"Due to health problems..."

pixierose, BSN, RN · May 31, 2016

I've seen several people post on here about receiving bad test grades or even GRE scores "due to health problems." I don't understand that. Anyone else think that's BS?
I don't want to be misunderstood - I recognize that long-term health problems can affect work and school, but do people too often use this as a cop-out excuse for their lack of preparation?

Out of curiosity, why do you even care?

But since you're asking, no. I don't think it's BS. I don't like to judge, and I have no idea what it's like to walk in other people's Dansko's. This is a huge board, with people of all walks of life, across the US, across the world. What do I know of the person on the other side of the computer screen? For example, even though I knew LadyFree has PTSD, I never knew WHY and I never questioned it (((hugs, btw, LadyFree))).

So, no.

CanadianAbroad · May 31, 2016

Google the "spoon theory" for disorders like Fibromyalgia. Sometimes you have limited energy resources, and when they are depleted, you really are affected in ways you might not comprehend. Put it this way, I wrote the Hesi and got 95%. The next day I wrote the TEAS (almost

the exact same test) and got 69%; why, because I was out of spoons and didn't think what happens when my energy was depleted. Health issues were most definitely the reason why I did poorly on the second test.

Tumbler · May 31, 2016

"Health problems" like "family emergencies" may or may not be simply excuses. You never know, so it's just better to leave it alone. I had "health problems" in college, fairly significant ones. I never missed a class and graduated #1 in my cohort. Took everything I had. I am a single person with no dependents. Could I have pulled it off in other circumstances? Doubtful.

The reason your professors have standards that prevent make-ups or late tests is really about holding us all accountable. If my health problems prevent me from being an adequate nursing student (I'm always late because my meds make me sleepy, I miss a lot of class and therefore class material, I never feel good enough to study), I will probably fail, and maybe that is a good thing because as a nurse, I need to be able to show up on time and know my stuff. But if I can work through my issues, even if I'm barely skimming by sometimes, then I know I've got what it takes. So, if health problems are an excuse for bad grades, so what? (as long as the end of the semester grade is a passing one).

Erythropoiesis · Jun 1, 2016

Not sure what kind of a response you're trying to get here. What IS the purpose of this thread?

I have literally never heard any of my peers say they tested badly because of health issues. I can see how it would affect someone's ability TO prepare for the test, though. Ever had to get through finals week with untreated, undiagnosed iron deficiency anemia? You're lightheaded, dizzy, have splitting headaches. Constant, unrelenting full-body fatigue. My bones even felt tired. Forever thirsty because you're dehydrated, and you're chronically irritable and anxious due to low blood volume and a fast HR to compensate. BUT my doctor ended up catching it and I'm on iron therapy now...I got through the semester with a 4.0 and I got accepted into nursing school last Thursday, so...not sure what your post meant if not to insult people with legitimate health issues. Yes, it did affect my academic performance sometimes. There were days when I'd come home at 6, fall asleep and wake back up at 10:30 or 11pm to study or to do school work because it HAD to be done one way or the other. It was miserable but thankfully I was able to work it out. Luckily, some of them can persevere and get through it like myself but some have serious enough issues to where it really is hard to keep focused on school.