Vladenschlutte

I don't think I've ever had an issue about not being able to use the restroom during an exam. I've done so plenty of times and never had an issue. I mean, if the professor thinks you're gonna cheat (presumably that was their concern) when you go to the restroom, they should expect plenty of other things. Do they make everyone take off their shoes and forbid drinks during the exam?

Unfair, yeah. I doubt anything will happen about it though. You just gotta suck it up and deal with it.

romanigypsyeyes

I'm a senior and I can honestly say I've never seen anyone leave the room to use the restroom during an exam. I figured people would just hold it.

teachandmom

In this day and age, understanding and knowledge about physical illnesses and circumstances which require the ability to use a bathroom at any time should be part of being a teacher of students of any age. Have you heard of Crohn's disease, which is already embarrassing enough without having to give explanations all the time? Not to mention kidney issues, bladder issues (very common in females) or just the simple need to change a tampon because of a bad period...I don't care what it is, and no one should have to justify WHY they need a bathroom, ever, to anyone. Sometimes, people can't just "hold it".

romanigypsyeyes

Teach, don't lecture me. I was making an observation.

FYI, not only am I intimately acquainted with Crohn's, but I have ulcerative colitis. I know what it's like to miss class because I can't be more than ten feet from the bathroom. I know what it's like to not be able to leave the house because of a flare up. Yeah, I'd say I've heard of it Needing to run to the restroom because of a health condition is a far, far cry from drinking too many cups of tea. DON'T confuse them or make them seem like the same issue.

religion

romani: stay on topic - this isnt your personal blog.

fish: i am interested in hearing your professor's response. does your school have an honor code?

romanigypsyeyes

^ I was responding to someone who asked me a question, which I'm allowed to do .

ETA: Btw, I think it's completely unfair. I understand where the prof is coming from but it's unreasonable. I simply had never thought of this before because I've never seen it happen.

fishayyy

I should point out that I do realize it was my fault for "instigating" this situation. When I emailed my professor, I repeatedly acknowledged this and accepted responsibility for it. No matter how much I personally believe that students shouldn't be prevented from using the restroom, I can see where she is coming from. I mainly just vehemently disagree with the course of action she took and the manner in which she did it - she was extremely unwilling to listen to anything I had to say. I told her I'm not attempting to salvage my grade, which hopefully will make her a bit more willing to listen this time. She hasn't responded yet, which worries me a bit...but hopefully she will by tomorrow morning.

And religion: I'm not aware of any explicit honor code. Certainly not of the type Davidson, Haverford, etc. have.

spectastic

just let it go... don't try to make a supreme court case out of a stupid restroom incident. And next time, pee and poop BEFORE you sit down, OK???

Writer1992

I think it's unfair she didn't warn you. I thought it was pretty common to hold it if you had to pee during a test until after you finished but you'd be surprised how many students go to the bathroom during a test. All of the professors that I've seen have been okay with it, unless they explicitly were told before that this wasn't allowed.

fishayyy

I'm afraid there won't be a real conclusion to this story in the near future, or at all. I emailed her on Monday; she never responded. I went to office hours yesterday, but only to talk about an upcoming paper. Neither of us broached the topic of the exam, except for her mentioning she hadn't finished grading. She seemed a little uncomfortable when we first started talking, but that's about it.

Thanks for all of your responses. They (most of them) made me feel a little better about the situation.