THE 7 TYPES OF SEMINAR LEADER YOU’RE LIKELY TO MEET

Words by Grace Jin

1. The Hot Mess

At exactly 11 minutes past the hour, the Hot Mess will fluster into the room, wind-swept and apologising profusely, shirt untucked and probably clutching their third coffee. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion, but with less tragedy and more hilarious, endearing devastation. Somebody please save this poor soul by finally teaching them how to exit full screen. 3. The Chatterbox

The Chatterbox is passionate and a little bit kooky – there’s about a 50/50 chance they pair business casual with sneakers. By the second seminar you’ll know their favourite bars along Peel Street, and all their kids by name. If you’re desperately searching for the best staff member to tentatively connect with on LinkedIn, this is the one. Enthusiastic and outgoing, this seminar leader undoubtedly has character. They’re also usually a bit of a comedian, whether they know it or not (read: make sure the humour was intended before you laugh).

2. The Philosophic Diplomat

This seminar leader will probably ruin your life. You thought you had a clear, clean-cut understanding of the law? Hahaha. Considerate, easy-going and non-judgemental, a Type 2 will calmly and warmly cause you to question everything after they inevitably veer off on a philosophic tangent halfway through the seminar. They were probably Socrates in a past life, and now you’ve decided to give up corporate law for jurisprudence. 4. The Ambitious High-Achiever

Ah, the type most frequently misunderstood. At first instance, you may wallow in self-pity at how intimidating your seminar leader is, forced to read through your course outline when you heard your best mate’s seminar consisted mainly of high quality bants. Why is this staff member so serious all the time? It’s only when exam season hits you that you realise your notes are flawless, and that your seminar leader set you up perfectly for that ever-elusive HD. Plus, I’ll bet if you manage to crack that shell you’ll find the centre’s soft after all.

5. The Parental Figure

Honestly, this one’s a bit of a guardian angel. Patient and genuine, you immediately feel comfortable and confident in their presence. If you’re not usually one for class participation, you may find you’re surprisingly willing to contribute in this seminar. Encouragement and support roll off in metaphorical waves. Your only fear is the same nightmare from school, where you zone out only to snap back into focus and, in a moment of confusion and abject horror, accidentally call the teacher “mum”. Yeah… time to enrol into a different seminar.

6. The Heartthrob Dreamboat

Careful; this one’s a charmer. Effortlessly friendly and helpful, you lament how someone can be so kind and captivating at the same time. If you’ve copped a Type 6, congrats, but let me warn you that this may simultaneously be the best and worst semester of your life. On the one hand, jackpot! You get to moon over pretty doe eyes while learning the law. On the other, you’re probably too busy checking fingers for rings to pay too close attention to the coursework – alas, this one is married.

7. The Godsend

Helpful, reliable and sincere, the Godsend is the holy grail of seminar leaders. Just looking at their pre-prepared slides makes you weep; what beauty! What grace! They’re organised and concise, and for once you actually have a clue what’s going on. Explanations are logical and clear, and they answer all your questions in a way you understand. What an icon; all types of seminar leaders have their strengths and deserve appreciation, but under duress, you’ll probably admit that this type’s the real MVP.