Missed the Final- HELP!?

[nickthecoolest]

So I was really, really stupid and mixed up the day of my history final and instead of taking it during the time slot it was to be held, I scheduled my math final on that day in hopes that if I had fewer finals per day I'd do better on all of them collectively.

The day I was going to take that history final I realized that it had already passed two days prior. So I e-mailed the professor immediately but never received a response. Then I called him and he said, "we'd talk about it" at one of his summer classes.

He didn't seem like he'd concede to a final retake but I feel so bad that after all of my hard work and getting A's on all of the exams before now my stupid mistake made my perfect A go down to a C and that I'll have to suffer the consequences because of a really, really dumb mistake.

Can anyone offer advice as to how to convince him to please let me retake the final? I know he doesn't "have" to, but I really hope he can be merciful.

[Northstarmom]

I can't think of any reason for the prof to do what you want. To be fair, he'd need to create a whole new final. It wouldn't be fair for him to have to do that due to a mistake of yours.

What you could ask would be if you could submit a paper, and be awarded a B grade if he deems it merits at least a "B".

[alwaysamom]

Knowing several college profs, this happens more often than people think. What usually happens in the cases I've heard of is that you'd have to take the exam during the period which your college sets aside for those who must defer exams for medical/emergency reasons. This would obviously be at your prof's discretion.

[nontraditional]

What does your syllabus say about makeups?

[ellemenope]

I thought this only happened only in my nightmares!

[Jolynne Smyth]

I've had the same nightmare, ellemenope! Many times (or, I signed up for a class (usually law school) and completely forgot to attend, until I realized I had to take the final...).

Maybe, as suggested, the prof would accept some substitute work?

[pafather]

I agree with most of the previous posters. I think you should make sure to meet with the professor as soon as possible, no matter how inconvenient the time or location may be for YOU (offer to meet at some neutral location near his home, if necessary, whatever to make it easier on him). Also, you need to convey an attitude that you DESERVE a zero on the exam, and that anything above and beyond that would only be because the professor is merciful. Before meeting with the professor, have a plan. Instead of just telling him that you do not want to receive a C, you should make it clear that you understand it would be too much to expect him to make up a new final exam just for you (but be prepared if he suggests taking an exam then and there on the spot) and ask if there is some way you can do some project or paper (depending on the type of course) that can improve your grade somewhat. You should bring a transcript to show that you are generally a good student, and understand that to be fair to the other students in the class even if you supply a paper better than what Shakespeare would have written the professor may place a ceiling of a B or something in the class because you missed the final. Lastly, anything you agree on, complete the assignment IMMEDIATELY, providing it to him earlier than you agree on.

[curiouser]

My D slept through a Chem final. She went to the professor and tearfully pleaded her case. She too had been carrying an "A" average. Luckily, the professor showed mercy and arranged for her to retake the exam. It was on the same day, however.

It became clear to me after her experience that you will be totally at the mercy of your professor. As such, it's critical that you follow pafather's advice above....have a plan, bend over backward to redeem yourself.

If you're unable to convince your professor, you'll have to learn to live with this mistake. That will be difficult, but I am sure it's a lesson that will guarantee you'll never make the mistake again.

I wish you much luck and hope this professor has a generous heart.

[cangel]

Wow! I wondered about this possiblity.
We toured a uni recently that gave certain tests online, math, for example, in the lower courses taken by many undergrads Students could schedule their online exam whenever, and change the time up until a few hours before testing time. This allowed them to work around another class that scheduled a test in between unexpectedly, or just work around not studying . I had the thought, though, doesn't anyone ever get confused and completely miss a test???