3.4

Wendy Thornton

Psychology - Simon Fraser University

3.4
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
75%
Would Retake
84
Reviews
3.4
Quality
3.5
Difficulty
3.2
Helpful
3.6
Clarity

75%

Would Retake

84

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

32

4

15

3

15

2

12

1

10

What Students Say

Wendy had entertaining stories and was always prepared

PSYC357 - 4.0 rating

Interesting course material

357 - 4.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

45%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 19 grades
Most common grades:
A (7)
A+ (5)
Not sure yet (4)
Grade Distribution
A(12)B(2)C(1)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 23 reported grades
A: 7
A+: 5
Not sure yet: 4
D: 2
Common Tags
Test heavy (8)
Hilarious (7)
Clear grading criteria (4)
Caring (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Respected (3)
Graded by few things (3)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.92 avg change
Dec
Apr
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

384

5.0

(1)

PSYC358

5.0

(1)

PSY357

4.0

(6)

PSYC357

3.8

(47)

PSYC384

3.8

(9)
+5 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSYCH384357

5.0

PSYC

4.7

PSY357

4.0

PSYC358

4.0

PSYC384

3.6

Reviews (84)
5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Feb 6, 2002

great lectures, informative

5.0
2.0
PSYCH357
Apr 29, 2002

very easy exams, interesting lectures, easy to understand material

2.0
4.0
PSYC357
Aug 13, 2002

No Comments

3.0
4.0
PSYC357
Mar 13, 2003

Not very helpful and feedback on your work was non-existent. Terrible lectures.

2.0
3.0
357
Apr 2, 2003

No Comments

4.0
4.0
PSYC384
Nov 3, 2003

Tough course, but she's very prepared and clear. Very entertaining lectures, once you get past the first couple of weeks.

3.0
3.0
PSYCH357
Apr 18, 2004

No Comments

3.0
2.0
PSYC357
Apr 24, 2004

I do not think Wendy enjoys teaching - she seems annoyed by students and just wants to get through the material.

2.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 29, 2004

The ratings were absolutely unfair. yes, she doesn't enjoy teaching and appeared to be rude to students. Materials are easy but she make things complicated be adding too many stats where it is not being tested. Major theories were rushed through.

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
May 3, 2004

Wendy was thorough and well-prepared. Must work hard to do well, but if you do you will enjoy the class. Tests big ideas.

1.0
5.0
PSYC
Jun 18, 2004

Avoid at all cost. Rude, arrogant, doesn't care about students at all. Notorious in the department.

1.0
5.0
PSYC
Jul 10, 2004

Terrible professor. Controlling, rigid, only cares about herself. Lecture is unhelpful and made outrageous comments in class.

4.0
3.0
PSYC384
Jul 14, 2004

Super nteresting class if you're into biology or babies.She's super smart.Tough, but cool. Don't be scared by the first lecture - it gets better. Easy exams - just memorize the slides. Also, most of example exam ques. were actually on it!

2.0
4.0
PSYCH357
Aug 15, 2004

She doesn't seem to enjoy teaching and very rude, ignorant and not a nice professor to talk or approach to. She seems to make things very complicated and her marking schemes as a whole is unfair. I would not recommend anyone to have her as a professor.

1.0
5.0
PSYC
Oct 18, 2004

Very rude to students (both undergrads and grads), arrogant yet ignorant. Do NOT take any courses she teaches if you're hoping to learn something about biopsyc.

4.0
4.0
PSYC384
Grade: A+
Dec 14, 2004

Be prepared to study your ass off. Just when you think you are prepared for the test, she slams you on it. Know the readings, she tests hard on them. She's not as mean as she seems, talking to her in her office, she is super helpful and nice, and gives good advice.

2.0
4.0
PSYC
Dec 28, 2004

she is HARD. there are a lot of readings and So So much details, u wouldn't know what to focus on specifically and what not to. memorizing the slides are mostly helpful for multiple choice questions but there are like TONS..so goodluck. heh. if u want a good mark, u really must study ure ass off.

1.0
5.0
PSYC
Jan 10, 2005

Avoid her at all cost. She's rude to her students, and is EXTREMELY unfair. Rushes through material and makes ignorant comments -- the more she tries to explain herself, the more ignorance she shows.

