Final grade disappointment... why can't I let it go???

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Happy Holidays to all!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.
There are so many sadnesses and frustrations we are handed in life. This shouldn't be one of them...many students would be ecstatic with that final grade... and an A- is STILL an A. If it really bothers you, study more next semester, but don't obsess over this. If you really can't let it go and you're missing sleep etc., it may be time to see a counselor.

No, Hypnotic Nurse, I do not need a counselor. I just found out my grade this morning and after busting my butt for 16 weeks with an A average, I was/ am very disappointed with myself for getting a 90 on my final and bring down my GPA with an A-.

I'm sorry I posted this message. I thought I could come here for support, I did not expect to get some of the replies I did...

Those of you who strive for the best in yourself, understand what I mean; whether your average is an A, B or C. I know I should have done better.

Yes, of course, there are more inportant things in life other than my final grade, but felt I could vent here to my fellow peers...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Medicine/ Palliative.

Michelle, may I ask what semester you are in? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

First semester of an ADN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Oh, I know what you mean. In my nursing program we don't get plus/minus grades but you need a 92 for an A and I can tell you if I had missed that by such a close margin I would have been doing the same thing you are... if only I'd answered one more question right!!!! But I don't think many nursing programs grade on the plus/minus system so I don't think people are really realizing that you have been given a lower GRADE... they're just hearing A- vs A and thinking, who cares? They're not completely understanding. Had you come here venting because you were that close to an A and took a B people would have been very sympathetic, what you're talking about is really kind of the same thing, they just don't realize it because they don't have the same grading system you do. At least that's my on-the-cheap-and-un- degreed-psychoanalysis of a bunch of people I've never met... lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No, Hypnotic Nurse, I do not need a counselor. I just found out my grade this morning and after busting my butt for 16 weeks with an A average, I was/ am very disappointed with myself for getting a 90 on my final and bring down my GPA with an A-.

I'm sorry I posted this message. I thought I could come here for support, I did not expect to get some of the replies I did...

Those of you who strive for the best in yourself, understand what I mean; whether your average is an A, B or C. I know I should have done better.

Yes, of course, there are more inportant things in life other than my final grade, but felt I could vent here to my fellow peers...

No one is saying you cannot vent here about your frustrations. But we too have our own opinions on the subject and I believe you got both sides. That is a what you get when you "put it out there". A variety. Just to let you see maybe you're worrying for nothing. I believe in striving for excellence but there is such a thing as too much. Too much stress is not healthy and for you to stress this much (as you said you were) ...well wouldn't you want us to encourage you not to?

All some of us are saying is there is no point in stressing over a 0.5 mark discrepancy. There are far worse things in life than getting an A-. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh, I know what you mean. In my nursing program we don't get plus/minus grades but you need a 92 for an A and I can tell you if I had missed that by such a close margin I would have been doing the same thing you are... if only I'd answered one more question right!!!! But I don't think many nursing programs grade on the plus/minus system so I don't think people are really realizing that you have been given a lower GRADE... they're just hearing A- vs A and thinking, who cares? They're not completely understanding. Had you come here venting because you were that close to an A and took a B people would have been very sympathetic, what you're talking about is really kind of the same thing, they just don't realize it because they don't have the same grading system you do. At least that's my on-the-cheap-and-un- degreed-psychoanalysis of a bunch of people I've never met... lol.
I have the same grading system. Why cant ppl be happy that they just passed? And why is it that ppl brag their grades here? Worse, complain about a good grade! Isnt it enough they announced it all over their school and they have to do it here as well? I dont see the purpose for it? How can they have the heart to announce their A's(or complain) when so many ppl in here are dying just to pass their classes? Dont mean to sound like a b!tch to you Michelle, but come on?!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.
No, Hypnotic Nurse, I do not need a counselor. I just found out my grade this morning and after busting my butt for 16 weeks with an A average, I was/ am very disappointed with myself for getting a 90 on my final and bring down my GPA with an A-.

I'm sorry I posted this message. I thought I could come here for support, I did not expect to get some of the replies I did...

Those of you who strive for the best in yourself, understand what I mean; whether your average is an A, B or C. I know I should have done better.

Yes, of course, there are more inportant things in life other than my final grade, but felt I could vent here to my fellow peers...

Michelle, I know the feeling. I have gotten one B on a test and I cried. I just knew that I could have done better. It felt good to get it out and then I was able to move on.

To those of you who are criticizing her for her feelings of disappointment, how about showing a little empathy? You don't have to have the same standards as she does to understand disappointment and to acknowledge it. Part of being a nurse is going to be showing that empathy, whether it is something you yourself would get worked up over or not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Michelle, I know the feeling. I have gotten one B on a test and I cried. I just knew that I could have done better. It felt good to get it out and then I was able to move on.

To those of you who are criticizing her for her feelings of disappointment, how about showing a little empathy? You don't have to have the same standards as she does to understand disappointment and to acknowledge it. Part of being a nurse is going to be showing that empathy, whether it is something you yourself would get worked up over or not.

Empathy? for A-... in nursing school??? tell me ur not serious!

there is nothing to empathize there. why she is disappointed is beyond me. well she is in fundamentals, so...:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Michelle, I know the feeling. I have gotten one B on a test and I cried. I just knew that I could have done better. It felt good to get it out and then I was able to move on.

To those of you who are criticizing her for her feelings of disappointment, how about showing a little empathy? You don't have to have the same standards as she does to understand disappointment and to acknowledge it. Part of being a nurse is going to be showing that empathy, whether it is something you yourself would get worked up over or not.

It's not so much the teeny tiny mark discrepancy that worries me. It's that she expressed can't shake the feeling of failure. Isn't that worrisome?

Yes of course I'm sorry she feels that way but..........there are worse things than getting an A-.

I can not bring myself to say" Well..next semester make sure sure you study harder because....... holy moly...an A- is totally awful.

I too got upset over my B but I got over it in 10 minutes. I told myself I would just do better. I never let it hang a round me like a black cloud. If I were to tell people about it and say I was preoccupied with my mark ..I would welcome anyone with a different view so I could see the good in it rather than the bad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have the same grading system. Why cant ppl be happy that they just passed? And why is it that ppl brag their grades here? Isnt it enough they announced it all over their school and they have to do it here as well? I dont see the purpose for it? How can they have the heart to announce their A's when so many ppl in here are dying just to pass their classes? Dont mean to sound like a b!tch to you Michelle, but come on?!

I can understand both sides. I have struggled my whole life as an average student. Even still, in nursing school, I'm an average student. I would give anything to earn an A in a course that involves some heavy studying. I don't know if Michelle was in the same situation but I can tell by her posts that she worked really hard this semester to earn an A. To me, an A- is still and A. Even though we don't have the same grading system, I would be thrilled to get an A-. I know that .05 a point isn't a whole lot, but if you've worked so hard all semester and anticipated an A, I can understand why she was upset.

Wendy

Formerly known as FutureLPN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.
Empathy? for A-??? tell me ur not serious!

I AM serious. Just because an A- wouldn't phase you or disappoint you doesn't mean you get to determine what makes another person feel that same emotion. There may be many times in life where you see someone else's issues as "silly", but it's the lousy nurse who can't put her own personal feelings aside and give the necessary support. I mean, really, how hard it is to think, "this girl worked hard and wanted to attain something. She missed it by a small margin. She is disappointed and I can understand disappointment."??? Who cares what the grade was.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I think you know that you have to let it go, and are in the process of doing that but have to feel the bitter disappointment first.

It's hard not to want to rewrite the past and accept the present, but alas, it's what we must do.

Best wishes! A- is quite an accomplishment! Kudos for that. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment