoriously tough, but I have taken her for several classes. She challenges students, which is why we are in college anyway. If students do not want to be challenged and to learn, they should either not be in college or just go to an easy community college. I have become a better writer and history student because of Dr. Ferrell.

This course was incredibly informative and interesting. If you are history buff or like to read about American 1800 history, I recommend this course. There is a ton of reading to do for this course and prepare to have to write one-page (but in-depth) summaries of all the books covered. She's a tough grader but she'll help you improve your writing.

If you take your foundation classes with Ferrell your GPA will suffer in those classes but go up in every other class. She's a tough grader and nit picks you to death, but by writing to her standards you beat every other professor's standards. I took my basics with her and I went from writing C papers to writing A papers.

Dr. Ferrell has been extremely helpful for me. I had her for my first and last class at UMW. Both classes were the hardest classes I have ever taken. However, I became a better writer (and reader). Expect work and difficulties. If you want to be a scholar then take atleast one of her classes. I went from a C- to a A-. Hardest but best professor.

Dr. Ferrell is the single greatest professor I have ever had at Mary Washington. She is an extremely hard grader and expects your best. If you give your best you will get her best. I took one of her classes every semester and I wouldn't change a thing. It's college, it isn't supposed to be easy. You will learn more in her classes than any other.

I took her 298 and nearly failed. Thought she was incredibly mean and unfair! Then she became my 485 advisor. I worked with her and learned that she's a GREAT professor as long as you communicate. Her door is always open for help- which is good because her classes are hard. If you GENUINELY put in the work, you will be rewarded!

A fair amount of work, followed with high expectations. Nothing out of the ordinary for a college-level course. A lot of the negative reviews for Dr. Ferrell are seemingly from people unable to take criticism. I found the feedback I received to be very useful, and Dr. Ferrell is very easy to meet with. Great professor.

The class I took, HIST390, was the best class I took at the university. Discussion-heavy (every class) and paper-heavy. Show up ready to discuss, you're graded on it. Class is Reading HEAVY. Papers (from discussions readings) are graded hard. The class made me SO MUCH of a better writer and student although my final grade was a C. Highly reccomend.