Asking for a change of grade

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 26, 2010

You are not going to like my advice.

Suck it up and take the grade. You admit it that you failed it on your own. No distractions, no excuses just that you had a hard time getting the material. If you dont get the material why do you deserve a redo on the final or a better grade? You say you wont see him until next semester so you want this whole break to study for the final that other people already took? I honestly would just take the grade, retake the class, learn the info and look back on it and realize you learned something from it.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Dec 26, 2010

Also, keep in mind that a grade of "F" is a semester in the making.

You could have (and should have) discussed your performance with the professor prior to the final.

Why did you post two threads addressing the same topic?

mef06011 · Dec 26, 2010

Yeah, I'm also going to have to agree with That Guy. We have a grading system to evaluate how well the students have learned the material. All students take the same exam. Those who understand the material in the time given do well. Those who do not understand the material in the time given don't do well.

I've taken plenty of classes where I didn't understand the material at the time, but given another few weeks, I did. In fact, this happened to me in Anatomy this semester. I didn't grasp our section on sensation pathways before the exam and didn't do very well on it. When studying for the final, I realized things about it that I didn't get at the time, and I think we would all agree it would be unfair for me to ask the professor to retake the exam on sensation because I understood it better now.

If you have a learning disability, had an illness or death in the family, or were ill yourself, definitely talk to an office that deals with student services and advocacy. Otherwise, I think your prof is going to give the same answers as above.

Sorry to be harsh, but next time, you will have a leg up on the material. Chin up, you can do this. As I've learned from this board, nurses are some of the most determined people in the world who don't let setbacks, large or small, get in their way, and you're going to be one of them. Best of luck.

nursinghopeful1111 · Dec 26, 2010

I would just retake the class...it looks better that way than asking for special favors.

Its not fun failing a class..I failed a science class and I decided to just retake it and study my butt off...it worked because I got an A.

Hang in there..take it again next semester. Get some study guides or a tutor...make it your only class IF you can.

cookie91 · Dec 26, 2010

Thanks nursing hopeful I will do that. :)

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 27, 2010

Cookie,

When you retake the course, double-check your school’s policy about retaking courses. Some schools automatically take the failing grade out of your overall GPA calculation. Others require you to fill out a form requesting the Records office to do it prior to the start of the course. Either way, the failing grade, after retaking the course and passing it, will not affect your overall GPA.

Good Luck.

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2010

The only circumstances where I could see asking for a grade change is if you found a mistake on the final exam. We always have a question or two thrown out because of inaccuracies. If you couldn't grasp the material, maybe it was too difficult a class to begin with and you need find a more remedial course to get a foundation for anatomy. Or, maybe you can just take the class again and get help as needed. Some of us just need to see the material several times to understand it.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2010

I'm sorry, there is no head of the biology department or instructor that is going to change the grade you earned. You have to have a good reason to appeal your grade (misgraded papers or tests, unfair treatment, etc.). Even if you have a learning disability, you can't get accommodations retroactively. You have to have a recent, documented disorder and approval from special populations to get extra help and you have to notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester.

You didn't grasp the concepts. Did you honestly put enough effort into it? Get tutoring in the student center, spend extra time in the lab, make flash cards, study endless hours outside the classroom? A&P is not an easy class... one needs to give it a LOT of time outside the classroom to succeed.

I struggled through General Biology. I spent all my free time studying and still had a difficult time grasping the concepts.. however.. that hard work still got me a C+. I am not happy with that grade either.. but it's what I earned.

I had a friend I met in Bio 2 who bombed the first exam and wasn't 'getting' any of it. She freaked and walked out on the first lab exam. We formed study time together, met every Saturday for open lab, and worked our behinds off and she was able to pull a B at the end of it all. (me too)

I guess the point I'm trying to make is even if it's hard, the more work you put into it the better your grade is. An "F" is an indicator you didn't put what you should have into the class. I know this from experience as I got an F in college algebra and I can honestly say that after failing the first test I really just gave up and didn't put nearly what I should have into it.

As you continue with your education, you need to figure out how bad you want it, how much work you're willing to give it, and do it. I also highly suggest you take an intro bio course before retaking A&P. It helps give you a base to start from.

allnurses Guide · Dec 27, 2010

I am honestly trying to figure out the mindset that says if you don't get the grade you want and, by your own admission, didn't work for that grade, that you should just simply get a pat on the head and a do-over. Should those who wanted an A but only earned a C or a B get to retake that exam too? Nobody is entitled to certain grades or study time. I am glad you see you just need to suck it up and retake the class.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Dec 27, 2010

Hi everyone. i am about to make a bold move and ask the director of the biology department that i need a change of grade for my anatomy course. i also have to ask my professor if he would allow me as well. i am pretty sure i am getting an F. i posted another thread about this situation. I am very upset and i need advice. i want to convinve my professor to allow me to retake his final. i have no excuse but that it was difficult when i took the class to grasp all that information. I dont know how to convince him and i will do anything so i can get that big fat F turned away. should i do this? i wont see him until next semester should i email him? should i speak with the director first? if you have any helpful advice i would really appreciate it. Thank you

I don't exactly understand why, but the use of the word "need" irks me...perhaps the younger generation feels a sense of entitlement...as in, "I didn't earn the grade I wanted, so I may as well ask for it". :confused:

K nurse-one-day · Dec 27, 2010

I don't exactly understand why, but the use of the word "need" irks me...perhaps the younger generation feels a sense of entitlement...as in, "I didn't earn the grade I wanted, so I may as well ask for it".

Younger generation my foot. Im 24 and I would never stoop so low as to ask for a grade I didnt earn