cab67
cab67's Journalgrades are in - further advice for college students.
I submitted the grades for my course just now. My semester is officially over.
Only it isn't. I will, no doubt, spend several days fielding questions from students. All of my friends in higher education are fielding the very same questions. So let me assist by answering them.
"How far was I from the next highest grade?" Not close enough. Otherwise, you'd have gotten the next highest grade.
"Can I come in to discuss some homework assignments, quizzes, and exams from earlier in the semester?" When I'm back in town, yes. But please bear in mind - nickel-and-diming for points after grades have been submitted rarely, if ever, results in an improved letter grade. The number of points awarded back to you won't be enough to push you over the threshold.
"What can I do to get a higher grade?" The time to ask that question is before you take the final exam - not after.
I actually get it. You might need a certain GPA to remain eligible for financial support, or you might be applying for an MBA program, medical school, graduate school, or whatnot. I don't WANT to give you a low grade. But I have to treat everyone the same. So do my colleagues.
And please, for the love of whatever deity or deities may or may not exist - don't beg. It only makes you look pathetic.
On the other hand -
"I think you got some of the math wrong. Can you double-check the scores entered for me?" Absolutely! Data entry errors happen. We're as error-prone as any other human being. I'm way more than willing to make corrections as needed.
But it helps if you kept whatever was given back to you. I might take you at your word that I entered an exam score incorrectly, or I might not. (I'm generally inclined to do that, but I've got colleagues who are far less trusting.). But I'll certainly make the correction if you can show me the exam itself.
I'm also willing to make sure your final exam was scored correctly. I'm less happy to do this for midterms and quizzes taken weeks ago, but I'll usually relent and take a look. But as with the nickel-and-dime negotiations in which we're often asked to take part, don't expect anything to change. It does happen, but not very often.
I would imagine most of you don't need this advice, but I put it out here in case any of you do.
for whatever reason, I'm watching the original version of Red Dawn.
I thought it was rediculous - fun, but rediculous - when I saw it in the theater when it came out.
Try watching it now, in light of Russia's performance in Ukraine. It's even more rediculous.
about that comment I posted last Thursday.
I commented about an event sponsored by the Young Americans for Freedom that happened in my department's building.
Upon reflection, I shouldn't have used disparaging language against students at my own institution. I regret that.
(Not saying I like what the organization stands for - only that I crossed a line when I spoke about the members themselves. I've got an ethical duty to avoid doing that.)
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Member since: Wed Jul 24, 2013, 01:10 PMNumber of posts: 2,992
