Grading Hell Part 4,387
It's that time of year: right after midterms and Spring Break but just before the final withdrawal deadline. It is now that students are realizing the "oh fuck" of their shitty semesters.
I have one student--let's call him Bill--who is in danger of failing. He has claimed to have some issues with his family that have affected his academic performance. Now considering that I have been the epitome of "shit happens" lately, I'll give Bill the benefit of the doubt. It's bad enough that he has missed six classes already this semester (roughly 40% of the semester so far) without a single e-mail or comment from him regarding said absences. This is a stickler for me because I always talk about the importance of communication with me. Hell, if you put forth some effort, you'll find I'm a big softie (shhh...don't tell anyone). However, I really really hate it when students disappear and then feign family issues or some other kind of excuse, especially when it occurs over an extended period of time. I'll more likely not believe you if you do not communicate.
However, Bill decided to pull the "you're too hard" card today as well as the "I'm putting a lot of effort" one as well. First of all, welcome to college! This is what the real world is like. If your entitled ass cannot handle being challenged then you do not belong here. Second, you are not trying hard at all. I just looked over your papers again and it is clear that you are putting a half-assed effort into them. Is running spell check that difficult for you? Do you even read the instructions? He wrote "I mean I understand taking points away, but failing, why?" Seriously, your paper was HALF the required length and you wondered why you failed?
*facepalm*
I have one student--let's call him Bill--who is in danger of failing. He has claimed to have some issues with his family that have affected his academic performance. Now considering that I have been the epitome of "shit happens" lately, I'll give Bill the benefit of the doubt. It's bad enough that he has missed six classes already this semester (roughly 40% of the semester so far) without a single e-mail or comment from him regarding said absences. This is a stickler for me because I always talk about the importance of communication with me. Hell, if you put forth some effort, you'll find I'm a big softie (shhh...don't tell anyone). However, I really really hate it when students disappear and then feign family issues or some other kind of excuse, especially when it occurs over an extended period of time. I'll more likely not believe you if you do not communicate.
However, Bill decided to pull the "you're too hard" card today as well as the "I'm putting a lot of effort" one as well. First of all, welcome to college! This is what the real world is like. If your entitled ass cannot handle being challenged then you do not belong here. Second, you are not trying hard at all. I just looked over your papers again and it is clear that you are putting a half-assed effort into them. Is running spell check that difficult for you? Do you even read the instructions? He wrote "I mean I understand taking points away, but failing, why?" Seriously, your paper was HALF the required length and you wondered why you failed?
*facepalm*
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