<p>D is taking Intro Astronomy to satisfy 2 distribution requirements. Although she insists she understands the concepts, she has done poorly on the exams, as the prof throws in problems which she doesn’t know how to do. She is not a “math person” and this course is way over the algebra the course guide indicated. TA left; new TA who grades differently. Prof who doesn’t care. Disaster. One would expect better of a school (Ivy) of this caliber and cost, but goes to show that ya don’t always get what you pay for. I hope she can pull off a C- (which she finds catastrophic, and potentially impacting upon potential goals. I told her unless she is planning on an astronomy major, no one will care). If not, withdraw. I would hope they would cut frosh a little slack- she has AP/other college credit- and is planning on 5 courses next semester.
Thanks for letting me vent!</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about your D. Understandable she finds its catastrophic but you are right, its not a big deal in the scheme of things. And good to get used to it. Students getting into Ivies have had perfect grades…but stuff happens. </p>
<p>I also think its important for parents to know that absolutely NOTHING will be different in “ivies” of this nature than anywhere else. Why would they be? I’ve taught at an Ivy and many other places, and the profs, and texts, and exams,and TAs are all basically the same in say the ‘top’ whatever 50 or so.</p>
<p>Rather than withdraw can she switch to P/F?</p>
<p>I survived a D or two. My friends even survived failing a class. We all escaped intact. It happens. When excellent students go to school with other excellent students, the risk of not getting an A is there. Yes, it s***s when the teacher & the t/a are a big part of the problem. But there are times it will happen no matter what. If she is stuck with the class & gets a bad grade, assure her that it will be okay in the scheme of life. She will probably have a really hard time with it, so she’ll need your assurance that this will not ruin her life.</p>
<p>Biggest lesson learned: should have taken “Rocks for Jocks”. She is frustrated she is spending more time on this course than her other 3, with considerably less gratification and reward.</p>
<p>It is too bad that after all the help and advice she has sought from each TA, the prof, and any other tutoring service offered, and putting in extra time on her own that she is still struggling so. Perhaps another student can help her with this? I presume though that she has tried all those avenue already, or else the student would be blaming the grade on the school or Prof when really she hadn’t put in every effort. If the Prof puts in test questions she doesn’t know how to do, maybe she isn’t as knowledgeable on the concepts as she first thought?
I agree a C- or even a D isn’t a big deal- even if she becomes Astronomy major. This is only the Intro course. With additional studies she can excel in Astronomy if she chooses.</p>