Discussing grades with classmates?

caliotter3 · Sep 29, 2007

For various reasons, while in school, I always kept my grades to myself. I was competing with no one but myself. I needed a certain average for my financial aid and as long as I met my own goals I was satisfied. I think the discussion of grades is justified if people, (preferably as part of organized study groups), go over an exam or quiz in order to insure that there were no major errors in grading or major misunderstandings about the material covered. Sometimes, when students find major boo boos, the instructor will change the curve by throwing out questionable test questions, and many people's grades can benefit from this.

smk1, LPN · Sep 29, 2007

All the time. There are a few who don't get involved in it, but it runs rampant. At this point it doesn't bug me to share my grades, but when I was doing pre-reqs with people I didn't know well, problems were caused by students looking over at grades on other people's papers and trying to figure out codes on the grade sheet to see who got what. If you are at all uncomfortable then you can just give a generic answer, or just say politely that you don't want to say what your grades are. Most people are mature enough not to take offense.

MistiroseRN · Sep 29, 2007

I used to share my grades with my close friends but when someone doesn't do well and they are in your group of friends it can cause hard feeling. So I dont share anymore.

krenee · Sep 29, 2007

Yes, it's been uncomfortable for me . . . I got a 98 on our first exam and I don't know anyone else who even got an A. I don't want to cause resentment . . . the truth is that people like knowing other people didn't do as well as they did, they don't want to hear it is you did a lot better. So I try to avoid saying it if at all possible. If they beat around the bush I won't tell at all, but if they ask directly I don't want to come off as a snob so I will tell them. I've found that most people have to work so I always remind them that I'm really lucky and don't have to work during the program, and I study a lot. If someone just asks "how did you do?", I say that I did well or I'm happy with my grade.

Kelly

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 29, 2007

If you're not completely comfortable sharing your grade (which I totally understand), you might want to use your communication skills and say something like ... "Why do you ask?" ... and be prepared to say something non-specific, such as "I was satisfied with my grade." or "It wasn't quite as high as I had hoped, but I did OK."

treysdaddy08 · Sep 29, 2007

I usually just answer "I did well" or, "I passed" because like other posters I don't want to seem like Im bragging if I did well. If you just leave it vague then you don't come off as snobby.

southernbelle08 · Sep 29, 2007

This is one thing that bugs the CRAP out of me! I share with my close friends, I don't mind that at all....but when someone I barely, or have never, speak to comes up and asks me....I'm kinda knowing they are probably out looking for confirmation that they did as well as they think they did. Perhaps not, but it is how it comes across when you approach someone you have never had any prior contact with and ask something such as that. I normally just smile and say that I was satisfied with my grade and they go on about their business.

vashtee, RN · Sep 29, 2007

I don't volunteer, but I don't mind sharing my grades when asked. I am usually at the upper end of the scale, and I couldn't possibly care less if people find that annoying. I study a lot more hours than a lot of my classmates do.

I don't ask about other people's grades unless they ask me first.

nurz2be · Sep 29, 2007

We recently had our first big "quiz". No one really asked anyone how they did (at least not in front of anyone else). I imagine those who are frieds with each other shared that info.
A few days ago, one girl in my class, whom I'm not chummy at all with, asked me what I got on the quiz. I wasn't 100% comfortable sharing the info. (I got 92% which was higher than the class average of 84%, so it's not that I was embarrased). I just didn't want to come accross like a "know it all" or bragging.
Mind you, she asked me. I wasn't going around announcing it to everyone. I suppose I could have said "oh, I did well, I'm happy with my grade". But I told her the percentage.
Does your class discuss grades?

I ALWAYS, even with close friends in class, say either I passed, I did better than I thought, or I need to study more next time. Even with friends you can make them nervous about how they are doing if you are exceeding class averages. Not that you shouldn't be proud of how well you are doing it is just to keep tensions down, which as you know in nursing classes is rather high. I keep in mind like in a job, never discuss your salary cause someone somewhere is not getting what you are.

Keep up the great work. Share your real grades with family and friends who are not part of the program. Maybe they will take you out for dinner to celebrate.

CONGRATS

Music in My Heart · Sep 30, 2007

I don't "share" my grades but people seem to figure it out after awhile. I don't volunteer the information but I don't try to hide it, either. If someone asks, I generally tell them. Sometimes I'll start with a general answer but will get specific if pressed.

I usually earn the top scores on tests and am generally the top student in the class. I'm pretty friendly and happy to help other people so, while I do get some comments about breaking the curve and such, it's usually pretty good natured.

The thing I dislike the most is that I'm often recruited for study groups. I do not like study groups and I do not participate in them. It's sometimes awkward to decline but I do so nicely and people usually understand.

It's also awkward when I've earned the only good score on a test. In microbiology, I had one test on which I earned a 98 while the next highest score was 87 and the average was 63. People complained to the teacher but my score made it difficult for them to claim that the test was just not fair.

I would prefer to keep grades private but I'm not willing to actively hide them or remain aloof. If people really want to know, I tell them.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 30, 2007

If you're not completely comfortable sharing your grade (which I totally understand), you might want to use your communication skills and say something like ... "Why do you ask?"

I like that suggestion!! (and I'm going to use it). I usually reply, "I passed" but this is much better... Makes them have to come up with a reason for being nosey :nono: :nono: