I got 36 out of 100 on my midterm and need to talk to the professor.

starling · 03-22-2009, 08:48 PM

There are 3 exams(30 % each) and participation grade (10%).

I legit didn't study for the test, didn't do the readings, and didn't really engage my self in the class. Withdrawing was not an option, so I couldn't.

It is solely my fault that I didn't study and it is my poor work ethic that caused the embarrasing grade. I don't think professor will curve, since the difficulty of the exam was fair if you studied.

I'm meeting with my professor tomorrow, and am very nervous what to say in front of him. What should I do during the meeting? Should I bag for an A on the other exams?

I'm really desperate, because if I don't get above A in the other two exams, I'm gonna get D or F on the transcript.

I'm more than nervous to talk to him, because he's probably thinking that I'm really stupid and not qualified enogh to be in this school..

hyperJulie · 03-22-2009, 09:06 PM

Why should the professor help you when you couldn't help yourself by fulfilling the basic expectations as a student? At the most, consider asking your professor if there's anything that you could do for extra credit, but expect to have to work for it.

thejuice · 03-22-2009, 09:07 PM

I was in this exact same situation with my Calc 1 class last semester. What i did was went and talked to the professor, and fell on my sword so to speak, admitted my fault in not taking the class seriously, and if there was any hope left for me to pass the class. Unfortunately, it was too late in the semester and my previous crappy work had smothered any hope of new work bringing up my grade. So, he pretty much told me that I would have to take the F, and I thanked him for his time and patience and told him I'd do better next time. I went down, but at least I went down valiantly.

I'd say, just work your arse off for the next two exams, and there is hope that your total can be brought up.

gstein · 03-22-2009, 09:22 PM

Hate to say it, but welcome to college. That's what happens when you don't try. Learn from your mistakes, and move on. As the person above me said, try your ass off. Remember though, a D looks better than an F... so even if you wind up finding out you can't pass, try for that D.

starling · 03-22-2009, 09:34 PM

there still is a possiblitiy that I can get C if I get A's in the both exams.
but it's really sad that i can't aim for A, but C..

goolsci · 03-22-2009, 09:54 PM

i know in some classes at some schools, if you do substantially better on later tests then those count more than your first once you prove yourself. Try for A's on the coming tests. if you get them, talk to your professor again and see if he will raise your grade. also, learn from your mistakes and don't let this happen again in another class

Hurley191 · 03-22-2009, 10:20 PM

just talk to your professor about it and once in a while go in and ask him a question so it shows you care and hopefully you'll get perfect participation and if you really work hard and get a 100 on both tests you'll get a B- but if not you can just get solid A-'s on the tests and end up with a C...good luck

huang · 03-23-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

there still is a possiblitiy that I can get C if I get A's in the both exams.
but it's really sad that i can't aim for A, but C..

it's really sad that you can find the nerve to complain about a C when you are on the verge of failing your class.

freshman1990 · 03-23-2009, 02:18 AM

Go to every class, study, get a tutor if you have to and make sure to get A's on the next 2 tests. As you said the tests were fair if you studied so I see no reason why you can't get an A on the next 2. Then, got talk to the prof. At that point he will see that you have been working really hard and would be more willing to help you.

augustuscaesar · 03-25-2009, 03:09 AM

If you ace everything else then it'd be 81%... how is that a C?

arbiter213 · 03-25-2009, 10:21 AM

Just don't lie to the Prof. They can sniff it out, and they don't like it.

futurenyustudent · 03-25-2009, 12:37 PM

Maybe you can somehow swing an Incomplete, or better yet, take a W, then retake the class. Also, can you change the grade to pass-fail? Or take whatever grade you get and retake the class. Some schools will not factor the first grade into your GPA if you retake the class (while it does appear on the transcript).

A 36% sucks, and it's nearly unrecoverable.

gstein · 03-25-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

If you ace everything else then it'd be 81%... how is that a C?

I highly doubt he has full credit for his participation grade (10%) if he "didn't study for the test, didn't do the readings, and didn't really engage my self in the class." Besides, you can ace a test with less than a 100.

soccerguy315 · 03-26-2009, 12:54 AM

you should probably not go talk to the professor, and spend the time studying instead.

aleiram51 · 03-26-2009, 01:21 AM

Well that's your own fault, you shouldn't complain about how you can no longer aim for an A.

Just show that you're trying to make a change, like others have said (and through my own experience) maybe he will look at how well you did on the next two, and help you out.