grade reduction due to absence

[Desensitized]

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[Bluto385]

You can try reasoning with the teacher, but if it's in the syllabus there is little you can do about it. Gotta read the fine print

 

[Sophocles]

Why did you miss the classes?

 

[Doctor Strange]

Unless you were out for medical/family emergencies, then there's really nothing you can do here. The policy is what the policy is, and it was up to you to suck it up and go to class.

 

[Desensitized]

I've tried reasoning with her in the past (roughly about 4-5 weeks ago) but she says that she can't make an exception for me. I sent her an e-mail today as a final attempt to get her to excuse the absence, but I have not heard back from her yet.

As far as the reasons to being absent goes, they're different. And the reasons don't matter much to her. I was sick for 2 of those absences (didn't need to go to the doctor; wasn't that severe, but sick nevertheless and didn't want to bike), didn't hear my alarm clock, and my bike's tire was popped and so I wasn't able to make the class in time (it was snowing, and my school is 2 miles away).

 

[antonius89]

One should never miss class unless one has a very important excuse!!!

 

[Desensitized]

True. But for a class that meets 4 days a week, I don't feel that 4 absences is even an excessive amount. But whatever, I will take a B if I have to.

 

[Sophocles]

Your professor sounds pretty stern and without a doctors note I doubt she will change her mind. I don't think there's any use in beating yourself up. Just get over it and make sure you don't miss any classes next semester. A B/B+ isn't going to kill your chances.

 

[Sophocles]

True. But for a class that meets 4 days a week, I don't feel that 4 absences is even an excessive amount. But whatever, I will take a B if I have to.

Your opinion is irrelevant.

edit: I don't mean that in a rude way, but you sound a little too entitled.

 

[Desensitized]

Your opinion is irrelevant.

Well yeah, clearly.

 

[Desensitized]

Your opinion is irrelevant.

edit: I don't mean that in a rude way, but you sound a little too entitled.

No, it's fine. And perhaps I am being a bit too entitled, but most people would be in my situation.

 

[mcloaf]

No, it's fine. And perhaps I am being a bit too entitled, but most people would be in my situation.

Not necessarily. I had classes like this UG. Is it fair that people who followed the attendance policy should get the same grade as you? Unfortunately it sounds like some of it was out of your control, but oh well, live and learn.

 

[pre med 2014]

Your opinion is irrelevant.

edit: I don't mean that in a rude way, but you sound a little too entitled.

Well. Maybe he is entitled, his performance on the exams corresponds to an A. Therefore he should be entitled to be excused from a stupid rule, he's obviously doing great without any need to follow the rule.

 

[mcloaf]

Therefore he should be entitled to be excused from a stupid rule, he's obviously doing great without any need to follow the rule.

This is not how real life works.

 

[Bangersandmash]

Well. Maybe he is entitled, his performance on the exams corresponds to an A. Therefore he should be entitled to be excused from a stupid rule, he's obviously doing great without any need to follow the rule.

Lol.

No, it's fine. And perhaps I am being a bit too entitled, but most people would be in my situation.

Do you want to be like most people when you apply to med school? Welcome to strict professors and ****ty classes. Few people here want to hear you complain. Fewer professors want to hear you complain.

Your opinion is irrelevant.

edit: I don't mean that in a rude way, but you sound a little too entitled.

He is. There are some classes I find absolutely worthless to attend, but if attendance is required, I go. If you're sick and can't afford an absence, go to a clinic that day and get a note. If your bike doesn't work, walk 2 miles. I walk a mile and a half to class every day. If your alarm doesn't work, oh well, that's why you have two absences.

I'm sure this experience will teach you a lesson.

 

[Stumpyman]

Though not a great policy, you had been informed about it at the beginning of the semester and throughout (syllabus), so the professor really has no reason to excuse those absences (unless you had a legit reason to miss the classes). Really is no option but to face your mistake, take the deduction, and move on.

 

[plumhill]

This is more common than you'd think, and this is why you read the syllabus carefully at the beginning of the semester. It's a little odd to see this in a physics class (I've usually seen this for smaller humanities classes), but at the same time, there is little you can do about it. Professors are given some leeway regarding course policies, and especially if she explicitly put it in the syllabus, you probably will not change her mind.

 

[MaenadsDance]

Take this from someone who has a number of friends and family who teach at the university level -- many professors will be more than willing to work with you during the semester if you e-mail them promptly about any illness or other unavoidable conflict. However, EVERY professor hates the end-of-semester e-mails from the student who KNEW the absence policy in the syllabus, but who made no effort during the semester to work with the professor to make up for their absences.

Think from your professor's point of view: every year, every semester, some neurotic pre-med (or multiple neurotic pre-meds) are going to come to them and say, BUT PROFESSOR! I NEED this A! I knew the rules and broke them and made no effort to talk to you about it, but I AM A SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE!!

