People being spiteful about grades?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Hello everyone! I'm making this topic to ask for some advice, please :shy: I hope it's in the right category. I'm currently taking my pre req's for an lpn-rn program. More specifically, I'm taking A&P. And I've noticed some negative behavior about our tests....let me explain some more. Our instructor curves our tests. The way he curves it depends on the person with the highest grade in class. For example, if the highest grade is a 90, that person gets 10 points to make a 100, and everyone else gets 10 points also. But if the highest grade is a 98, everyone only gets 2 points. Hopefully that makes sense! Well we took our first test a couple of weeks ago, and I made the highest grade in the class. A small curve was added to everyone. I don't tell my grades without someone asking, but of course, a close friend of mine asked and I told her. So now everyone knows I made the high grade. I didn't think there was any problems at first...but now it seems there is some bitterness from some classmates. Our teacher told us on the first day of class that we shouldn't rely on the curve because there is always one person who does really well. So its not like it was a surprise or anything...we took our second test last week, but before the test, there were some people talking about "finding out" who makes the highest grade and "chewing them out for messing it up for everyone." Now I'm worried that will be me again....I'm really not trying to sound arrogant, but I study very hard for my grades. I am just a strong test taker. Either way...I'd rather not tell anyone my grade, but I have a hard time saying no lol :facepalm: I'm shy and quiet. And I don't want to start anything with anyone. What really gets me is that I had this same problem in LPN school!!! Why do people have to be so competitive? But I want to avoid it this time around....I'm sorry this was so long. Any advice or tips what to say if someone asks my grades? I don't want to be mean of course... But any help would be appreciated!! Thank you!!

Specializes in LTC.
Pick one or study less.

Studying less is definitely not an option :)

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

I wish I was in your shoes! If I scored that high I would jump on my desk and shout woohoot!!! Be proud! This is YOUR life, who cares what others think!!! Strive to be the BEST! That's the kind of nurse I'd like caring for me, not one that got by with a curve ;)

Sent from my iPod touch using allnurses.com

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Specializes in ICU.

I am not at school to make friends, period. I am there to get my degree and get a job. I do have some people that I have become close with but we would never ask each other our grades. Just how it is. My one friend just did better than me on our last test and I was happy for her for doing so well. IMO, someone who badgers you about grades is not your friend. Now that you have told them your first, you will be expected to do so the rest of the semester. So you have a choice, you can either choose to give in and tell everyone your grade and be talked about, or not give your grade and be talked about. But like I said, I'm not there to make friends so it doesn't bother me if people talk about me. I'm not there for them, I'm there for me.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

EXACTLY !!! Your business and not theirs. If they ask say I don't want to share. Be assertive. Don't let people pressure you into doing things you don't want to do.

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Consider this excellent practice for the floor.

You will have patients that push and push for something. Are you going to be passive and let them run the show, probably to their own detriment? People cannot *make* you do anything. If you don't want to talk, don't.

When people ask how I did, I just tell them "I did alright" if I got a great grade. If they keep asking, I either say I don't want to talk more about it, or I turn the question on them and ask why they care so much.

Also, the joke's on them later on. If they are relying on everyone sucking to make themselves do/look better, they will not be very successful later on when they are on their own.

This doesn't apply to people who genuinely have issues taking tests or a learning disability. They need to get professional assistance to do their best within the frame of their challenge.

If you like to help others, why not ask if people want to be involved in a study group?

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My Biology class was this way and I was always the top of the curve. If I got asked, I would say "Wow - that was a hard test. I definitely wasn't the top and was smack in the middle. Onto the next test!"

That usually worked for me!

Brook

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Tell them you got a 100% and to embrace the suck would be fun, but I would just tell them it's none of their business. The End.

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

That happened to me in bio. The professor emailed the class that 2 student got almost perfect scores on a a though exam. One got a 98% and the other a 99%. She goes on mentioning our initials. Of course at the next class everyone is introducing themselves and asking each others names. I stayed quite. My lab partner pointed me out as the 99% score. :banghead: Felt good to earn that, but tough to keep it up. Ended up with an A, a well deserved A.

I like to think that I'm not in competition with anyone but myself.

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It is time for you to start developing assertiveness. If you can't say no to a friend who asks your grade, you are not going to be able to stand up to docs to advocate for your patients. Do NOT look for a wishy-washy way to get out of this. Start practicing being assertive now. If someone asks your grade, tell them you aren't going to discuss it with them. If they persist, tell them you don't appreciate their rudeness and walk away. A friend will respect your decision.

Remember, it is not your fault if other people are stupid and don't study.

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I have been in your shoes, but I lack the socialness to care. I took some nasty pleasure in it actually....

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i was in the same boat....i always deflect the question back to them when they ask. Once you do this more than twice they will eventually get the hint. I understand where your coming from but at the end its your grade and not there. Dem lucky they get a few extra points because of you....don't worry about them just continue what your doing...

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I have been in your shoes, but I lack the socialness to care. I took some nasty pleasure in it actually....

me too....lol

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