Handwriting and grades

[WorldChanger36]

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I have some crappy handwriting. Not so bad that it can't be read but it does take some effort. There has been times professors have marked wrong multiple items and stated they just couldn't read it easily so it was wrong. Has anybody else out there had a problem with handwriting to this extent? It is get to the point where the difference between an A B or C is handwriting. I am thinking about doing something about it before I get into medical school. I am honestly sick and tired of having to play catch up because my professor did not feel like trying to read anwser 3 and I don't want this to be a problem in medical school. It really bring up some bad past vibes when somebody brings it up. Sometime I feel like I need a therapist just to talk about my handwriting issues..ha.

 

[aSagacious]

If your biggest worry in this world is your penmanship, I think you're doing ok.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I've never had a problem with handwriting but...isn't it something you should be able to practice?

 

[zwitterion34]

Write slowly on assignments that need to be handwritten. 😎

 

[V5RED]

If you had ever graded papers, you would know how much it sucks trying to decipher chicken scratches. You are essentially forcing the grader to spend a lot longer on your exam than anyone else's because your handwriting is poor. Another issue is if the grader can't be absolutely sure of what you wrote it is impossible to give credit since he does not know if you really knew the answer. It is possible that he only thinks he is seeing the right answer because that is what was supposed to be where your scribbles are.

The real question is why you are not already working on fixing this. You know that your handwriting could kill your GPA and thus your shot at medical school.

 

[Stumpyman]

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Skill...4471/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317253241&sr=8-2

 

[Isoprop]

print in blocks and capital letters. it will force you to slow down and make it legible.

 

[AbbyNormal]

My son has a written language learning disability. IQ 130, good reading comprehension and gifted in math but he can't write worth a crap. He has been using a computer to do written work since third grade. Perhaps you might talk to the office of exceptional students at your university and explain the problem. Good luck.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Perfecting handwriting is like learning a language, it takes a long time ( and hey my handwriting used to be worse). Honestly if I slow down my handwriting does get better but most tests have a time limit. I am pretty sure I am going to take a course or something to fix this. I know it annoys some graders but the grand majority have stated they don't mind it. It really is a select few that have a problem with it. I don't write thinking how can I annoy my graders but sometimes a combination of nerves, bad spelling and time issues can really bring out the worst. Sorry graders, I just can't help it but I will try to fix it so it doesn't cause problems in the future.

 

[WorldChanger36]

My son has a written language learning disability. IQ 130, good reading comprehension and gifted in math but he can't write worth a crap. He has been using a computer to do written work since third grade. Perhaps you might talk to the office of exceptional students at your university and explain the problem. Good luck.

Not a bad idea. I will email them but I doubt they can do anything for me at this point.

 

[necoli]

I think I have very nice handwriting. Many disagree....

 

[AvidAvatar]

Something is wrong with my brain and my issue is that my handwriting has no consistency - every time I put a pen to paper I make letters differently. Sometimes I even mix it up from one sentence to the next.

As of now I write only in capital letters and that helps. This does take a while though. All this being said - I don't think I've ever had points taken off for it even at my worst - your writing must REALLY be bad.

 

[orthomyxo]

If your biggest worry in this world is your penmanship, I think you're doing ok.

first world problems

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Something is wrong with my brain and my issue is that my handwriting has no consistency - every time I put a pen to paper I make letters differently. Sometimes I even mix it up from one sentence to the next.

As of now I write only in capital letters and that helps. This does take a while though. All this being said - I don't think I've ever had points taken off for it even at my worst - your writing must REALLY be bad.

Im on the same line as you too haha. When you write in all caps I think you have a tendency to watch what you write more closely.

 

[kpcrew]

This has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. It's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if I were them, I wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.

I am honestly sick and tired of having to play catch up because my professor did not feel like trying to read anwser 3 and I don't want this to be a problem in medical school. It really bring up some bad past vibes when somebody brings it up. Sometime I feel like I need a therapist just to talk about my handwriting issues..ha.

Seriously what is this?

 

[Barcu]

This has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. It's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if I were them, I wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.

Seriously. I don't have amazing hand-writing but it's never illegible. The state of handwriting these days is atrocious. Having hand-writing that other people can read is important. It saves time and reduces errors.

Work on it.

 

[WorldChanger36]

This has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. It's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if I were them, I wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.

I can see you did not have anything better to do but good back to third grade and mock us kids with our bad handwriting. I really think your analysis of my handwritting being due to lazyness is off. I have tried to fix it before and I will again. I just figured why not bring it up because after all doctors do write a lot of handwritten notes and I would like people to understand me better. Hey how dare you call my professors old, they are youth challenged. Have some respect.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Seriously. I don't have amazing hand-writing but it's never illegible. The state of handwriting these days is atrocious. Having hand-writing that other people can read is important. It saves time and reduces errors.