1.0
5.0
PSYC
Mar 14, 2005

No Comments

3.0
5.0
PSYC384
Apr 5, 2005

HARD class, the class average was around 50%, but scaled. Unapproachable prof. Probably nicer then she seems, but comes across as a witch. SHOCKINGLY HARD TESTS! think youve studied enough?! study more! know the readings.

4.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 11, 2005

I loved this course! Dr. Thorton is extremely knowledgeable in this subject and it comes across in her lectures. I can't believe the harsh ratings she's received. Be prepared to study for her tests, they are not easy. Super interesting course! She is a little snappy if you tell her to turn up her m

3.0
4.0
PSYC
May 1, 2005

The courses this prof teaches are highly informative, but for psychology we need more than cold data. Besides, exams are not friendly, lack of trust, too disciplined...it's not an army, it's university.

2.0
5.0
PSYC357
Jun 1, 2005

she's soooooooo hard!!! and doesn't seem to care about people

5.0
3.0
PSYC384
Nov 1, 2005

Awesome course! yeah the tests are hard, but are scaled. Memorize the slides and the readings and you'll do fine. Awesome proff! Absolutely indulging lectures, she really shows an interest is what shes teaching. Prepare to work hard and you'll do fine!

4.0
4.0
PSYC384
Nov 8, 2005

No Comments

5.0
4.0
PSYC384
Grade: A+
Nov 16, 2005

Dr. Thornton made this class interesting and presented the material so that it made sense. It isnt an easy course but if you know the text and pay attention in class you'll do fine

1.0
5.0
PSYCH384357
Dec 19, 2005

No Comments

5.0
3.0
384
Feb 2, 2006

This was a very interesting class. Wendy's clarity, interest, and organization make it a class worth taking. Go to lecture, know the material, and you can do very well.

5.0
3.0
357
Feb 16, 2006

great class, interesting material, excellent prof, plan to come to class because she covers a lot that is not in the text

2.0
5.0
PSYC357
Apr 6, 2006

I have waited until the end of my degree to make this rating. I've taken several classes with Wendy, and in my experience, she can be nice sometimes and that's a stretch. Aside from that, she's a poor excuse for a professor, makes students feel stupid in front of the entire lecture hall. I personally think she's a raving ****, end of story.

4.0
2.0
PSYC357
Apr 7, 2006

I really enjoyed the course. She was a great lecturer..interesting material. Exam is straight from her notes and text, some focus on detail but quite a fair exam.

5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 28, 2006

interesting class and prof, exams are fair and if you study text and lecture notes you can answer all the questions easily as they are straight forward questions.

3.0
3.0
PSYC357
May 19, 2006

good class but she seems like a ****. gave B's to people with 72%and 82%,while those with 84% got A's, which is unfair. isnt there such a thing as an A- or B+? Unresponsive to complaints. poor attitude towards students. leaves class early for "TA question sessions" she should be the one staying to answer the questions!

3.0
3.0
PSYC357
Sep 20, 2006

her exams are fair. If u study the text and lecture material, u are well off because her questions are straight forward

1.0
3.0
PSYC384
Nov 22, 2006

She goes too fast in lecture, assuming everyone knows all the fancy terms. Textbook is very crappy. Articles help - more than the lectures do.

4.0
2.0
PSYC357
Dec 1, 2006

She's okay..sometimes she's funny, but the way she talks is super fast. She never slow down unless someone request to. Not a bad prof..but lots of reading.

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Dec 23, 2006

Excellent prof! Funny, nice, and super smart. Lots of reading, but interesting course.

4.0
2.0
PSYC384
Jan 2, 2007

Good prof. Enjoyed class. Textbook sucks a lot. Lectures are very important and exams are fair.

4.0
3.0
PSYC357
Jan 2, 2007

She is very organized- exams are fair. As long as you read the text and attend lectures you will do fine :)

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Apr 8, 2007

Awesome prof!! Really enjoyed this class, she showed interesting videos that were very relevant.

3.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 15, 2007

The worst developmental Psyc class ever! Wendy mumbles and talks too fast. Most of her material comes straight out of the textbook yet on the final, she the multiple choice are mainly from the textbook that she didn't cover. Marking scheme is awful and the TA for this class was the worst TA I have ever had. I don't recommend this course

5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 26, 2007

Awesome prof! Very funny, nice, and helpful. Exams are fair. Lectures are mandatory.

