So annoying when students ask your grade

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2006

I understand it's just human nature for people to be curious about each other.

I don't feel it's "rubbing it in their face" if I made a good grade and I'm asked how I did and I give an honest answer.

I also understand that someone who is asking me sometimes is just bursting at the lips to say they made a good grade because they are happy and proud. That's not rubbing in my face either.

People aren't going through all the stess and hours of studying for a test, only to keep quiet and move on to the next thing. Sometimes there's PSTD :) It's an experience to be shared and talked about. Human nature.

CrazyPremed, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 28, 2006

If you guys think this is bad with prenursing students, wait until you have class with a bunch of premedical students. The worst part is, sometimes your test grades are the only thing that you have in common with your classmates. "How did you do on the last test?" becomes more of a habitual icebreaker than an actual inquiry.

I broke my habit of this by asking people what they thought of the last test. This way, I make it clear that I'm not interested in their score. A person could have done bad on a test but still thought it was fair, or done well on a test and communicate this without bragging. This question seems to show more interest in the person than in their test score (which is my actual goal). The next time someone asks you how you did, say, "I did OK. What did you think of the test?" See if this helps.

CrazyPremed

destiny5 · Oct 28, 2006

I understand it's just human nature for people to be curious about each other.
I don't feel it's "rubbing it in their face" if I made a good grade and I'm asked how I did and I give an honest answer.
I also understand that someone who is asking me sometimes is just bursting at the lips to say they made a good grade because they are happy and proud. That's not rubbing in my face either.
People aren't going through all the stess and hours of studying for a test, only to keep quiet and move on to the next thing. Sometimes there's PSTD :) It's an experience to be shared and talked about. Human nature.

There are times when people share grades to help eachother, or because they are excited & there are also times when they share to rub your nose in it and to let you know that they are head and shoulders above the rest. (even if it is only in their minds). I believe these are the people that the poster is referring to & yes** they are out there.

moongirl · Oct 28, 2006

I have found that the ones who ask that are truly your friends ask because they are concerned and hope you did well. there is a girl that sits by me who is in danger of failing. i ask her so that I can celebrate her good grade, or give her a hug, and an " its okay" if she tanks it.

You can always tell the ones who are just 'fishing" cuz they never talk to you cept to ask your grade. Then, I just answer " excellent" and smile.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2006

There are times when people share grades to help eachother, or because they are excited & there are also times when they share to rub your nose in it and to let you know that they are head and shoulders above the rest. (even if it is only in their minds). I believe these are the people that the poster is referring to & yes** they are out there.

Also, there are the opposites. Those who are so bitter at their own low grades, especially those who have worked hard, that they presume that anyone who made a better grade is "holier than thou". It makes them feel better to bring another down.

However, I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Most people who make a good grade seriously are just so happy about, it spills out with pride.

But I agree, there are those who think they are superior and deliberately rub their grades in people's faces.

But most of us straight A students have been burned by others, we keep it ourselves, or like was said in another thread, down play it with a "I passed", or "I did o.k." when indeed we made a 100.

There are all kinds.

raebabelvn, LVN · Oct 28, 2006

I share my grades with those who sit around me. I figure that we're all in this together, so if one of us is struggling, then the rest can surround them and help them through. There is this one girl who sits up front that announces her A's to the entire class. Its kinda irritating. Mostly because not everyone is doing well, and not everyone will pass. So I think its kind of rude and inconsiderate of this girl to be doing that. All in all, sharing grades can be a good thing if it isn't used to make other students feel bad.

GAA30 · Oct 28, 2006

I am one of those people who don't ask and i'd rather not be asked. It got to the point in my pre nursing classes no one asked, except the girl who sat beside me. They knew I made an A and she was always trying to compete . She was however, no competition. Now I am in Nursing school and have made my first set of B's. People ask your grades and they don't want to share theirs. I made an open announcement to my peers that I do not discuss my grades. If you see me still in the class you know I am doing well. We are required to make 70's on all test to stay in the program. I believe it's rude. Asking someone what they made on a test is the same as asking someone how much they make on their jobs. It's rude.

I concur with commuter. Who cares? In Nursing, skills are everything!!! I'd rather the nurse who inserted a foley well versus the Nurse who made an A and couldn't remember how to.

destiny5 · Oct 29, 2006

Also, there are the opposites. Those who are so bitter at their own low grades, especially those who have worked hard, that they presume that anyone who made a better grade is "holier than thou". It makes them feel better to bring another down.
However, I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Most people who make a good grade seriously are just so happy about, it spills out with pride.
But I agree, there are those who think they are superior and deliberately rub their grades in people's faces.
But most of us straight A students have been burned by others, we keep it ourselves, or like was said in another thread, down play it with a "I passed", or "I did o.k." when indeed we made a 100.
There are all kinds.

Agreed. There are all kinds. Where I'm from though, I'll say that there is a (small club) of snobby overachievers. I know because I could have been in it-- since my GPA is 3.5 (Honor graduate & prior to nursing school it was a 4.0) I also ranked #10 out of the over 400 people who applied to my college. Took the TEAS test for the transition to RN program and averaged 90% even with a 75 in science, so I know a little bit about good grades. With the exception of Pharmacology which I along with 25 out of 30 others ended up having to retake- I consider myself--VERY BRIGHT. I've never had a problem with being burned by others as far as sharing grades are concerned because #1 When I help people I help because I want to-- Not because I expect anything back. I'm not concerned about them doing better than me or the idea that they might be "skating" because I'm doing most of the work. I do the work for me & I share with others because I know the commitment it takes to not only get into nursing school but to get out. So believe me when I say I am not one of those bitter underachieving throw the curve type people--Exactly the opposite---That's why it's so easy for me to spot a superior--Holier than thou type person---without any underachieving bias.

firstyearstudent · Oct 29, 2006

I agree with Destiny. Different people have different strategies for getting through nursing school. I am a total grunt and 4.0 student yet I'm pals with those who are just scraping by (some of whom are content be C students). I sometimes study with them. I don't care when other students "skate" by and I'll do anything to help anybody as long as it doesn't put me out too much or take too much time.

For instance, if I went through the effort of taping and transcribing the lecture, I'd pass it out to anyone who asked for it. I'd figure I already did the work, why not help other people with almost no effort on my part (emailing a document).

I have seen failing students desperate for help to pass (and helped when I could) but never would I interpret that as laziness or wanting someone else to do all the work. Some of the poorer students just don't know what they're doing in terms of time management and study skills.

I guess some people just can't succeed unless others are failing...

Our class is really extraordinarily cohesive. There aren't any cliques and everyone basically respects each other, no matter whether they are A, B, or C students.

WindyhillBSN · Oct 29, 2006

Ahh its soo annoying to me when other students ask me my grade. I don't go up too people and ask them their grade.. especially if I did good because its just like rubbing it in their face and I'm like yeah I got a 90, how'd you do? Oh a 72? Well geez better luck next time! That is just soo rude! I've been on both ends though too.... I've had people ask me how I've done and I've failed so i tell them and they say they passed which makes me feel like crap. Then I've gotten a really good grade on a test and people have asked me and I tell them then it makes me feel like I'm bragging. I think its a competition with a lot of people and its really annoying.
I talked to my best friend last semester about grades a lot and she ended up failing by only a few points and I passed iwth a B. My grades were always better than hers and it made me feel like **** to know that I passed and she didn't. It made me feel liek i was bragging to her when i asked her grades or whatever. So after that ... i just stopped asking people grades. If someone asks me my grade I might ask them what their grade is as well but I don't usually go up too people and ask their grades randomly.

I know, me too. I never say and I can tell it burns some people up!!