I never wrote about a personal problem on here, but I'm so bereft with sadness and hopelessness, I have to go somewhere. And maybe one of you all can help me with some advice.

Now, currently I'm taking a chemistry course with a not-so-lenient teacher. On our second midterm, he failed the entire class. The average was 40%, with the highest mark being 56 %. He gave us a retest, and while I did get a higher grade, it wasn't the grade I wanted (I got a C when I wanted to get at least a C+).

Here's the thing. I never EVER failed a test, let alone a chem test. My major is chemistry. The worst grade I ever got was 77% prior to this teacher. My GPA is usually around 3.6. I work like crazy, most of my day is taken up by studying. I put things like music and free time aside so I study. I've done all I can to study for this test, and i feel I got shot down again. He said his final won't be as easy as this test, or that straight forward. I've already taken precaution of signing up for a summer class, but I really don't want it to come to that.

I just feel so hopeless at this moment Idk what to do. Usually I get by in the end, but I don't know if I'll win this time. I never got this bad in any subject, even calculus and I hate calculus!

I'm sorry for bothering y'all, but idk where else to go.

I'm sorry to hear all of this. Why not go to the prof and tell him exactly what you've just told us? It may go some ways in his assessment of what he's taught properly vs. what the class has failed to retain. In other words, maybe he'll realize the problem isn't y'all, if, indeed, you've worked so hard, but still aren't giving back what he wants.

Moreover, consider things like extra credit assignments, etc. Let him know your grade is very important to you.

[Edited 4/7/11 18:45pm]

SherryJackson said:

I never wrote about a personal problem on here, but I'm so bereft with sadness and hopelessness, I have to go somewhere. And maybe one of you all can help me with some advice.

Now, currently I'm taking a chemistry course with a not-so-lenient teacher. On our second midterm, he failed the entire class. The average was 40%, with the highest mark being 56 %. He gave us a retest, and while I did get a higher grade, it wasn't the grade I wanted (I got a C when I wanted to get at least a C+).

Here's the thing. I never EVER failed a test, let alone a chem test. My major is chemistry. The worst grade I ever got was 77% prior to this teacher. My GPA is usually around 3.6. I work like crazy, most of my day is taken up by studying. I put things like music and free time aside so I study. I've done all I can to study for this test, and i feel I got shot down again. He said his final won't be as easy as this test, or that straight forward. I've already taken precaution of signing up for a summer class, but I really don't want it to come to that.

I just feel so hopeless at this moment Idk what to do. Usually I get by in the end, but I don't know if I'll win this time. I never got this bad in any subject, even calculus and I hate c.alculus!

I'm sorry for bothering y'all, but idk where else to go.

Talk to him, see if you can get extra credit and tell him your not happy with the grade and maybe he could help or get a tutor.

[Edited 4/7/11 18:46pm]

He doesn't really give extra credit. I do know that he is tacking on 15% extra to our final grade due to some discrepancies in our course syllabus (he threw us a bone there).

I did go to him, with my father even, and told him how I feel, before we even wrote this midterm. He said he'd give me more consideration, but apparently even that's a lie.

I already have a tutor. I called my ex chem professor up and he offered to help me for free. I've been seeing him 2X a week two weeks before this midterm, and I'll be seeing him up to the final exam. I'm also going to see him (my current professor) 2X a week to see what more I can do, which I also did before this midterm.

So I guess I'll just plug away some more. I ain't goin' down without a fight.

And I did tell him what I thought. He still doesn't understand why his students do badly. It's always our fault, and never his. Hell, if i didn't go with my father, he'd have insulted me, telling me I"m dumb or stupid, and that I should've worked harder.

I saw him do that to others. His punch line is "I fail you" or "I give you big, fat benzene (which in his lingo is slang for zero, because he draws a benzene ring the same way most would draw zero)".

Did you know this guy was so hardcore before you enrolled in his class? And I assume it's too late to drop?

Lammastide said:

Did you know this guy was so hardcore before you enrolled in his class? And I assume it's too late to drop?

I did. I had no choice. My university is fairly small, and only two teachers teach 2nd year, 2nd semester organic chemistry. The other class filled up before my registration date, so I had no choice but to choose this class.

And yes, it's too late to drop. Our second midterm was handed back THE LAST DAY WE COULD DROP OUT WITHOUT GETTING A FAIL.

So...these are the cards I'm dealt.

