John McKenna - St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS

Professor: John McKenna

Department: Psychology

College: St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He was interesting to listen to but he wasn't very clear with coursework. Also, he never gave enough time for us to copy down his notes from the slideshow and he refuses to post them online. The class was also pretty tough, it didn't help that there was a quiz basically every week

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: PSYC230
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. McKenna is one of my favorite profs so far. He is hilarious, intelligent, and he's style and level of difficulty is reasonable. Those who complain about him are typically the ones not reading or studying hard enough. All the content is covered well and he answers any and all questions you have and if he doesn't have to answer then, he'll get it

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH230
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Mckenna is an extremely tough guy when it comes to marking or even just connecting with his students. He's extremely hostile and rude when directed at students and even staff. His lecture notes don't even cover half of what you need to know for the class. He relies heavily on the book and if you want to even pass you MUST make your own notes

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

McKenna is a doll, he can seem a bit standoffish but visit him during office hours & he'll be your best friend (as long as you've done your homework). He is extremely intelligent & knows his stuff. Class participation is a MUST. McKenna loves to have banter & discussion within the class, so always be on your toes. Oh, don't use your cellphone..

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: PSY100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

McKenna's not as tough as everyone makes him out to be. You do have to study and listen but it's nothing insanely hard. He's biology heavy but it is kind of helpful. I'd say don't even bring your phone to class and try to write your notes by hand rather than on your computer.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Doesn't post notes online like all the other profs do. Promotes marijuana use constantly. Very intimidating. Read the textbook. DO NOT USE CELL PHONE IN CLASS. Won't go so far as to say he ruined psych for me, but definitely less enjoyable now.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He was pretty funny most of the time, but do NOT make him mad. And make sure you memorize the whole textbook.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I enjoyed the study of psychology before getting this prof. Extremely rude, doesn't allow the use of laptops, calls students out, reiterates exactly what you're already reading in the text, puts nothing online, gives tests with questions that are barely relevant to what you've covered. Also promotes drug use and overuses profanity. Do not recommend

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Mean, scary, won't help, promotes marijuana all the time, not clear on tests, not prepared, straight outta textbook

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

McKenna is a very tough and intimidating guy. He teaches straight from the text book, right down to the examples-- he does not put the work in that we deserve. I wholly agree with reading the text book but I believe class should be learning other than word for word the text book.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH 100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Mckenna is not a nice person. He calls people out in class and it unnecessarily rude. I would not take his course again and I am personally very intimidated by him. He does not post powerpoints online so you must go to class and take notes. Expect weekly quizzes and DO NOT go on your phone in class or whisper to the person next to you.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is absolutely hilarious in class, and shows passion for Psych. Don't take his class if you think it's going to be an easy A because you will have to put in work. He has interesting examples and basically goes off of the textbook.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: PSYC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Best prof at X, the only one who taught properly and was professional, and he did not put up with nonsense.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is the worst lecturer I have ever encountered in life. Made me think twice if I really wanted to major in Psych anymore. Very rude and not helpful at all. If your going to teach first year students think of not ruining their dreams, and more of encoring and helping them out with what is necessary!!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Avoid this professor if you want to enjoy learning. He is rude, annoying, and self- centered. I was yelled at for passing out multiple choice cards in the wrong order which completely caught me off guard. Sitting in his class DRAGS through my morning. He is anything but nice and needs to do something else with his life other than teaching.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

A lot of negative comments on here for McKenna.. honestly, his class is hard. He doesn't have patience for laziness and he is very clear about his expectations. READ THE TEXTBOOK!! It will be your saving grace. I worked harder in his class than any other class and finished with a 75%, which I thought was fair.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PSY100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

this man almost ruined my psych experience. SO discouraging and unwilling to help. he made exams difficult and the info was all over the place. he is rude, mean and seems like he wanted to be ANYWHERE other than teaching us.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

terrible teacher, avoid if at all possible.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

By far the most unfair marker I have seen, gave half the class a 0 on our first university paper and flagged us all for plagiarism, when other profs later confirmed is wasn't. ESPECIALLY avoid him if you're new to psychology classes, he's very unfair and highly discouraging to deal with as a first year.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: PSYCH100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If you try hard to do well in his class & make yourself more than just a name then he will be willing to help you; the 2nd midterm of winter 2010 was bullcurved. He has no patience for people who don't take his class seriously & skippers. You MUST study the textbook & study 10 days in advance of midterms & exams to succeed! Very hard paper marker.