Ok... this isn't a "womyn's forum issue" but I find you chicas to be so nice, it makes me want to post here all the time. Where else is there such a large, diverse group of smart womyn? But if this is sort of in the wrong place, my apologies. Anyway... I'm having a horrible morning so far. I woke up feeling like garbage, and I have a 9 am class that I really don't feel like going to. But I know, skipping class is bad. I'm reasonably sure I'm going. Anyway, I just checked my university's online grade thing, and it turns out that I apparently failed my midterm in my sociology class. It's a second year class, I'm a fourth year sociology major, yet somehow I failed??? I feel like shit right now. I mean, maybe it's a mistake... or at least that's what I like to tell myself. I just don't even see how this is possible. I studied my ass off for this exam. Plus, I'm attempting to graduate this year, and if I keep failing stuff that isn't going to happen. This midterm is worth 15% of my final grade. 15%!!! I feel so completely stupid right now, and really, really sad. Really sad. It's not like I didn't study, and then just went in and wrote it. If I had done that, then I wouldn't be so sad or surprised. But I worked really hard... If I go to class (it's the class that I had the midterm for) I'll probably get it back and see what actually happened... but part of me wants to go to the prof's office hours this afternoon and get it back then, and talk to her about it. But if I did that, I'd probably cry. I hate crying in profs' offices.... but it's been known to happen. At any rate, I feel like poo now, and feel very stupid and sad. And I thought I would come here and vent it out, because you people are so darn wonderful and supportive. Anyway that's the end of my rant, thanks!
I am so sorry. I am having a similar time, but I am not in college. I think maybe the weather is partly to blame, as well as the looming Christmas season. College is hard! My dd just dropped a class due to similar pressures. I wish I could help. All I can do is empathize. Blessings to you. Maggie
Thanks Maggie... it's nice to know people understand. I'm sorry you're feeling sad too... but hey we can be sad together if you like It's better than being sad alone...
It's my experience that prof.s pay attention a lot more to a person when they go to class regularly. If you go to your class THEN talk to her about your exam, she will be more understanding when you tell her that you worked really hard on it. If you don't show up, she might assume that you are slacking and are just trying to talk your way out of a failing grade. Maybe she will give you some extra work to help make-up for the bad grade. I know what you mean about crying. I am a crier, but I seriously cannot help it. I HATE looking like a blubbering baby...I went to the bank a few weeks ago because I had deposited a check from my ex (child support) and it bounced...in turn, like 6 or seven of MY checks bounced. I cried in the bank manager's office! I got the overdraft fees removed, though! Good luck, girl. After class, treat yourself to something special.
You are definitely not stupid hon. Anyone can see that. Do what sugrmag said and have a talk with your professor, she had some really good advice. I am sure that you can turn things around for the best. Good luck vibes and lots of hugs...
Oh, and don't feel bad about the crying. I swear I could have drowned the entire population with all of the tears I've cried. LMAO
Well I went to class and got the exam back. It was brutal, and I think it was marked really unfairly. So, even though I didn't want to, I spoke up about how I felt it had been marked, and to my surprise, other members of our class supported my comments. Apparently, pretty much the entire class failed. Ouch! So the prof decided to make some intense changes to her plans for the final, which is good news. It doesn't help me much right now, since I still flunked the exam, but knowing I'm not alone makes me feel a little less stupid. Thanks for all the warm fuzzies, ladies I'm determined to work even harder, and really turn this around
Hey, it's only 15%! Some of my midterms are 30 or 40% But yeah, I've been missign school a lot lately. My mom has suggested that I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, amusing acronym), which tanning for like, 5-10 minutes a week can apparently really help with. I get depressed every winter, it's just early this year because we barely had a summer. Anywho, it might be a diagnosable somethign with ya. I hate those exams that are so dependent on what the prof/marking TA thinks, rather than a right/wrong answer scheme (such as multiple choice, or a math exam)
So, I'm assuming you spoke up in class, since your comments were supported by classmates? May I suggest that you go to the prof's office hours to talk one-on-one & find out if there is any way to get some of those points back? Frankly, if she is going to change the final because of the feedback she has gotten, then she realizes there are problems with it. I have known a few profs who will work with you if you go talk to them, even when there are no problems with the test itself -- like, if you bomb an essay question because you misunderstood what they were asking for or because you did not realize the level of detail they wanted, they will let you rewrite it to get a certain portion of the points back. However, they don't announce this to the whole class, because they are only going to offer it to those who show the initiative to actually come to their office to discuss the test. So, if she realizes the problems with the test, she may be more likely to work something out with you.
I would try my best to make myself go to the professor, even if I know I'm going to cry, which I typically do when I talk to my professors, even after you have figured out what you did wrong, I would go, explain to him/her how you felt about your grade and how prepared you thought you were and they will probably do something to help you pull that grade up. My professors say they are happy to help students out if they come and talk to them...good luck and cheer up, I know how you feel but you gotta keep going...
Thanks everyone, I think I'll take advantage of her office hours (not until next Tuesday) and go talk to her. I'm really concerned because I'm trying to graduate this year, and if I don't get a minimum of 60% in all of my classes this year, I won't. Whether my prof lets me do something to fix it or not (I kind of doubt she would, but you never know) I think I'd probably feel better going to talk to her, let her know that I'm trying to graduate and that I'm already working my ass off. You never know!
definitely go and talk to her and ask her what she was looking for on this past exam(even if she goofed and gave too hard of an exam)...like most things, half the challenge is finding out what the professor wants..so get a feel for what she's looking for
hi super grrl, i am in a similar situation at the minute, but not. my work is suffering. i have mental health issues and am goimng through a rough patch at the minute. i am in second year and kept my problems away form my tutors, which was a mistake. when i did tell them they were so understanding and concerned. i hate asking for help, but sometimes you have to. i am pleased i did. if you don't let your lecturers know you have a problem there is no other way they are going to find out. university isn't school - you are not a kid adn sometimes lecturers get it wrong too. if you ever need to talk you are more than welcome to pm me. i hope things have picked up for you, take care, peace morna