SherryJackson said:

Lammastide said:

Did you know this guy was so hardcore before you enrolled in his class? And I assume it's too late to drop?

I did. I had no choice. My university is fairly small, and only two teachers teach 2nd year, 2nd semester organic chemistry. The other class filled up before my registration date, so I had no choice but to choose this class.

And yes, it's too late to drop. Our second midterm was handed back THE LAST DAY WE COULD DROP OUT WITHOUT GETTING A FAIL.

So...these are the cards I'm dealt.

Uggh. Sucks.

Well... keep studying, keep advocating for yourself and, if necessary, go over dude's head. Ive learned from personal academic experience that if you can support an articulate case with evidence of consistent quality work, somebody in a decision-making position can make things happen in your favor. Just be aware that egos in the post-secondary environment are often fragile and harm to them avenged in some way. Do whatever you do with some consideration of where and when you might cross paths with this bozo again. Best wishes.

[Edited 4/7/11 19:50pm]

I say take it to him, let him know what's up, and if that don't work, you can always switch majors. College professors are dillweeds anyway.

Timmy84 said:

I say take it to him, let him know what's up, and if that don't work, you can always switch majors. College professors are dillweeds anyway.

Awww thanks Timmy.

Well, I do have a plan B..which is to take it in the summer and get it over with. But I hope it doesn't come to that. And I won't let this punk-ass make me sour my view of a subject just because he takes pleasure in making his students miserable.

SherryJackson said:

Timmy84 said:

I say take it to him, let him know what's up, and if that don't work, you can always switch majors. College professors are dillweeds anyway.

Awww thanks Timmy.

Well, I do have a plan B..which is to take it in the summer and get it over with. But I hope it doesn't come to that. And I won't let this punk-ass make me sour my view of a subject just because he takes pleasure in making his students miserable.

I feel ya. Whatever works, we're rooting for ya.

Timmy84 said:

SherryJackson said:

Awww thanks Timmy.

Well, I do have a plan B..which is to take it in the summer and get it over with. But I hope it doesn't come to that. And I won't let this punk-ass make me sour my view of a subject just because he takes pleasure in making his students miserable.

I feel ya. Whatever works, we're rooting for ya.

Timmy..you're the big brother I wish I had.

Thank you so much.

Lammastide said:

SherryJackson said:

I did. I had no choice. My university is fairly small, and only two teachers teach 2nd year, 2nd semester organic chemistry. The other class filled up before my registration date, so I had no choice but to choose this class.

And yes, it's too late to drop. Our second midterm was handed back THE LAST DAY WE COULD DROP OUT WITHOUT GETTING A FAIL.

So...these are the cards I'm dealt.

Uggh. Sucks.

Well... keep studying, keep advocating for yourself and, if necessary, go over dude's head. Ive learned from personal academic experience that if you can support an articulate case with evidence of consistent quality work, somebody in a decision-making position can make things happen in your favor. Just be aware that egos in the post-secondary environment are often fragile and harm to them avenged in some way. Do whatever you do with some consideration of where and when you might cross paths with this bozo again. Best wishes.

[Edited 4/7/11 19:50pm]

Thank you so much, Lammastide. I appreciate the advice.

formallypickles said:

SherryJackson said:

I never wrote about a personal problem on here, but I'm so bereft with sadness and hopelessness, I have to go somewhere. And maybe one of you all can help me with some advice.

Now, currently I'm taking a chemistry course with a not-so-lenient teacher. On our second midterm, he failed the entire class. The average was 40%, with the highest mark being 56 %. He gave us a retest, and while I did get a higher grade, it wasn't the grade I wanted (I got a C when I wanted to get at least a C+).

Here's the thing. I never EVER failed a test, let alone a chem test. My major is chemistry. The worst grade I ever got was 77% prior to this teacher. My GPA is usually around 3.6. I work like crazy, most of my day is taken up by studying. I put things like music and free time aside so I study. I've done all I can to study for this test, and i feel I got shot down again. He said his final won't be as easy as this test, or that straight forward. I've already taken precaution of signing up for a summer class, but I really don't want it to come to that.

I just feel so hopeless at this moment Idk what to do. Usually I get by in the end, but I don't know if I'll win this time. I never got this bad in any subject, even calculus and I hate c.alculus!

I'm sorry for bothering y'all, but idk where else to go.

