Are there any reasonable/ responsible college students left?
Question:
- I thought question 3 on the test was too subjective - please change it or I'll complain to your department chair (it was covered in the book, in class, on the study sheet, and in the review session)
- I just realized I forgot to drop your class and am failing- can you get me in your (already full) class next semester and let me sit in and give me credit?
- I'm sorry I forgot to turn in XXX- I need to keep a 3.0 GPA with my scholarship. Could you count my 77average as a B?
Am I overreacting? I don't think I ever did this to any of my profs.
Answer:
These sorts of desperate emails are common at the end of a semester.
I think these types of pleas (or threats) are much more commonplace than in the past for several reasons, such as:
The nature of email itself. Prior to this type of quick, impersonal communication, students had to make an appointment with a professor, prepare for that appointment, and then marshal evidence to plead their case.
The consumer mentality. This mentality has crept into institutions of higher education over the past few decades. I struggle with it mightily. Students are actually fooled into thinking that they are purchasing an education, and "deserve" passing (or better) grades because they have desires that require these grades as a basic qualification (med school, law school, grad school, scholarships, etc.). This orientation, which has been fostered by privilege, helicopter parents, and the media, is usually referred to as a "culture of entitlement." Many articles have appeared on this topic in the last decades.
So as professors, what do we do about this?
- Make requirements clear on our syllabi. Anticipate problems, and articulate relatively inflexible policies to deal with them as they arise.
- Make clear to students that grades (and other privileges) are earned, not "given."
- Work with colleagues and chairs to make certain policies department-wide (or at least supported by chairs) so that cranky students learn that they cannot make an "end-run" around their professor by complaining to the chair.
Everything you've mentioned is, sadly, commonplace. We all hate these things. But they're occupational hazards we learn to deal with as best we can. And we must all do our best to keep uppermost in our minds the wonderful, inquisitive, dedicated students who make our jobs most meaningful, and keep us coming back to the classroom each semester with high expectations for our classes, and genuine interest in our students' progress. Surely this semester you've had quite a few of those students too. I know I have. I've just graded term papers for one course, and fully 1/3 of those research projects made me grin. They were great.
Anyway, keep your chin up. Remember how much you love what you do, remember how darn good you are at it, and do something kind for yourself over winter break. I promise you'll have a few great students again next semester. :)
I think you should ask these students to come on and talk to you. Ask them to tell you why they think they are right and you can tell them why you think you are right, and maybe work something out. After all these kids are your students and paying a lot of money to take your class, teach them right from wrong, even though that is not your job, they need to learn it from someone.
I agree. I believe that it is becoming more common for complaining and excuses.A lot of professors are now accomadating their students. As a student myself, it is always a struggle between understanding when to accept the situation and take responsibility,or trying to work with a professor to compromise on certain terms.
Not overreacting at all! I'm a senior (early childhood major), and I'm also 30 years old. I was a college drop-out years ago. I actually had a 1.6 GPA when I finally gave it up. I was just like the students you are describing. And here I am now, $10000 in student loan debt but much wiser and far more appreciative of my education.
I sometimes feel that I am one of the only students in my courses who does care so much. I am not willing to settle for less than an A, and it has taken me years to bring up that pathetic former GPA. I am now an honors student and tutor. I am often disappointed to see other EDUCATION majors acting in the same ways you described.
I say that you wouldn't be doing anyone any real favors by accepting their shady behavior or pathetic excuses, and surely your department heads would agree. Stick to your guns! We (students) pay very good money to attend college, and it shouldn't be something taken lightly. Not only that, but you are paid to teach, not listen to whiny complaints and deal with petty excuses and laziness. Let your students know this right from the start. If they think you are a hard sell, then maybe you won't have so many problems this time next semester.
Good luck! (Think: Christmas break is upon us! It is almost over!)
plainly not accept the late work. its really unfair to you
let them complain to the division chair what harm can it do since you covered yourself that well
Here's a qualitative observation as an instructor at a major East Coast University - this year's class is whinier than last year's, which was whinier than the year before.
That's a tough situation, because you still want to keep your integrity while at the same time, be a nice professor.
It's also not good to let students walk all over you, because word will come out and other students will come up to you in following years and say, "Well you had my friend Bob a year ago and he said you boosted him up 3 points..."
Decide what standard you want to set, and keep it. At the beginning of the semester, warn students about all these potential excuses that they might come up with later, and that you're letting them know FAR IN ADVANCE that you're not going to buy it and that you think you're doing them enough of a favor by warning them ahead of time.
Some people are stupid and never learn- it's just a fact of life.
Now of course, if you have a student whose parent is dying and they've missed a lot of class, I'd cut them some slack- it's the humane thing to do.
Good Luck!
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