So angry I can't even think straight...

[Chickerdoodle13]

I just got out of my chem IV class and we received our tests back that we took on Wednesday. There were a few high grades, but the rest of the class did very poorly, and that's WITH a very big curve. I ended up getting a 77. Not terribly bad, but I'm pretty much a straight A student. In three years of college I've only gotten two B+'s and this 77 is my lowest grade I think I've gotten since beginning high school. I studied my butt off for this test and thought I understood the material pretty well, but I was poorly mistaken. I actually did well on the open ended part of the test, but the multiple choice, not so well. The test before this one I got an 83. Considering the way the rest of the class did, I was happy with that. Now I'm upset. I want to talk to the professor, but he is the type that won't listen to what you have to say and will just repeat that the highest grade (with curve) was a 110. I don't understand what that says about the rest of the class at all.

I had this professor sophmore year and I did well. I was one of the top students. This semester is terrible. I'm waiting until next week to talk to him because I am so heated right now. I don't want to be rude, but I want to let him know a few things. These grades are not typical for me at all and I am not slacking off in the slightest. Also, I feel that we are not given enough time for the length of the test. If I had time to go over my answers I would not get so many wrong. For the past two tests, I was there 45 minutes early and I sitll did not have enough time.

So this is a combination of a very heated rant and asking for advice as to how I can go about letting him know that I am upset and I want to do better. I'm studying my butt off and I'm frustrated beyond belief because I cannot do well on these tests. The rest of the class seems to be having the same problems!

 

[dntd]

I have a tough teacher right now for english, she assigns way too much work, most doesn't really cound but you have to do it, we had to do a presentation which was super important then got the class to mark and told the class to not givbe a good or bad grade? odd, I did ok but not sure about my latest test as it was grammer , way too indepth for me!

 

[FrenchHen]

Start taking notes now for his end of term evaluation. Department heads do look at those, and they can be valuable. You can also speak to the department head if the professor is not approachable, but do try to talk with the teacher first. How much will this one assignment count for your term grade?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Ask for tips on how to study better and let him know you're busting your tail to get the grade and are very disappointed that you are coming up short. Don't portray it as his fault or he'll not be open to helping you....even if it IS his fault for bad wording of test questions! Tell him you are having difficulty with the time frame and ask what he would recommend you do. I'd also ask about extra work to bring the grade up maybe? That stinks! Don't be too hard on yourself though...every teacher is different and some are just harder than others. I hope you get it figured out soon! Try not to let it stress you...it's ONE class and a few tests...not your whole life. It matters a lot right now, but it is not the WHOLE BIG picture....I just say that because I get so caught up in the moment and worry over tiny things so much. Just try to relax and talk to him calmly...best of luck to you!

 

[herfrds]

I agree with Cindiloohoo.

Had a really tough teacher back in HS. Everyone was scared of him.
I was late for class one day and he told me to sit down and open my books, which I did. He then came over to me and started screaming that we were taking a closed book test and knocked my books on the floor.
I stood up picked up my books and told him what I thought of him and his class in not so polite words and terms and walked out.
I never had to go back to that teachers class again.
Rather funny though, he never smiled or said hello to any of the students in his class not even the straight A ones, but after that he always smiled and said hi to me.
Go figure.