> I've had a professor like that and it takes a while to realize that those people are needed. For lazy students it may be a proper wake up call to the real wor

> I've had a professor like that and it takes a while to realize that those people are needed. For lazy students it may be a proper wake up call to the real world Though it should be mentioned that just as frequently (if not more) such behavior can cause "lazy" students to feel even more discouraged, if their discouragement is what is demotivating them. I would question the premise that to motivate "lazy" students one should give them "tough love." Of course, there are some cases where it might be helpful, but even then it should never be the kind of behavior described in the article, IMO.