In my experience as a university student, encounters like the one described can be particularly stressful and have lasting emotional impacts. When students seek clarification on exam materials, especially practice exams that are meant to prepare them, it’s crucial that professors respond with patience and understanding rather than frustration. Academic environments should foster open communication to reduce anxiety and help all students succeed. The situation where a professor not only yelled over a phone call but also demanded a public apology seems extreme and counterproductive. From what I’ve observed, effective professors often embrace questions as opportunities to clarify complex concepts and demonstrate compassion. This approach can alleviate student stress, which is essential since anxiety can seriously affect a student's performance. Furthermore, the timing of the call—right before an exam worth a significant portion of the grade—also seems unprofessional and unfair. Ideally, professors should provide clear instructions well in advance and create supportive channels for students to address concerns. Publicly shaming a student by demanding an apology in a group chat can damage self-esteem and trust in the educational process. I’ve noticed that universities increasingly emphasize mental health awareness and respectful communication. If students feel that their concerns are met with anger or dismissiveness, it may discourage them from seeking help in the future, potentially harming their academic progress. Overall, incidents like this highlight the importance of maintaining respectful and supportive interactions between professors and students. If you or someone you know encounters this kind of treatment, it might be helpful to report the behavior to student services or an academic advisor to ensure that proper standards of conduct are upheld.