4.0
1.0
PSYC357
May 4, 2007

Class was really easy if you read the text and listened to lectures

5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Aug 23, 2007

Prof is super smart, funny, and very approachable. Awesome class, great films.

3.0
5.0
PSY357
Nov 27, 2007

A pretty clear and organized prof that does just what she's paid to do. Wendy is average as far as profs go. Teaches right from the text, so read that and you'll be fine. Tests are long and very in-depth! A little disorganized at test-time (our midterm was a mess!), but otherwise okay. Average: not good or bad!

4.0
3.0
PSYC357
May 12, 2008

Very knowledgeable prof who seems interested and involved in her field. Organized and easy to listen to. Tests weren't easy. My tip is to memorize all of the tables in the text, and give WAY too much info on short answer questions (it's actually what's expected.) I'd take a class with her again.

5.0
4.0
PSYC358
Jun 12, 2008

I agree, very involved in her field, and she is one of those profs who truely thinks about students' future (although she doesn't really show it too much, implies during lectures). Her stories are funny. But study hard for exams. Yes, memorizing charts is very helpful. I'd take it with her again, too!

3.0
3.0
PSYC357
Dec 18, 2009

A lot of theories to know. Attendance is mandatory. Keep up with your readings,ppts,and notes on a weekly bases. There's a lot of facts to know.

5.0
2.0
PSYC357
Apr 12, 2010

In four years at SFU, I've never had a better instructor! Wendy is intelligent, funny and very approachable, and has a high knowledge in the topic. She definitely keeps you engaged in class with several videos and cool facts about adulthood and aging. The midterm was relatively easy if you studied. I would definitely take this class with her again!

5.0
2.0
PSYCH357
Nov 11, 2011

SUCH a boring class!!! Wendy has a lot of knowledge about her field and tries to make this class interesting with videos but it is so hard to attend and actually pay attention to her reading facts to you in a monotone voice...exams are fair, she's pretty average as profs go

2.0
4.0
PSYC357
Oct 15, 2012

class is so boring!!!! She talks so fast and listless.

4.0
4.0
PSYC357
Apr 22, 2013

Wendy is an engaging and candid lecturer, but her course is boot camp. 50/50 MT and final, HARD exams and quite bio-focused. Just knowing the material she discussed in class, reading the textbook and taking notes (the minimum for any class) would not have been enough to get a B-. Unless you're really interested in old folks, be forewarned!

4.0
3.0
PSYC357
Apr 30, 2013

Wendy was a great prof! I wasn't excited going into the course but ended up loving it. Her interest/knowledge of the material is huge! The midterm/final were alright-dif & were based off lecture/text which overlap a lot. Main concepts covered, detailed questions there to separate A & B students. I studied solely from lecture & ended up with a B+

2.0
2.0
PSYC357
May 19, 2013

Class is very very boring, exams are not hard.

2.0
2.0
PSYC357
Jul 17, 2013

50% MT, 50% final. No room for screw ups! Carefully study both lecture notes and the textbook for the exams. You'll do well if you study hard. The material is interesting, although Wendy isn't the greatest presenter and the class ends up being really boring. If you're willing to study hard, then take the class and you'll be fine!

3.0
3.0
ADULTANDAGING
Jul 19, 2013

You think she is fair at first. Then after she makes you fill in her evaluations, and you mark her as a fair prof. She screws you over in the final exam. It was super hard and unfair. The written questions are very picky and specific, and doesn't capture the main points of the chapters, rather it only covers small details in the textbook.

3.0
5.0
PSYC357
Dec 12, 2013

Wendy is a good lecturer, but her midterm and exams are extremely difficult and hard!! Her short answers are really picky and looking for specific details which didn't related to the big picture. Study really hard is not enough to pass this course. You will need good memory to survive this course.

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: D
Dec 17, 2013

Wendy is a wonderful teacher and is very helpful if you go to her office hours. This course isn't a gpa booster but it is possible to get a good gpa if you work hard and study the textbook and the class notes.

3.0
5.0
PSYC357
Dec 17, 2013

The course content is very interesting. However, the exams are pretty much impossible. I recognized the concepts on half the questions but they were too confusing to know what was being asked. As for the other half, I had never heard of the concepts in my life and I read the textbook twice as well as studied the lecture slides. Very very hard prof.

