What if I can't graduate?

tkm256
Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:21:27 +0000

…you shouldn’t have problems graduating with a C- as long as your overall GPA still exceeds a minimal threshold (and given that your GPA is 3.75, a single C- by no means would bring your GPA below any reasonable minimal threshold).



The problem isn’t my GPA–it’s that this class is required for my degree and a C- is the bare minimum they will accept for credit. I can maintain this C- only if I do decently on the final, but if I repeat my performance from today that won’t happen, thus the concern.

Evo, the problem is that all exams aren’t like that. Half of each exam has been stuff I can handle–diagrams, calculations, conceptual questions–and the other half has been straight vocab regurgitation (the half I always get half wrong on to bring my grade down to a C). This time, unfortunately for me, it was all regurgitation, probably because the professor thought that the material was more difficult and he would cut us a break by making it “easier.” I never understood why teachers insisted memorization was the lowest rung of learning; labeling always came last for me after I understood the concept.

I’m not sure I can show the professor I’ve been working. Our grades are based 100% on exams, there’s no homework, and I don’t have questions to ask him after class because he explains everything well. I’m also adverse to going to his office and whining about how hard I’ve worked but I can’t get good grades on the test, or begging to do extra work to make up for it. He’s a pretty impressive person–was part of the principle team that created synthetic insulin, now head of the chem department–and I’m pretty sure he’d just say to make flash cards and do better on the final.