Thank you note--too much?

[missk88]

Hi everybody!

I just want your opinion on something. I'm on the east coast and as I'm sure you all know, we were hit by hurricane sandy. I went home to help out my parents during the storm (my dad has some personal problems and he gets really anxious when anything out of the "ordinary" happens.. long story, won't get into it now). I had my exam today and when I checked the commuter rail website it said that it should be running close to schedule. I left well before my exam, but was still late because another tree ended up falling on the tracks! I emailed my teacher asking her if I could take my pharm exam even if I was late. I honestly thought she'd say no, because she's pretty strict, but luckily she actually told me I could!! For some reason she couldn't have me take it later today (I think she was teaching other classes) but she is letting me take it tomorrow. I think it is really kind she is letting me take the exam a day late because she could have very easily said no. I want to write her a thank you card, but I am wondering, is that too much? I do genuinely appreciate her letting me take the exam late. I did thank her in an email but I feel like it deserves a thank you card. I just don't want her to think I'm some obnoxious brown noser. What do you guys think? Thank you card or no thank you card?

[NICU:)]

I would say yes. A thank you card isn't always a way of brown nosing. Since she is a strict teacher and bigger events than a Pharm test are happening in your life, I would believe she is being empathetic. I would thank her and this may stick out in her mind when you are asking for letters of recommendation?

[hodgieRN]

Yes! Do it ! I think it's nice!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Whether for this or for any other reason to thank someone, remember: An email is deleted and forgotten. A handwritten card is kept in the drawer, taped up on the mirror, magnet-attached to the refrigerator door, thumb-tacked to the board...and reminds the recipient every day of your thoughtfulness. Miss Manners says, "Plain note card with your initials, blue-black ink."

[AnAppleGirl]

I don't think it is too much. A card shows that you really appreciate their willingness to understand and it shows that you are not taking it for granted.

I had a similar situation happen to me. I had a dump truck load of family emergencies and medical issues fall on me one semester. I wrote down the wrong date for my A&P final and completely missed it. For some reason I had it on my calendar for the day after. My instructor had very strict policies for exams, but I called her and explained my situation. She let me take it, and even gave me a window of a couple days to choose from. I definitely felt in that situation my instructor deserved a nice handwritten note for her compassion!

Go for it! Your thanks will be appreciated!

[mkatts19]

I say yes as well but if you're worried about how you might feel or your instructor... then you can always wait until the end of the quarter. I get what you mean about possibly feeling like a suck-up or brown noser but honestly your personality is what proves whether you are one or not. I'm pretty sure the teacher will know right away whether you are one or not lol.. and most of the time those types of people reveal themselves early in the quarter! If anything, especially if you're shy like I am, you can always give them a note but just put your initials or sign it "an ever so grateful student" something like that. 1. You're not giving away directly who you are... 2. Helps you if you're shy/worried about what they might think though it's a nice gesture and 3. They're obviously going to know who you are anyway :) either through initials or remembering the 1 person they extended that deadline for! Either, way, the answer is yes.. the question of how and when is the topic :).

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

a thank you note is a nice gesture. Do it now

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

I agree with MKatt, wait until after, but yes give her a thank you card. I cannot tell you how often I have been told, oh stay away from that professor, because of such and such...and you know, at the end of the day, my experience often is far different from those who told me those things. This professor who is so tough and "strict" does have a heart, does she not? These are special circumstances, and she is acting based on this. She deserves a written thank you.

Best wishes to you and your family. I live in South Florida, we are used to hurricanes, so we are used to the readiness and preparation of these type of storms, we were lucky on this one, but I am so sad it hit places not accustomed to getting ready.

[StudentNurseKitteh]

I was raised that thank-you cards are always appropriate! yes! Something simple and professional. "Thank you for your kindness and flexibility in this time of crisis. It is much appreciated and will always be remembered."

[missk88]

Thanks guys!!! I ended up leaving a nice simple thank you card in her mailbox. I'm pretty sure she received it well, a few days she saw me on campus and was really friendly and nice at least! I decided to just give it to her now, because knowing me, by the end of the semester I will be so caught up in studying for finals that I'd probably forget to drop the thank you card off in her mailbox, hehe.