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!!

Don't dumb yourself down for someone else. If there was not a curve they would still be getting poor grades.

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you all for your replies! I wasn't expecting so many :) I completely agree with all of you. And yes canigraduate I agree, it is time for me to start working on being more assertive. It is a weakness of mine that I have been working on and will continue to work on. LPN school has helped me quite a bit with it, but its still a work in progress. I am definitely not dumbing myself down for anyone!

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Thank you all for your replies! I wasn't expecting so many :) I completely agree with all of you. And yes canigraduate I agree, it is time for me to start working on being more assertive. It is a weakness of mine that I have been working on and will continue to work on. LPN school has helped me quite a bit with it, but its still a work in progress. I am definitely not dumbing myself down for anyone!

Yay! Keep up the good work!

I used to be super shy and wouldn't stand up for myself at all. Nursing has really helped me get past that. It's easier to build assertiveness at first when you're standing up for someone else. Hopefully you'll be able to start now and make it easier on yourself. Good luck!!

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Specializes in LTC.
Yay! Keep up the good work!

I used to be super shy and wouldn't stand up for myself at all. Nursing has really helped me get past that. It's easier to build assertiveness at first when you're standing up for someone else. Hopefully you'll be able to start now and make it easier on yourself. Good luck!!

Thank you! And thank you for your advice :)

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I'm not quite understanding the problem here:

Your classmates are mad that you're ruining the curve, and you're tired of it. But you don't like lying or saying no when someone asks your grade. You don't have many options there besides the obvious. Don't share it.

People are always going to be comparing their grades to someone else's, its natural. When I hear someone did better than I did, it pushes me to work harder. And if I did great on a test, it gives me validation that my hard work pays off. It's a sense of pride knowing that I did well.

Saying "I passed" will cause your classmates to ask a number grade, they want to feel that they did amazing compared to their peers. They want to know how bad you did. And will you look quite snobby when your "barely passed" is actually a 95 or something. People don't think too kindly to that. If you say "I got an A, or I got a low A," generally I find people don't usually ask a percentage. And if they do ask a percentage, don't share it, or say you did a couple % lower; if you're that bothered by what they think that is. Sometimes I'll tell friends the number of questions I got wrong, instead of a percentage. It makes a really nosy person do some math to find out my actual percentage. A lot of people are too lazy to do the math.

You don't need to divulge you set the curve in the class, but you can indicate you did well. Your peers need to spend less time being nosy and angry about the curve and spend more time studying.

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Keep it to yourself. Don't tell others if they did not ask. They don't have the right to get mad at you. Just be yourself and everything will be alright. Goodluck!

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Specializes in LTC.
I'm not quite understanding the problem here:

Your classmates are mad that you're ruining the curve, and you're tired of it. But you don't like lying or saying no when someone asks your grade. You don't have many options there besides the obvious. Don't share it.

People are always going to be comparing their grades to someone else's, its natural. When I hear someone did better than I did, it pushes me to work harder. And if I did great on a test, it gives me validation that my hard work pays off. It's a sense of pride knowing that I did well.

Saying "I passed" will cause your classmates to ask a number grade, they want to feel that they did amazing compared to their peers. They want to know how bad you did. And will you look quite snobby when your "barely passed" is actually a 95 or something. People don't think too kindly to that. If you say "I got an A, or I got a low A," generally I find people don't usually ask a percentage. And if they do ask a percentage, don't share it, or say you did a couple % lower; if you're that bothered by what they think that is. Sometimes I'll tell friends the number of questions I got wrong, instead of a percentage. It makes a really nosy person do some math to find out my actual percentage. A lot of people are too lazy to do the math.

You don't need to divulge you set the curve in the class, but you can indicate you did well. Your peers need to spend less time being nosy and angry about the curve and spend more time studying.

Thank you for your reply. I understand exactly what your saying and I agree! :) As I stated in my previous post, I'm going to start being more assertive and just telling my class mates that I got an A or whatever; just like you said!

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This is what I do...

They ask, I tell. How they decide to feel about my grade is not my problem lol They should have studied.

If they don't ask, I don't tell. Simple.

I'm sorry you are feeling so pressured but on a side note GOOD JOB GETTING SUCH A GRAND GRADE! :D

Future Nurse Jay

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Specializes in LTC.
This is what I do...

They ask, I tell. How they decide to feel about my grade is not my problem lol They should have studied.

If they don't ask, I don't tell. Simple.

I'm sorry you are feeling so pressured but on a side note GOOD JOB GETTING SUCH A GRAND GRADE! :D

Future Nurse Jay

Haha that would definitely make things easier! And thank you, it means a lot!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

You should feel proud rather than embarrassed, OP. I've been in your position before, but I have the luxury of being the polar opposite of shy/timid. Just cock a grin, lift your chin up and announce you're here to f*#% up the curve. Or, if you would rather not come off as a sadistic, arrogant jackwagon like myself, offer to tutor, let people know you're available for questions or advice, etc. Since you are 1) shy, and 2) damn good at A&P, it sounds like a great opportunity to connect with others. Nothing deflates petulance and jealousy like a "we're all in this together" mentality.

0 Votes
Specializes in LTC.
You should feel proud rather than embarrassed, OP. I've been in your position before, but I have the luxury of being the polar opposite of shy/timid. Just cock a grin, lift your chin up and announce you're here to f*#% up the curve. Or, if you would rather not come off as a sadistic, arrogant jackwagon like myself, offer to tutor, let people know you're available for questions or advice, etc. Since you are 1) shy, and 2) damn good at A&P, it sounds like a great opportunity to connect with others. Nothing deflates petulance and jealousy like a "we're all in this together" mentality.

:roflmao: I wish I had your confidence!!! Thank you for your reply, it definitely made my day! In fact, I've already offered help to anyone that wants it and it seemed to help a lot. Just like you said!

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