Mad at myself

Published

I have had a 97% all through finite mathematics. My instructor scheduled 3 quizzes and 2 assignments to be due on the Friday before Labor Day. I took all of them and scored 100% (she always has all of these lengthy quizzes for this online course). I always do perfectly on my homework. She had a test due on the day after Memorial Day and I kept telling myself it was on Tuesday. Well I got my days confused because of the holiday and went to take the test on Wednesday. Of course I wasn't able to. When I realized my mistake I wrote her an email. She responded that its not her policy to extend test due dates. I don't really like her, but I don't blame her at all. The tests are weighted at 55% and now my grade is at a 68.7% :(. I have two more tests left so hopefully I can bring my grade up, but I don't think it will be an A.... Sigh* The only person I can blame is myself. It's really shocking for me to see such a low grade especially after I made it through statistics with a 98%. Thanks for listening everybody.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Could you possibly go above her head? I know its not liked, or a common practice but maybe talk to a counselor?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need to go back and re-calculate your grades, seems very strange if you had 97% average, then 5 more assignments that you got 100% on...that a zero on one test brought your grade down to 68%.

I would also go above the instructor's head. Don't be afraid to do this (it's Math, not subjective papers). I have had instructors that try to claim the hard line up front because they don't want to open the door for excuses. However, the Dean is not going to find it acceptable for an A+ student to be given a zero simply because of a holiday, that she forgot the test. Penalize you 10%, 20% even 25%...but a zero?

Uh...that is not going to be considered reasonable.

No way would I let her win without a fight.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You need to go back and re-calculate your grades, seems very strange if you had 97% average, then 5 more assignments that you got 100% on...that a zero on one test brought your grade down to 68%.

I would also go above the instructor's head. Don't be afraid to do this (it's Math, not subjective papers). I have had instructors that try to claim the hard line up front because they don't want to open the door for excuses. However, the Dean is not going to find it acceptable for an A+ student to be given a zero simply because of a holiday, that she forgot the test. Penalize you 10%, 20% even 25%...but a zero?

Uh...that is not going to be considered reasonable.

No way would I let her win without a fight.

Everything in her class is weighted differently. Also this was my second test out of 4. She is a very strange teacher, her discussion boards she uses like an email to communicate, it's hard to explain. There are things on the syllabus that are supposed to be calculated into grades that aren't showing up. I questioned her about this and I'm weighting for a response. Our grades our automatically calculated and broken down for us on the web page. I'm not sure that I'm going to go over her head. I feel that she is a very poor teacher and that she shouldn't have scheduled so many assignments around a holiday weekend. If I weren't good at math, I certainly would not be doing well in this class. I do think that it's my mistake and I don't really want to cause a stir over it. I'm just ready for this class to be over. I figure I might be able to pull a B if I do we'll on my other two tests and continue to get 100% on assignments and quizzes (did I mention that we've had 13 quizzes and this is only a an 8 week class?). Thanks for the advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

We had this happen to a student in my nursing program. She took the 0 (didn't have a choice, she wasn't there for the test and they didn't care about her excuse), but aced all her other tests. She ended up with a B because the final was worth so much more than the test she missed. I hope you are able to salvage your grade and I know it sucks, but I'm glad you are taking responsibility for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Shaking my head at all the "go over her head" comments... how 'bout "take responsibility for your own screw-ups?" (which is what the OP is saying so, good for him/her)

I totally get your frustration... it's the classic student's nightmare (right up there with realizing that you're at school sans clothing)... but in the grand scheme of things, it won't make a whit of difference in your life...

and will even provide you with a good answer to certain kinds of interview questions regarding adversity, frustration, and how you cope with failure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel for you! I had a very similar thing happen to me in my Finite Math class this past semester. There were only 4 grades. I got 90-100% on all three tests, the final was open-note and I forgot my notes on the last unit (which I was weakest in!) and I ended up getting a C on the final and a B in the class. Hopefully with your last few grades you'll be able to bring it up to a B. While your professor doesn't seem to be wanting to work with you, that's okay, things happen sometimes and we just need to charge on! Be encouraged to do your best in the remainder of the semester and don't let this one thing knock you off your path.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Shaking my head at all the "go over her head" comments... how 'bout "take responsibility for your own screw-ups?" (which is what the OP is saying so, good for him/her)

I totally get your frustration... it's the classic student's nightmare (right up there with realizing that you're at school sans clothing)... but in the grand scheme of things, it won't make a whit of difference in your life...

and will even provide you with a good answer to certain kinds of interview questions regarding adversity, frustration, and how you cope with failure.

How about compassion and understanding that is lacking among humans...some people do this just fine on their own, some people are so dense that they need to have it crammed down their throat. The instructor falls in the later category.

I don't agree with the OP that the assignments should have been "lighter" around a holiday weekend...school is school and if you are in, you need to be prepared to do the work...that isn't going to win the OP any arguments with anyone.

However, I have a total of three college degrees..I have NEVER taken a single class where even if it was on the syllabus "Late assignments are not accepted"..if the student was diligent and something went wrong (nobody is perfect, not you...not me...nor the instructor), allowances were always made.

Should the OP be able to take the test again with no penalty? Absolutely not. She isn't suggesting she should be allowed to either.

However, a zero doesn't fit the crime and is ridiculous. I can easily see where someone would have it in their "head" that a Monday was a Sunday because there was no school and accidentally forget the test.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's rough. You're being super mature about it.. I'd at least beg for an extra credit opportunity or something to make up for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's rough. You're being super mature about it.. I'd at least beg for an extra credit opportunity or something to make up for it.

Thanks:). There is an optional survey that we do where I go to school, and most of my instructors give extra credit for completion. However, this instructor does not. In fact it's included in the syllabus as mandatory and she will doc points off your grade if its not completed. This is one of the issues I have with this teacher. This is an optional survey..... For students to have input on their classes, instructors, and school in general. I'll complete it of course, but through gritted teeth lol. Just like Dr's can get a "God complex" I think some instructors can too. It was my mistake, I'm human. I'm just going to do the best that I can and learn from it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I feel for you! I had a very similar thing happen to me in my Finite Math class this past semester. There were only 4 grades. I got 90-100% on all three tests the final was open-note and I forgot my notes on the last unit (which I was weakest in!) and I ended up getting a C on the final and a B in the class. Hopefully with your last few grades you'll be able to bring it up to a B. While your professor doesn't seem to be wanting to work with you, that's okay, things happen sometimes and we just need to charge on! Be encouraged to do your best in the remainder of the semester and don't let this one thing knock you off your path.[/quote']

Thanks for the kind words!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Shaking my head at all the "go over her head" comments... how 'bout "take responsibility for your own screw-ups?" (which is what the OP is saying so, good for him/her)

I totally get your frustration... it's the classic student's nightmare (right up there with realizing that you're at school sans clothing)... but in the grand scheme of things, it won't make a whit of difference in your life...

and will even provide you with a good answer to certain kinds of interview questions regarding adversity, frustration, and how you cope with failure.

Thank you! You really have me a great perspective on this situation. It's not the end of the world and there is something I can take away from it:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion