I admit last year it might have been worse, but what you say it not strange to me, either.

I'd let them take you by the hand and guide you. When you oppose and try to force them back into their place they might get even pricklier and stunt your endeavor to finish prep in time completely.

That's what I did, and now getting assignments done, is censurably less stressful, painstaking and enraging.