Work on it.

I actual found a local course I am considering taking which will help. I am really worried about somebody not understand a dosage I write and screwing it up because of my handwriting. I feel good communication is important and I do want to set this straight.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

This has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. It's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if I were them, I wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.



Seriously what is this?

Wow really? Get a grip. Some people have problems with writing that stem from elementary school. Lazy? I know dozens of people who have bad handwriting and still make excellent grades. There's no correlation with being lazy and having bad handwriting at all.
The stigma that Doctors have bad handwriting? I'm not going to lie, when I'm volunteering at the E.D., most of their handwriting looks like ****. Are they lazy?
That Lazy part just irks me.
I wouldn't really classify it as a problem, but it would be an obstacle some people would have to get over.

 

[evans2000]

stop using computer to type and write things with your hand. The problem with most of us is that we grew up using computers to type and couldn't write with our hand anymore.....well goodluck

 

[kpcrew]

lmao it "irks" you?
Penmanship isn't something innate. You simply write more carefully and it comes out being more legible. This is not rocket science.
And yes some doctors should probably take more time to write things out. It's understandable since they have many patients to see and only so much time. But their sloppiness can lead to miscommunication, which can consequently lead to medical errors.

To dannydickman
I don't want to bump this stupid topic so here's my reply, but I hope you don't have the opportunity to read it.

post sample handwriting or gtfo.

Edit: I highlighted your text because that's exactly how I feel about this topic. Hence the bolded words above, directed at OP. Trolls be trollin'.

that's actually my text that he quoted without attributing it to me. "most foolish comment" "im tired of replying to people of your kind" DAS RACIST

Take the extra 2 seconds to make your writing more neat. This is a nonissue.

 

[WorldChanger36]

lmao it "irks" you?
Penmanship isn't something innate. You simply write more carefully and it comes out being more legible. This is not rocket science.
And yes some doctors should probably take more time to write things out. It's understandable since they have many patients to see and only so much time. But their sloppiness can lead to miscommunication, which can consequently lead to medical errors.

Handwritting is a bit more innate then you give it credit. You don't actively think about your handwriting as you write because it is habit. It can be hard even when concentrating to get some words to be easy to read. On tests I don't have the benefit of just slowing down and when the hand starts to get tired it can get bad. I understand that this is not something you have struggled with but I and other do. I am not claiming it is some kind of disabily and I am willing to fix it nor do I think professors should stop and spend more time trying to read my writing, if they can't read it... it is wrong and I am fine with that but when I show you what I wrote and ask if you can read it and you say yes and later take off points for handwritting I have an issue with that. I would like to make my handwritting issues a thing of the past and I can tell you this it is going to take a lot more than just writing more carefully. It is going to take time and effort to relearn how to write but it is important to me so it will get fixed. Think of it like relearning how to play the guitar after you found out you have been doing it wrong for 20 years. Have to change habits, hand positions and hand movements. We really take for granted our hands. Try writing with your non-dominate hand, over time and effort I bet you could get it to write as well as your dominate hand but no amount of slowing down and just "writing more carefully" is going to help at first.

 

[MShopes]

First of all, I would like to say that handwriting isn't something you can always improve; it is more of a talent. For those who are saying to write slowly to enhance the hand writing, I agree with this only in situations where you are not rushing to finish writing something. But what about during the exams? For sure nobody is going to write slowly if they are rushing to finish an exam.

My hand writing is terrible and I mean it. It can be read to most people but it gives them hard time a bit. One of my professors once said that she couldn't read my hand writing in an exam but she knew I'm smart so she just marked it right and trusted me lol. I believe that if a professor can't read something, he/she shouldn't grade it right or wrong but instead sit with the student and make them read it so that they can do justice in grading the exam or paper or whatever. For sure no student will want to have a bad hand writing because they won't be gaining anything out of it.

 

[Barcu]

First of all, I would like to say that handwriting isn't something you can always improve; it is more of a talent. For those who are saying to write slowly to enhance the hand writing, I agree with this only in situations where you are not rushing to finish writing something. But what about during the exams? For sure nobody is going to write slowly if they are rushing to finish an exam.

My hand writing is terrible and I mean it. It can be read to most people but it gives them hard time a bit. One of my professors once said that she couldn't read my hand writing in an exam but she knew I'm smart so she just marked it right and trusted me lol. I believe that if a professor can't read something, he/she shouldn't grade it right or wrong but instead sit with the student and make them read it so that they can do justice in grading the exam or paper or whatever. For sure no student will want to have a bad hand writing because they won't be gaining anything out of it.

No. Why should the professor do extra work?