Talk to him, see if you can get extra credit and tell him your not happy with the grade and maybe he could help or get a tutor.

[Edited 4/7/11 18:46pm]

I teach at a University and I NEVER give extra credit for anything.

My expectation is that if you can't pass the test, you simply weren't studying hard enough or stepping up to the plate and asking questions when you were confused.

Now, my failure rate is normally between 30 and 40% though, and I generally teach high society rich kids whom I have little sympathy for--don't get me wrong, I like them, and I treat them all with respect--but, if they fail because they didn't study, well...so what.

In the OP's case though, I think everybody failing a test is a bit odd. To me that's an indication of an unrealistic unit objective or a very ineffective professor, at which case, the student should go before the Dean or head of the faculty rather than to the professor. Something is wrong if all your students are failing.

I thought this was about a bad first time anal experience.

JustErin said:

I thought this was about a bad first time anal experience.

!!!

Well, this is General Discussion.

Some professors should not teach at all. They just don't care that you pay $500.00+ per class just to listen to them drawl in misery.

One of my professors only cares about his grant. He could care less about our class or actually teaching us something. He leaves everything to this stupid unorganized TA. SMH!

Also, your prof sounds like a real douchebag. Unfortunately, there are many profs like that in real life. They just enjoy torturing students because they live a very sad life.

Take it higher up hun. Dean of the faculty and then higher if nothing is done. I know some professors r beyond jerks but maybe ask another teacher for help, i've done that before when my own teacher was crapola.

ANDROGYNUN said:

In the OP's case though, I think everybody failing a test is a bit odd. To me that's an indication of an unrealistic unit objective or a very ineffective professor, at which case, the student should go before the Dean or head of the faculty rather than to the professor. Something is wrong if all your students are failing.

I agree. When the WHOLE class fails, something is wrong.

Have you talked with some of your classmates? If a group of you speak with the Dean together, it will not seem like complaining because you didn't do well.

Good Luck!

specific quote edit

[Edited 4/8/11 2:49am]

chocolate1 said:

ANDROGYNUN said:

In the OP's case though, I think everybody failing a test is a bit odd. To me that's an indication of an unrealistic unit objective or a very ineffective professor, at which case, the student should go before the Dean or head of the faculty rather than to the professor. Something is wrong if all your students are failing.

I agree. When the WHOLE class fails, something is wrong.

Have you talked with some of your classmates? If a group of you speak with the Dean together, it will not seem like complaining because you didn't do well.

Good Luck!

specific quote edit

[Edited 4/8/11 2:49am]

I thought I had some hard ass professors this quarter ! I agree with Chocolate 1, get a group together and talk to the Dean. I've never heard of a whole class failing a test before. It sounds like this guy just gets off on failing people and making feel people feel stupid because he is just a miserable human being.

It sounds like you are taking all the right steps with tutoring and studying so hard. Let us know how it turns out for you.

I'm having a similar experience. Nearly everyone in my photography class is having a hard time with the tests and exams. We're all doing well with the actual developing and printing, it's just the tests that are difficult

Our professor spends more times telling corny jokes than the actual notes

[Edited 4/8/11 4:17am]

Maybe you and other students can do something together, like someone already said.

In my country this happens all the time at many universities, but nobody really dares to do anything about it.

bboy87 said:

I'm having a similar experience. Nearly everyone in my photography class is having a hard time with the tests and exams. We're all doing well with the actual developing and printing, it's just the tests that are difficult

Our professor spends more times telling corny jokes than the actual notes

[Edited 4/8/11 4:17am]

If your teacher is from Hong Kong, then maybe he's related to mine

If a conversation with the professor does not help........I'd go straight 2 the university President.

U will be surprsied how effective that can be.

chocolate1 said:

ANDROGYNUN said:

In the OP's case though, I think everybody failing a test is a bit odd. To me that's an indication of an unrealistic unit objective or a very ineffective professor, at which case, the student should go before the Dean or head of the faculty rather than to the professor. Something is wrong if all your students are failing.

I agree. When the WHOLE class fails, something is wrong.

Have you talked with some of your classmates? If a group of you speak with the Dean together, it will not seem like complaining because you didn't do well.

Good Luck!

specific quote edit

[Edited 4/8/11 2:49am]

To Ms. chocolate1 and all who answered similarly in regards to going to the Dean:

Well, if he doesn't give me the pass I want, that's exactly what I'm going to do. And I'll try to recruit whoever's brave enough to come with me.

