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[fiona]

Just wanted to report it. Snowflake who got a D wants a B, because she attended all the classes, did all the assignments, etc.

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes, did not turn in the minimum number of required papers and did no class participation, so was already down to 65% when she got a D on her final. She was lucky to pass.

I e-mailed her with that info, along with a suggestion that she check the syllabus.

This was boring. If others are accosted by grade grubbers, I hope yours are more outrageous or colorful.

The Fiona

[odessa]

This was boring. If others are accosted by grade grubbers, I hope yours are more outrageous or colorful.

The Fiona

In these situations, Fiona, I like boring!

I've had a few proactive students attempt a pre-emptive strike, but I've already shut them down - I think.  We'll see if my pointing to the facts in these cases prevents whining if they get the final grades they are fearing.  (I'm guessing if I have trouble this term, it will be a couple of B students wanting A's, rather than F's wanting D's or C's.  At least that's the vibe I'm getting.)

[mended_drum]

I have a preemptive one, a C student who desperately wants a B+, but has almost no chance of getting one.  His inability to meet a deadline is apparently "just a personal weakness that doesn't have anything to do with the class."  Uh-huh.

[proftowanda]

I have a preemptive one, a C student who desperately wants a B+, but has almost no chance of getting one.  His inability to meet a deadline is apparently "just a personal weakness that doesn't have anything to do with the class."  Uh-huh.

Okay, we're warming up here with that line -- love that! a "personal weakness," so how dare you judge him for something that has nothing to do with the course, other than doing the work, making it to class, meeting the deadlines, etc. -- after The Fiona's rather boring start.  But I also am expecting better from the forumites!

[burnie]

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes

It always surprises me when they think we don't notice that they leave early.  Was she floored by this nugget of information?

[fiona]

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes

It always surprises me when they think we don't notice that they leave early.  Was she floored by this nugget of information?

So far she hasn't responded and probably won't. I assume she's writhing in self-loathing, of course.

The Fiona

[slac_vap]

I've fielded two preemptive strikes so far.  Both students assured me they would do "absolutely anything" to bring up their grades.  Apparently, however, "absolutely anything" doesn't include coming to the optional review session that I held.  As is typical, the only students who bothered to come to that were the students who didn't really need to.

[prof_cj]

As is typical, the only students who bothered to come to that were the students who didn't really need to.

C'est la vie, it seems. So far the only one who've talked to me worrying about grades are students in the A to B range in all assignments, solid attendance and in-class participation, and chock-full of responsibility.

[much_metta]

Just wanted to report it. Snowflake who got a D wants a B, because she attended all the classes, did all the assignments, etc.

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes, did not turn in the minimum number of required papers and did no class participation, so was already down to 65% when she got a D on her final. She was lucky to pass.

I e-mailed her with that info, along with a suggestion that she check the syllabus.

This was boring. If others are accosted by grade grubbers, I hope yours are more outrageous or colorful.

The Fiona

This is exactly why I don’t post grades on finals/return the finals.  If students want to see what they earned on their final exam, they have to stop by during the first week of next semester.  Final course grades are released through the Registrar’s Office the weekend after finals.  I tell my students they have to wait till then and I don’t answer the emails/pop-ins/etc. that would enable them to grub.  I also don’t answer e-mails/voice mails/etc. over break.  It’s break—they can wait.  By the start of the next semester, so much time has gone by that most of them forget about it and hardly any ever stop by to see how they did on the final exam.  This is one of the most valuable management tips I’ve picked up from the fora and it’s saved me countless headaches!

[hiddendragon]

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes, did not turn in the minimum number of required papers and did no class participation, so was already down to 65% when she got a D on her final. She was lucky to pass.

The Fiona

This student would have definitely failed in my book.  65% and then a D for the final?  My finals are worth quite a bit so she would have failed.  You must have provided lots of mercy points to allow her to pass.  You should tell her this.

[onthefringe]

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes, did not turn in the minimum number of required papers and did no class participation, so was already down to 65% when she got a D on her final. She was lucky to pass.

The Fiona

This student would have definitely failed in my book.  65% and then a D for the final?  My finals are worth quite a bit so she would have failed.  You must have provided lots of mercy points to allow her to pass.  You should tell her this.

Here, at least, a 'D' is by definition a passing grade, so a D going into the final and a D on the final would result in a "passing" grade (ie the credits would count towards graduation).

[kiana]

Actually, Snowflake skipped out at the break for about half the classes, did not turn in the minimum number of required papers and did no class participation, so was already down to 65% when she got a D on her final. She was lucky to pass.

The Fiona

This student would have definitely failed in my book.  65% and then a D for the final?  My finals are worth quite a bit so she would have failed.  You must have provided lots of mercy points to allow her to pass.  You should tell her this.

I don't get it -- she had a D going into the final and got another D on the final. Then she got a D in the course (as stated in the paragraph prior to the one you quoted.) What's the problem?

[navelgazer]

My finals were all really early in exam period this year, which has led to extra-early grade whining.

So far I have a student who wants her exam regraded by one of my TAs. (We divided it up evenly and I got hers coincidentally.) I think her major is more, um, quantitative than what I teach. I'm about to use the same tactic that much_metta uses.

I'm also getting some "but the only thing I got off for was attendance" emails.

[lasquires]

I have a preemptive one, a C student who desperately wants a B+, but has almost no chance of getting one.  His inability to meet a deadline is apparently "just a personal weakness that doesn't have anything to do with the class."  Uh-huh.

This made iced tea go up my nose.

[blackadder]

I had this email the night before the final exam:

This semester has been a struggle for me. Everything is so different from high school and I sometimes have a hard time dealing with change. I've been extremely stressed and sad about my intro to basketweaving grade. I really do try, but I feel like I've failed. I've been studying for hours in the library with study groups and also alone. I am doing everything I possibly can to raise my grade. If I fail this class I will be extremely disappointed with myself and extremely devastated. Not only because I failed and would have to retake the class, but because I put so much time and effort to raise my grade and it did absolutely nothing. This semester has definitely opened my eyes and I have learned a lot from my mistakes. I was so upset about my grade and failing that I wanted to transfer schools. I told myself no, I need to hang in there and not give up, and that is exactly what I'm doing. So basically, if my grade is not a 77%, but close, it would literally mean the world to me if you added a few points so I can pass. I've been told that if you are on the verge of a C, but have a CD, teachers tend to do this if they know you actually tried. So that is why I wanted to send you this email. I know you may disregard it completely, but I didn't think telling you would hurt anything. Have a nice day.

Didn't participate in class, including the group discussions. Skipped 2 classes where we had simulation. Never came to office hours or asked for help on poorly written papers until the last one was due. Can't see much trying there. Not to mention I can't grade effort but only the product. I didn't respond. And, she failed the final exam.