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: C
Apr 24, 2014

She's an interesting lecturer but as others have said, the exams are insanely difficult, literally one of the most difficult exams I've ever had during post secondary. Don't take this course unless you HAVE too.

4.0
4.0
357
Oct 28, 2014

Class was very biologically based, but has no bio pre-requisite. Interesting course material. Tests are hard, study everything.

2.0
4.0
357
Grade: Not sure yet
Dec 9, 2014

Exams are there to test your knowledge of the course material right? I studied meticulously for the final more so than usually. But when I wrote the exam instead of testing my knowledge, some questions were set up to be tricky and with intent to screw you up. Also, a lot of small seemingly unimportant details took precedence in the exam.

2.0
5.0
PSYC357
Dec 14, 2014

if you want your gpa to be good, dont take this prof. Her grading is tough, especially the long question parts in her exams.

5.0
4.0
PSY357
Grade: A+
Mar 26, 2016

Amazing class, amazing lecturer. Wendy clearly explains everything and makes the information relatable and engaging. One of the best profs I've ever had! Learned so much about my future fate as an aging human.

4.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: A-
Dec 11, 2016
Would take again

Had a really good experience with this class and the awesome TA helped me a lot. Interesting lectures and lots of opportunities to ask questions and get feedback on midterms. Wendy had entertaining stories and was always prepared. Take this class with Laura if you can!! Chilli pepper is for her

5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: B-
Nov 29, 2017
Would take again

Wendy's class is kind of intense, and her fast-paced way of teaching makes things feel more stressful than they are. But she's really funny so that lightens the mood. Overall, a great prof, and straight-forward class. Tests were harder than expected, and you need to read the text to do well

Hilarious
TEST HEAVY
Tests are tough
5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 7, 2018
Would take again

Maybe too soon to say as I am about to take my first Midterm with her, but after listening to the recordings of her lectures again, it is fair to say Wendy has a very good understanding of the material. Able & willing to answer any questions. Clarity in her descriptions. A biological course, but very engaging, even for a soci/psych kid like me.

Hilarious
TEST HEAVY
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
PSY357
Grade: B+
Nov 27, 2018
Would take again

I enjoyed this class and I learned quite a lot that I can apply to my current life and things to expect in my future. Wendy allowed us to ask questions in class. If you went to class, took notes, and connected the lectures to your textbook youll do well on the exams. Straightforward grading rubric for exams as well. Teach more classes Wendy!

Skip class? You won't pass.
Clear grading criteria
Caring
5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: B
Dec 19, 2018
Would take again

I had checked Dr. Thornton on RMF before I took her course and I was a little apprehensive going in. She comes off as being harsh, but after that initial impression, you quickly realize just how caring and kind she is. She's really funny with her stories and her lectures are super engaging. I highly recommend you attend her lectures.

Amazing lectures
Caring
LECTURE HEAVY
5.0
4.0
PSY357
Grade: A
Apr 24, 2019
Would take again

Great class, interesting lectures, read textbook and attend class and you'll do fine!

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Caring
5.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: A
Oct 26, 2019
Would take again

This is my favourite professor at SFU so far and it was this course that actually made me decide what I wanted to pursue in my psych degree (development and aging). Her lectures are really great, I am never bored. Her tests are very specific and can be quite difficult if you study. She explains concepts so well and gives great real life examples.

Clear grading criteria
Hilarious
Amazing lectures
5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Nov 20, 2019
Would take again

Honestly one of the best profs I've had and such an amazing and valuable course in general. Out of all my psych classes, this one has by far been my favorite. The content is pretty hard at times and there is ALOT of information to retain but professor Thornton makes lectures so interesting that it's not hard to stay focused and pay attention

Hilarious
Amazing lectures
Lecture heavy
5.0
2.0
PSYC357
Grade: A
Dec 20, 2020
Would take again

this was my absolute favourite psyc course ive ever taken at sfu! 3 exams, asynchronous lectures. i genuinely enjoyed Dr Thornton's lectures, super funny & is very straightforward with what she expects. go to office hours, shes very helpful! I didnt get the textbook. the whole course is really just good advice for living a long/healthy life

Respected
Inspirational
Test heavy
3.0
4.0
PSYC357
Grade: Not sure yet
Apr 18, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dr. Thornton's online lectures were terrible, they were prerecorded from a live lecture before COVID and it was difficult to concentrate. Wish she had rerecorded them. Exams were 2hrs before multiple students decided to cheat on an open book exam. The exams became 1hr for 50 qn's and this significantly impacted grades. The course is also curved.