I have missed a number of classes this semester due to illness. My professors have been more than willing to work with me on this, because I contacted them promptly when I knew I would have to miss class because I was sick.

PS have you ever had a minimum wage job? Because that crap don't fly when you're working an eight-hour shift and your manager can't find someone to replace you.

 

[moocow47]

.

 

[moocow47]

Take this from someone who has a number of friends and family who teach at the university level -- many professors will be more than willing to work with you during the semester if you e-mail them promptly about any illness or other unavoidable conflict. However, EVERY professor hates the end-of-semester e-mails from the student who KNEW the absence policy in the syllabus, but who made no effort during the semester to work with the professor to make up for their absences.

Think from your professor's point of view: every year, every semester, some neurotic pre-med (or multiple neurotic pre-meds) are going to come to them and say, BUT PROFESSOR! I NEED this A! I knew the rules and broke them and made no effort to talk to you about it, but I AM A SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE!!

I have missed a number of classes this semester due to illness. My professors have been more than willing to work with me on this, because I contacted them promptly when I knew I would have to miss class because I was sick.

PS have you ever had a minimum wage job? Because that crap don't fly when you're working an eight-hour shift and your manager can't find someone to replace you.

👍

This is not how real life works.

👍

Edit: Oops, sorry for the double reply. New to the forum.

 

[def1]

That sucks but at least its not as ridiculous as my stats teacher who put in the syllabus she would drop any student from the class with more than 2 absences.

 

[deleted480308]

I had an online class with all deadlines 12 midnight except the final 12noon. I logged on after work to turn in my paper and blast through my last exam (I had a literal 100 avg so far).....class is closed, C+.....life is not fair, read the syllabus better next time, the syllabus is omnipotent

 

[deleted303591]

My professors are supposed to cut me slack because I am chronically ill. In other words, I have accommodations saying that I cannot be penalized if I miss class "occassionally", etc.

But, I have been penalized multiple times. I even had a professor say to me "if you cannot show up to class, you should quit school" because I missed class twice. It was due to illness and he still took off points from my grade. It was horrible and extremely stressful.

I have to say, don't expect to get that "A" if you miss any class, whether there is an overt penalty or not. It just statistically is not in your favor to get an "A" if you miss class. In fact, I went to a guaranteed 4.0 conference where statistical information was presented, and if you miss >= 3 classes in a semester, your "chance" at getting an "A" is "guaranteed" to be "gone".

So, just imagine being in my position. Being "occasionally" too sick to go to class due to chronic illness can be the difference between an "A" and a "B", which adds up and hurts my chances of getting in to medical school. It is extremely stressful for me to miss class and I hate missing school.

In fact, I dislike all of the complaints about having "mandatory attendance" in medical school.

OP, you need to get your act together and become more mature. You either have what it takes or not. You need to show up to every class, whether you think the class is useful or not.

 

[MedPR]

Hey all,

I am currently sitting at a 85.81/90 in my physics class but my teacher has a policy of reducing a person's grade if they miss more than two class periods. A 5% reduction for every absence after the two allotted absences. I have missed 4 classes total, and I am now unable to get an A in the class. Is there anything I can do about this? I find her policy a bit ridiculous, and this isn't even the school's policy. Their attendance policy is stating that the teacher can do whatever they want with attendance. If they want it to be mandatory, they can, if they don't want it to be mandatory, that's fine as well.

I just find it to be dumb considering I've been working hard in this class all semester just to have my grade reduced a whopping 10%...

This is why you read syllabi. There's nothing you can do. Your fault for missing class, your fault for waiting until now to bring it up with the teacher.

 

[plumhill]

I have to say, don't expect to get that "A" if you miss any class, whether there is an overt penalty or not. It just statistically is not in your favor to get an "A" if you miss class. In fact, I went to a guaranteed 4.0 conference where statistical information was presented, and if you miss >= 3 classes in a semester, your "chance" at getting an "A" is "guaranteed" to be "gone".

That's not true for a lot of "fluff" classes. Had a BS public affairs class, showed up only for review sessions and exams...112% in the class.

But for a course that is more difficult, and/or tracks attendance...just show up.

 

[Desensitized]

This is why you read syllabi. There's nothing you can do. Your fault for missing class, your fault for waiting until now to bring it up with the teacher.

I didn't just now bring it up to her. A lot of people on their high horses tonight

but yeah, I'll take the B if she decides to count the 1 extra absence against me.

 

[MedPR]

I didn't just now bring it up to her. A lot of people on their high horses tonight

but yeah, I'll take the B if she decides to count the 1 extra absence against me.

