please!!I am devastated and I need your help!!!!!!

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I am trying to major in nursing and getting ready for transfer.

I am an international student and currently studying at University of Houston.

I took chemistry class last spring semester and got C because of poor attendance, but I had A in allthe tests and finals. I retaking the course in this fall semester and also got A in all the tests, but the professor takes daily quizzes and if somebody's late, they still get their points off, however, attendance and quizzes are 10% of the grade.

I often missed the class but since I took the class before, I knew what to study and what's coming up.

but the professor gave me "F" for prefinal grade. I know even though I get A in final, he will give me "F".

Since I am an international student, 1 F might affect my visa status and I might have to give up everything I have done till now.

I am so frustrated. I know it's my fault, but it was that freaking chemisty class and just because of the attendance my whole school life is in jeopardy.

has anyone had similiar experience? or can somebody tell me what I should do??

I just can't think . I am so depressed now.. Please help me...

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Specializes in CNA; LPN Student.

Well...why don't you just show up to class and/or be on time?

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If you get into a nursing program will you still having trouble making it to class and being there on time? I just had the orientation meeting for my school's program and we were told that deaths in the family, hospitalizations, emergencies with kids, etc. were not valid excuses for missing a class during NS.

I assume that Chemistry is a pre-req for you? Also, is it too late to withdraw from the course for this semester? If it was just a fluke and you won't have any more problems making it to class, you should drop it for now and try to re-take it one more time and I'd at least talk to my professor and try to explain about the problems with your visa status.

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Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

I guess my question to you is, why did you keep skipping the class when you knew you'd be penalized for not showing up? It already happened to you once, yet you did it again. Or if you knew there were daily quizzes and you'd miss them?

I don't mean to sound unkind.

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why don't you check with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy? They would probably be able to give you more information on it. I actually know several students who are in the U.S. on a student visa from various countries, but I've never heard of their grades affecting their visa status. Then again, do you have to turn in your transcript every time you renew your visa?.. If that's the case then I would understand why you would be worried. Like I said, I would check with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy that is based out of Houston. I know there is one there, but I forgot exactly where.

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Jackson,

Deaths in the family are not valid excuses to miss class? I find that a little unrealistic. What does it say in the school catalog? If a person is punished for missing class because his or her's mother passed away, I forsee a potential lawsuit forming....

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They only give you a certain number of hours you can miss. If you missed one day for the flu and one day d/t car wreck and then later your family member dies you might already be out of time. When my husband went through there was a girl who asked to miss d/t icy roads and was told, "no, you have to be here". She had a wreck on the way to school and missed class anyway (I'm surprised she didn't sue). She was dropped from the program. Apparently, she had used up her 'sick time' for illnesses and that was that. They told us at our meeting that it does seem harsh, but there is no way to make up lost time. You either had enough hours to graduate or you didn't. A girl I went to HS with had a baby during the program and went right back to school so she wouldn't have to repeat courses later. I haven't heard anybody from the BSN program at the other college in town say that they have these restrictions. I don't know why it'd be so different there.

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I guess my question to you is, why did you keep skipping the class when you knew you'd be penalized for not showing up? It already happened to you once, yet you did it again. Or if you knew there were daily quizzes and you'd miss them?

I don't mean to sound unkind.

Yeah, this happened to me twice my second semester of college. I got two F's for missing 6 classes even though I got A's on all the tests. All I can say is if I retook those classes (I didn't because they were stupid anyway) I surely wouldn't have made the same mistake twice. Don't know what to tell ya. Maybe apologize with a letter (a letter not an e-mail) and ask if there is some way you can make it up to pass the class.

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You have to go back and speak with your professor. Explain your situation and ask if there's anything at all you can do to make up. Remember that the only person who has the power to change your grade is your professor so be very very very nice to him/her

With regard to your visa status, I think you're fine so long as you're full time and working towards your degree and the school has not made a decision to warn or suspend you. Speak with your international student advisor and don't let this happen to you again.

All the best!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Like many other posters, I don't understand why you did not go to class. You knew what the penalty would be for missing class, yet you chose not to go. Now you have to face the consequences of your decisions.

Perhaps if you would explain why you chose not to go to class, it would help some of us understand your point of view better.

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Sorry to hear you're frustrated, but like everyone else said, you knew you would be penalized for not showing up to class, why didn't you make an effort to show up? Also, just so you know for the future, make the best effort you can to show up on class, and on time. If you absolutely can't make it to class for whatever reason, contact your instructor, and explain your situation, BUT don't make it a habit either. When you're open with your instructors and keep them in the loop, I'm sure they'll be understanding and maybe let you make up missed assignments and quizzes. This goes for community colleges, but as far as nursing school goes, I'm sure it's a more stricter policy.

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Jackson,

Deaths in the family are not valid excuses to miss class? I find that a little unrealistic. What does it say in the school catalog? If a person is punished for missing class because his or her's mother passed away, I forsee a potential lawsuit forming....

Cleopf01,

I was in nursing school back in 2005. We found out in January 2005 that my son needed to have crainal reconstruction for sagittal synostosis. The doctors wanted to do it in March 2005, so I asked my teachers about missing a week for this and was told that I would miss to much material in a week and I would be kicked out of the program at that point. We put the surgey off until May during break, but due to so many doctors appts after the surgey, I ended up not passing the summer sem. When you sign all of the papers at the start of the program one of the usually says that you are not allowed to miss more than one or two classes.

I am now trying to go back to get my LPN becasue in Georgia we can get a hope grant that will pay for the program and them I am going to go back and get my RN. All of this does not seem fair but that is how it is at most schools.

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