Get ready to read
Test heavy
Clear grading criteria
3.0
5.0
PSYC357
Apr 19, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Students involved in academic dishonesty ruined the whole class and honest students faced the consequences. I would avoid till goes back in person. Lectures were old, felt like she did not care. Interesting content, however, not worth the headache. Everyone in the class suffered terribly.

Accessible outside class
Graded by few things
Test heavy
1.0
4.0
PSYC357
Apr 26, 2021
Wouldn't take again

Dont recommend taking this course while its online. Lectures are boring and old. Hard to stay motivated as it is just three exams. Its all reading from a textbook and prof isnt involved at all.

Test heavy
5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Grade: A
Dec 5, 2022
Would take again

Wendy was one of the best lecturers I have had. It was a joy coming to class even at 8:30 am. 2 midterms and a final are the only things you're graded on. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone who wants an engaging lecture and a reason for coming to class every week.

Get ready to read
Respected
Test heavy
5.0
2.0
PSYC357
Grade: A
Dec 14, 2022
Would take again

Great prof! Exams are open book and not hard at all. Lectures are recorded and good quality. Highly recommend

Respected
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
357
Grade: A
Dec 27, 2022
Would take again

Wendy's lectures are really interesting and she records them. Most exam questions are based on lecture material so as long as you come to class and/or watch the lectures, you'll do well. Your entire grade is based on only 3 open-book MC exams in this class, no other papers/assignments. She's available for help outside of class too. Def recommend.

Amazing lectures
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
5.0
2.0
PSY357
Grade: A+
Apr 16, 2023
Would take again

Wendy is the best prof I have had, her lectures are super engaging and the material is super interesting. I like the fact that the course only has 3 exams, she also makes them super fair. If you keep up with lectures it is pretty easy to do well. I did not read the textbook and still managed to do pretty well.

Amazing lectures
Hilarious
Caring
1.0
5.0
PSY357
Grade: Not sure yet
Nov 30, 2023

Unfortunately she wants to make an competition in the class as grading based who ever gets higher mark. She wants to make sure people can not pass . She does not care any student .

Test heavy
1.0
1.0
357
Grade: D
Dec 1, 2023

I am so upset she is the one teaching this class because she puts only stress in people and SFU should acutally put instructors who cares students.

5.0
3.0
PSYC357
Grade: A+
Jan 28, 2024
Would take again

Wendy was an amazing professor. Her lectures were so interesting; I could listen to her read the phone book. The tests were open-book, but do not take that as an indication that the tests are easy and you don't need to study. If you are familiar with the content from the lecture and the textbook beforehand, you will do well on the tests.

Amazing lectures
Test heavy
Graded by few things
5.0
3.0
357
Grade: A
Feb 29, 2024
Would take again

Dr. Thornton is an amazing lecturer and really kind person. She was the only prof I was willing to get myself up to SFU at 8:30 for. She is really open to discussion and questions and encourages critical thinking. She is passionate and extremely knowledgable about the topics she teaches. Take any class from her you can get!

Amazing lectures
Inspirational
Hilarious
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

45%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B+

95% confidence
Based on 19 grades
Most common grades:
A (7)
A+ (5)
Not sure yet (4)
Grade Distribution
A(12)B(2)C(1)D(2)F(0)A-/B+(2)
Based on 23 reported grades
A: 7
A+: 5
Not sure yet: 4
D: 2
Common Tags
Test heavy (8)
Hilarious (7)
Clear grading criteria (4)
Caring (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Amazing lectures (4)
Respected (3)
Graded by few things (3)
Rating Trend

Improving

+0.92 avg change
Dec
Apr
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

384

5.0

(1)

PSYC358

5.0

(1)

PSY357

4.0

(6)

PSYC357

3.8

(47)

PSYC384

3.8

(9)
+5 more courses
Difficulty by Course

PSYCH384357

5.0

PSYC

4.7

PSY357

4.0

PSYC358

4.0

PSYC384

3.6

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