What should a student do if a majority of the class failed a test

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I have a health class where we just took a test about drugs. And more than half of the class failed. Like with 27 percent to 60 percent. I personally got a 65. But the thing is, I genuinely did not feel prepared for this test because all the teacher did was give us 6 pages of notes that we'll have to copy down each day and talk when we're copying down, so none of us can possibly hear him and jot down the note at the same time. And then, if we get distracted for a little bit, he'll threaten us with words like, "Well, I guess you guys aren't going to copy down this whole page of notes and possibly fail your test". And I really did study for the test, I wrote rewrote down almost 20 pages of notes over and over again without a study guide or anything to determine if I was studying the things I should be. Since the teacher expects us all to memorize everything he taught within 2 months.

So currently, I feel frustrated because this 65 is really not something I deserve or something anyone in my class deserves because I believe that it's not our fault that we don't even know what to study for and end up getting questions about the very little details that the teacher told us that we don't have to copy.

Damn, I ranted a lot. please keep in mind that it's the teacher's second year of teaching health.

Specializes in Mental Health.

The only material you have is the notes you get from class? There's no readings that go with it that would have the same material?

14 minutes ago, Rionoir said:

The only material you have is the notes you get from class? There's no readings that go with it that would have the same material?

There were readings, packets that the teacher gave us but never went over, thus, I thought that it wouldn't be part of the test. But I think some of the questions were on the reading.

Specializes in NICU.
11 hours ago, Nancy W said:

There were readings, packets that the teacher gave us but never went over, thus, I thought that it wouldn't be part of the test. But I think some of the questions were on the reading.

Everything is fair game for a test. Why would they give you the packet if they didn't intend for you to read it?

11 hours ago, Nancy W said:

There were readings, packets that the teacher gave us but never went over, thus, I thought that it wouldn't be part of the test.

I'm not sure how old you are but if this is your first post-high-school education experience it may come as a shock to you that adult education, including nursing school, has a significant amount of independent study that you will need to do to pass your classes. There is no way the instructor can go over everything in the time allotted in class. I mean no insult by having said that...you would be surprised at how many young students come to this site absolutely flabbergasted at the difference in educational style and having difficulty making the adjustment to it.

On 12/4/2019 at 9:27 AM, Wuzzie said:

I'm not sure how old you are but if this is your first post-high-school education experience it may come as a shock to you that adult education, including nursing school, has a significant amount of independent study that you will need to do to pass your classes. There is no way the instructor can go over everything in the time allotted in class. I mean no insult by having said that...you would be surprised at how many young students come to this site absolutely flabbergasted at the difference in educational style and having difficulty making the adjustment to it.

Yes, I'm looking back at this and does sound a little bratty to me. But it is frustrating when you find out the things on the test were things that you've never gone over before and didn't have in your notes.

The teacher is giving out another test, to try and boost up everyone's grades. I'll try harder now that I know what to expect. And maybe I'll ask the teacher for an actual study guide?

Thanks for replying though. really helped me understand life a lot. lol

Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Sometimes rewriting notes isn't enough. I like it as a study method, but it generally wasn't the only method of studying I used. Flashcards could be a good way of studying for pharmacology or you could create your own quizzes on Quizlet for a just a couple more suggestions. I'm sorry that so many of you failed your test, but it's really not that uncommon in college/nursing school and usually the teacher won't be held responsible, especially if there were a few students that did perform well. Now you know in the future that any readings or packets assigned are just as likely to show up on any tests and are there for a reason. Also, if he is going that fast through class...you may want to consider how much you are writing down. It will take time, but eventually you will learn what is/isn't necessary to write down, and that will save you time. You could always try taping the lectures if you aren't retaining the information the first time (if the teacher allows). Anyway, now that you know a little bit more what to expect...good luck on your next test!

On 12/6/2019 at 6:47 PM, Nancy W said:

The teacher is giving out another test, to try and boost up everyone's grades.

Because the teacher knows he messed up.

Be part of a new generation of students. Change needs to happen. There was a time when paying for college meant paying to be taught. Today, you're paying for your degree, that's it. That's what people tend to call a "scam."

Ultimately, true, it's your responsibility to make sure you know everything you need to know, but what tons of people seem to forget is that it's your teachers responsibility to teach it to you.

Seriously, everyone here: If you're expected to learn the majority of the material on your own, then why not just switch to online classes and just go in for labs and tests?

Not letting your patients get charged insane amounts of money for unnecessary things starts with standing up for your own money that's just being taken from you.

Specializes in Mental Health.
Specializes in Critical Care.

Your instructor isn’t there to teach you every bit of info. That’s your prerogative. Especially if you get to post grad, the vast majority is independent study.

Consider recording your lectures if you're allowed and use the recordings to fill in your notes.

Specializes in Mental Health.
20 hours ago, tonyl1234 said:

Seriously, everyone here: If you're expected to learn the majority of the material on your own, then why not just switch to online classes and just go in for labs and tests?

You should actually read/study the material before class so that you can ask questions about the parts you don’t understand in class. Does this really need to be explained?

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