Well, to answer the first point, the material is not easy. We're still beginngers at this, but he treats us like graduate students and marks us accordingly. While this approach I appreciate in the lab, in class, where more technical stuff like mechanism drawing, recognizing reactions and so forth..that's really hard to do. You have to know everything.

I asked him how I could study for his final. He said "Do all the problems in the book". Yeah, I have time to do all that. I have 4 other exams to study for, plus a lab write up and 2 papers for two other classes. I'll do what i can, but idk if I can do all of them.

Lammastide said:

SherryJackson said:

I did. I had no choice. My university is fairly small, and only two teachers teach 2nd year, 2nd semester organic chemistry. The other class filled up before my registration date, so I had no choice but to choose this class.

And yes, it's too late to drop. Our second midterm was handed back THE LAST DAY WE COULD DROP OUT WITHOUT GETTING A FAIL.

So...these are the cards I'm dealt.

Uggh. Sucks.

Well... keep studying, keep advocating for yourself and, if necessary, go over dude's head. Ive learned from personal academic experience that if you can support an articulate case with evidence of consistent quality work, somebody in a decision-making position can make things happen in your favor. Just be aware that egos in the post-secondary environment are often fragile and harm to them avenged in some way. Do whatever you do with some consideration of where and when you might cross paths with this bozo again. Best wishes.

[Edited 4/7/11 19:50pm]

Especially the academic world is a nasty pit of bad ego's. Be very aware. Most of them are professor becuase they are shrewd, not smart. Or the combination of the two.

1 Build up a good case.

With the whole group of students providing evidence.

2 Go to the person who decides on budgets and therefore makes and breaks university personell.

3 Convince that person the professor is not enhancing students knowledge nor self worth. That he is known for being sadistic in stead of elevating the students to a higher level. Tell that decisionmaker that the word will spread and therefore this professor is bad for the reputation of the University. Ask him to help you and your class with solving this problem.

4 Study hard in order not to have that professor be able to prove right.

5 Be prepared for revenge action of professor.

6. Congratulations, you just learned not only a lot about chemistry, you also learned how to build up a career in academic life. You can generalize these skills to commercial, governmental, and leisurely environments

Keep going, don't let him pull you down!

i once had a professor who showed up a half hour late the morning of the final exam, and when he finally arrived he distributed still-wet-from-the-copier exam sheets comprised of one question: tell me everything you know about japan

anyway... a lot of the students in that class took the exam, but later protested to him and he eventually offered a second final exam, with more better questions....

point being, you can negotiate a re-take with your professor. the fact that everyone failed kind of proves your prof wasn't doing much right.

XxAxX said:

i once had a professor who showed up a half hour late the morning of the final exam, and when he finally arrived he distributed still-wet-from-the-copier exam sheets comprised of one question: tell me everything you know about japan

anyway... a lot of the students in that class took the exam, but later protested to him and he eventually offered a second final exam, with more better questions....

point being, you can negotiate a re-take with your professor. the fact that everyone failed kind of proves your prof wasn't doing much right.

dear, perhaps you should have studied more, and not put down "it's a word with 2 a's in it."

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

i once had a professor who showed up a half hour late the morning of the final exam, and when he finally arrived he distributed still-wet-from-the-copier exam sheets comprised of one question: tell me everything you know about japan

anyway... a lot of the students in that class took the exam, but later protested to him and he eventually offered a second final exam, with more better questions....

point being, you can negotiate a re-take with your professor. the fact that everyone failed kind of proves your prof wasn't doing much right.

dear, perhaps you should have studied more, and not put down "it's a word with 2 a's in it."

whoa there nellie, what is this "studied" thing you refer to....?

XxAxX said:

BlackAdder7 said:

dear, perhaps you should have studied more, and not put down "it's a word with 2 a's in it."

whoa there nellie, what is this "studied" thing you refer to....?

we had a professor who..well..never bothered to write new exams. he just used the same final year after year. we didn't know this, and we had asked students in the year above what to study for the final. well...the exam was the same. we all would have gotten a's, but one asshole happened to bump into the professor after the exam, and said "i can't believe you didn't change the questions"....359 4th year students chased after this guy...he had no friends anymore.

JustErin said:

I thought this was about a bad first time anal experience.

LMAO, I was gonna say how I never had a professor and had to figure things out on my own.