Do you guys remember my cheater from last semester?
Well, here is another flavor variety of annoyance.
Background info: On Thursday, after the final, this girl comes back into class to ask if it's possible, given her test scores, to get an A. I do the math, and frankly tell her, that even with a perfect final score, she will land squarely in the B range. She left. The next day, I revceive this email:
Dear XXX,
Hi, I already asked you on Thursday, but I am asking again. I got a 85 on the first test because I missed two of the which is correct questions... I think if they were worth less, I think I could get an A in the class. But I didn't miss any questions on the essay or rest of the test. I bombed the second test because I was sick and so much was on the test. Plus I am not much of a memorizer - there were so much to memorize on the second test. I bombed the fill in questions. I think I did pretty OK on the final... Can you look over a few missed points?
Sincerely,
(aside from name omission, copied verbatim) (would you even respond?)
Posts: 127 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 04, 2005
I've dealt with similar issues as a TA; I'm amazed at the students who will ask you if an A is possible for them - students who have failed pretty much everything, or who didn't turn in the their work on time or at all.
That letter is just a bunch of excuses. She got things wrong, she has to deal with it, bad memory or not. If you do it for her, you'd have to do it for everyone.
I would respond and tell her that there's really nothing you can do at this point.
Posts: 757 | Location: New York | Registered: January 09, 2005
Just respond and tell her that what you told her originally still stands as the course of action that will be taken. It's her fault that she bombed her second test, and memorization doesn't generally get you anywhere anyways which makes that a really poor excuse for one thing. She pretty much backed herself into a corner with that one, as understanding concepts is the only way to go. There were steps she could have taken to keep up with the class despite the fact that she was sick. It also would be an entirely different situation if she came to you right after the bad test and asked for ideas on how to improve her grade. Since she didn't do that earlier in the term and it's obviously too late now, she's out of luck.
People in my classes do this all the time, and since they're so big the prof. just doesn't care. I feel bad for the lab TAs as they have to put up with the majority of it. This is coming from someone who's considering teaching as a career...ha.
Posts: 50 | Location: Montana | Registered: January 10, 2005
I agree with Lizzy. My husband is also a teacher at a technical university and he hears all the stories. He even sees the same student come back the next term and still comes in late, etc. I would stand firm. It will make you feel better that you weren't a softy and you did spell things out with her.
Talk to her about pap smears. Let her know that you don't always get an A when you get pap smeared either.
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A battle to find one's self is darker than any war fought by man's self-indulgence. Creation is endless upon inevibility, but the greatest memories are lost inside a scene unbound by time.
Posts: 164 | Location: West Sunset | Registered: February 10, 2005
tell her that in the real world she will not be able to make excuses for shoddy work. if she doesn't like that tell her to try waitressing or some other such job.
------------------------------------ maybe I'll become a playboy hang around in gay bars and move to the west side of town
do you ever give students a few extra points? if not, just tell her that.. i wouldnt respond to the email though.. if she knows shes not good at memorization then she should try another technique.. maybe learning the material would help. do you give any extra credit options? if so, has she taken advantage of it? shit happens to a lot of students, and if she's not a borderline A i wouldnt give it to her.
.. ... .. . . . ..... .. . ...
Roses in a vase of white Bloodied by the thorns beside the leaves That fall because my hand is Pulling them hard as I can
well, I wasn't literally looking for advice, since I decided pretty much immediately not to justify the validity of such an email by responding to it, especially when the question was a repeat question, and one that is a blatant case of BEGGING. can you imagine allowing, encouraging, and responding to emails like that from every student? so, no, encouraging them is not a good idea. and yes, I even had a kiss-ass try to walk me to my car after the finals, reminding me of his name as I pulled myself away. I likened him, in some vague mode of sarcasm, to a rug salesman.
so, for those who posted stupidity, keep it comin'.
Posts: 127 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 04, 2005
quote:Originally posted by Ravens: Do you guys remember my cheater from last semester?
Well, here is another flavor variety of annoyance.
_Background info_: On Thursday, after the final, this girl comes back into class to ask if it's possible, given her test scores, to get an A. I do the math, and frankly tell her, that even with a perfect final score, she will land squarely in the B range. She left. The next day, I revceive this email:
_Dear XXX,
Hi, I already asked you on Thursday, but I am asking again. I got a 85 on the first test because I missed two of the which is correct questions... I think if they were worth less, I think I could get an A in the class. But I didn't miss any questions on the essay or rest of the test. I bombed the second test because I was sick and so much was on the test. Plus I am not much of a memorizer - there were so much to memorize on the second test. I bombed the fill in questions. I think I did pretty OK on the final... Can you look over a few missed points?
Sincerely, _
(aside from name omission, copied verbatim) (would you even respond?)
One of the greatest quotes of all time! =>"bipolarbear3, shut up. lovemachine97, shut up. leavin, shut up. CornellFace, shut your fucking trap. Just shut up. Shut. up. Shut up. God dammit, shut up. You nasty bastards." - Moderator Rob
Posts: 808 | Location: Jersey | Registered: January 07, 2005
quote:Originally posted by Ravens: Elephant Boy, make me laugh, damn it.
well, I wasn't literally looking for advice, since I decided pretty much immediately not to justify the validity of such an email by responding to it, especially when the question was a repeat question, and one that is a blatant case of BEGGING. can you imagine allowing, encouraging, and responding to emails like that from every student? so, no, encouraging them is not a good idea. and yes, I even had a kiss-ass try to walk me to my car after the finals, reminding me of his name as I pulled myself away. I likened him, in some vague mode of sarcasm, to a rug salesman.
hahaha...did he use a lot of Binaca and wear a silk shirt?
I told you you needed a bouncer for your classes. I'll go halfsies on the velvet rope if you supply the shirt 2 sizes too small.
This is exactly why I could never be a college professor. I grew up hearing my dad tell these stories. I just don't get it. If you didn't earn the grade, accept it. Salvage some dignity, walk away with your B, and next time you're sick, don't take the test. Call the prof and reschedule.
You're a brave woman Ravens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some people like to make life a little tougher than it is.
Posts: 364 | Location: The Island of Misfit Toys | Registered: January 05, 2005
-Regarding board: Yes, very little action makes Homer something, something.... -Regarding Invisible Text: Thank you for saying that as I thought I was fucking imagining things! -Regarding retarded school girls looking for an easy A: Ravens, just think if you were a male professor. She'd be scraping her knees for that A for sure!
-------------------------- "So you see, by applying the basic principles of the scientific method to the matter, we learn very quickly that the myth of the chupacabra is just that - utter crap. Now, if you apply the same principles to Catholicism, an interesting thing occurs..."
Posts: 537 | Location: 53° 20' N by 6° 15' W | Registered: February 04, 2005
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