Not on a high horse. I'm just intelligent enough to look at the syllabus and plan ahead. Before the semester started I emailed all of my professors to let them know that I would be attending medical school interviews and would likely need to miss class and reschedule exams. I asked if they were flexible and if they said no, then I took someone else's class. Don't put yourself in bad situations. It's not that difficult.

 

[phikapdoctor]

Though not a great policy, you had been informed about it at the beginning of the semester and throughout (syllabus), so the professor really has no reason to excuse those absences (unless you had a legit reason to miss the classes). Really is no option but to face your mistake, take the deduction, and move on.

Pretty much what it comes down too. I don't know why you posted on here.. We're you looking for a loophole to the system? You have to face your responsibilities in that class "which are to show up."
However I emphasize with you because that sucks. I have been there before and it is frustrating.
Forget about it and move on with life, you still have a B, maybe a B+.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

 

[IslandStyle808]

My professors are supposed to cut me slack because I am chronically ill. In other words, I have accommodations saying that I cannot be penalized if I miss class "occassionally", etc.

But, I have been penalized multiple times. I even had a professor say to me "if you cannot show up to class, you should quit school" because I missed class twice. It was due to illness and he still took off points from my grade. It was horrible and extremely stressful.

I have to say, don't expect to get that "A" if you miss any class, whether there is an overt penalty or not. It just statistically is not in your favor to get an "A" if you miss class. In fact, I went to a guaranteed 4.0 conference where statistical information was presented, and if you miss >= 3 classes in a semester, your "chance" at getting an "A" is "guaranteed" to be "gone".

So, just imagine being in my position. Being "occasionally" too sick to go to class due to chronic illness can be the difference between an "A" and a "B", which adds up and hurts my chances of getting in to medical school. It is extremely stressful for me to miss class and I hate missing school.

In fact, I dislike all of the complaints about having "mandatory attendance" in medical school.

OP, you need to get your act together and become more mature. You either have what it takes or not. You need to show up to every class, whether you think the class is useful or not.

Wow that's sad. Did you go to the people in charge of accommodations and tell them this? Or did you try to talk to the dean or chair about it?

Professors like that really irritate me. 😡

Hope things look up for you. 🙂

 

[Desensitized]

Not on a high horse. I'm just intelligent enough to look at the syllabus and plan ahead. Before the semester started I emailed all of my professors to let them know that I would be attending medical school interviews and would likely need to miss class and reschedule exams. I asked if they were flexible and if they said no, then I took someone else's class. Don't put yourself in bad situations. It's not that difficult.

Lol. I didn't put myself in this situation on purpose, obviously. And I am sure you've had more than your fair share of bad situations. 👎

Again, get off your high horse. You're not that special.

 

[Desensitized]

Pretty much what it comes down too. I don't know why you posted on here.. We're you looking for a loophole to the system? You have to face your responsibilities in that class "which are to show up."
However I emphasize with you because that sucks. I have been there before and it is frustrating.
Forget about it and move on with life, you still have a B, maybe a B+.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

Yup. Already said I'd be fine with a B.

Thread closed.

 

[mcloaf]

Yup. Already said I'd be fine with a B.

Thread closed.

Lol, I guess this thread didn't go as planned.

 

[Desensitized]

Lol, I guess this thread didn't go as planned.

Ain't even mad, dawg.

 

[Bangersandmash]

Ain't even mad, dawg.

That'll save a lot of people the trouble of posting U MAD BRO memes.

 

[Sophocles]

This is why you read syllabi. There's nothing you can do. Your fault for missing class, your fault for waiting until now to bring it up with the teacher.

Not on a high horse. I'm just intelligent enough to look at the syllabus and plan ahead. Before the semester started I emailed all of my professors to let them know that I would be attending medical school interviews and would likely need to miss class and reschedule exams. I asked if they were flexible and if they said no, then I took someone else's class. Don't put yourself in bad situations. It's not that difficult.

+1,000,000

Pretty much what it comes down too. I don't know why you posted on here.. We're you looking for a loophole to the system? You have to face your responsibilities in that class "which are to show up."
However I emphasize with you because that sucks. I have been there before and it is frustrating.
Forget about it and move on with life, you still have a B, maybe a B+.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app please excuse punctuation and spelling

I emphasize with people all the time, as well.


OP if you can't even follow the simple instructions that the instructor gave you because you are too arrogant (due to a false sense of security given by a relatively borderline-A performance in your class), then this is your own fault. This is a good time to realize that you are transitioning into the real world and not everyone is as understanding and accommodating as your high school teachers. That's life, and I suggest you change your paradigm quickly-your attitude sucks. Look at the lengths that people like MedPR go to in order to be successful-that's the mentality you need to have: learn to cover your bases, instead of thinking that your entitled to special treatment. Good luck to you in the future and I hope next semester you post about how you went to every class and received A's in every class. Could be a good lesson for you to learn👍