Come on people. Your handwriting doesn't need to be perfect, but it needs to be legible. Yes, some people have a talent for it, but you can practice it.

Writing is a COMMUNICATION SKILL which is vitally important. You need to be able to do it, no excuses. There are numerous stories of medical errors due to poor handwriting.

Should I not fail an oral exam because I stumble over my words? But I can write it! 🙄

 

[Stumpyman]

First of all, I would like to say that handwriting isn't something you can always improve; it is more of a talent. For those who are saying to write slowly to enhance the hand writing, I agree with this only in situations where you are not rushing to finish writing something. But what about during the exams? For sure nobody is going to write slowly if they are rushing to finish an exam.

My hand writing is terrible and I mean it. It can be read to most people but it gives them hard time a bit. One of my professors once said that she couldn't read my hand writing in an exam but she knew I'm smart so she just marked it right and trusted me lol. I believe that if a professor can't read something, he/she shouldn't grade it right or wrong but instead sit with the student and make them read it so that they can do justice in grading the exam or paper or whatever. For sure no student will want to have a bad hand writing because they won't be gaining anything out of it.

So if one was to slowly hand write 10,000 words every day for a period of one year, one's hand writing would not be affected at all?

 

[MShopes]

So if one was to slowly hand write 10,000 words every day for a period of one year, one's hand writing would not be affected at all?

Probably it will be affected but do you think any one will do that? 🙄

 

[MShopes]

No. Why should the professor do extra work?

Come on people. Your handwriting doesn't need to be perfect, but it needs to be legible. Yes, some people have a talent for it, but you can practice it.

Writing is a COMMUNICATION SKILL which is vitally important. You need to be able to do it, no excuses. There are numerous stories of medical errors due to poor handwriting.

Should I not fail an oral exam because I stumble over my words? But I can write it! 🙄

And do you think any one want to have a bad hand writing? 🙄 Nobody wants to be in that position trust me.

I find it funny that those people who write in a good way are blaming us with all possible reasons such as being lazy to write neatly...etc. We are aware that we have a problem with our writing and we are also aware of any advice from people to write slowly, practice...etc. But if there was any way to improve our hand writing, we would for sure use that way.

BTW I rarely have a problem from a professor complaining about not being able to read what I wrote in an exam paper. I'm just saying that my hand writing is bad but not unreadable.

 

[MShopes]

This has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. It's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if I were them, I wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.


This has to be the most foolish comment in this thread. I'm too tired of replying to people of your kind but let say our hand writing is bad because we are lazy as you say...but what does that make you? Jesus?

 

[Barcu]

And do you think any one want to have a bad hand writing? 🙄 Nobody wants to be in that position trust me.

I find it funny that those people who write in a good way are blaming us with all possible reasons such as being lazy to write neatly...etc. We are aware that we have a problem with our writing and we are also aware of any advice from people to write slowly, practice...etc. But if there was any way to improve our hand writing, we would for sure use that way.

BTW I rarely have a problem from a professor complaining about not being able to read what I wrote in an exam paper. I'm just saying that my hand writing is bad but not unreadable.

Nowhere did I imply that people with bad handwriting are "lazy." I only said that if your handwriting cannot be read, then you need to improve your handwriting. No excuses. It's an important communication skill.

I don't even care if it's bad, as long as it's legible. Since you said that is rarely a problem for you, then your handwriting is probably good enough.

However, I do not have a ton of sympathy if you get marked down because the professor cannot read your writing, and I don't think the professor should go to great lengths to decipher what you wrote. That's asking too much. In a high-pressure medical setting, there is not always time to call and verify with the person who wrote the note.

 

[ManBroDude]

this has to be the dumbest "problem" ever. Your handwriting is bad because you're lazy. it's not hard to write neatly, you're just looking for an excuse for bad grades. Those professors are probably old so their eyes have a hard time reading printed words so how much harder do you think it is to read your crap? They also have dozens of papers to read and if i were them, i wouldn't go through the trouble of reading something you didn't care about enough to write legibly.


This has to be the most foolish comment in this thread. I'm too tired of replying to people of your kind but let say our hand writing is bad because we are lazy as you say...but what does that make you? Jesus?

post sample handwriting or gtfo.

Edit: I highlighted your text because that's exactly how I feel about this topic. Hence the bolded words above, directed at OP. Trolls be trollin'.

 

[isoquin]

Yes, it is something you can improve.

Yes, it is something you NEED TO improve.

If it's already affecting you in college across multiple readers, what do you think is going to happen when you're a med student writing notes? Or did you think you can just argue with the preceptor to get your grade changed when your patient is given the wrong medication due to your handwriting and has a horrible reaction?

Yes you need to work on improving it, and you can. Put in the time to change your habits.