failing class, sent prof a email

[kordoISback]

i just meet with the prof today, he isnt going to make any expections for me, however he kept saying that it is possable to get a C, so im thinking if I go to office hours and getting A's on paper and high B or A on the final I will get a C in the class, even tho mathmatically I need to get 100s on all 3 essays and final to get the C, and thats like 69.5%

[tshort]

[ QUOTE ]
Dear Mr. XXXXXXX,

As you have seen by my first test result I am really having troubles in your course. The last day to withdrawal from a class is the 22nd which is coming up very quickly. I would really like to stay in your class for I do enjoy your lectures and teaching, however I am needing to maintain a certain GPA this semester and I'm afraid that continuing in this course will cause me not to achieve that GPA. Basically I need to get a "c" in this course and with the scores coming back from the 1st test and looking at the syllabus, I have come to the realization that getting a "c" in this course is pretty far fetched. From your style of teaching and the grading on the first test, I can tell that you are not one to give a grade unless the student has fully earned it. I am willing to work very hard and put in a lot of time to get this grade. If you feel that the possibility of getting a "C" in the class is unrealistic I understand completely. However if there is a possibility that I can earn a "C" in your class I am willing to work at it. I would like to meet with you in your office to discus if there is anything that can be done. Your offices hours Monday from 9-10 do not work for me because I have class from 9-9:50 however if I could make a appointment to meet with you that would be perfect. I am free anytime after 10 on Mondays, so just email me back a time after 10 that works for you and I will be there.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can see why you got a ~20% on an exam that is worth 1/3 of your grade. You should try more like this:

Prof. XXXX: (he does have a PhD, right?)

I want to discuss with you the past ECON 002 exam, my grade, and the remainder of the course, but I have a conflict with your regularly scheduled office hours. As I am considering withdrawing from the course, I was hoping to meet with you on Monday as that day is the withdrawal deadline. I am free any time after 10:00 if there is a time that works for you.

[Ganjasaurus Rex]

[ QUOTE ]
i just meet with the prof today, he isnt going to make any expections for me, however he kept saying that it is possable to get a C, so im thinking if I go to office hours and getting A's on paper and high B or A on the final I will get a C in the class, even tho mathmatically I need to get 100s on all 3 essays and final to get the C, and thats like 69.5%

[/ QUOTE ]
If i tell someone "it's possible to get a C", that is code for, "work your ass off and we might be able to fudge your grade up to a C". Of course, i would do this for any student, so it can't be construed as capricious.

Hopefully, he means the same thing. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Ganjasaurus Rex]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Dear Mr. XXXXXXX,

As you have seen by my first test result I am really having troubles in your course. The last day to withdrawal from a class is the 22nd which is coming up very quickly. I would really like to stay in your class for I do enjoy your lectures and teaching, however I am needing to maintain a certain GPA this semester and I'm afraid that continuing in this course will cause me not to achieve that GPA. Basically I need to get a "c" in this course and with the scores coming back from the 1st test and looking at the syllabus, I have come to the realization that getting a "c" in this course is pretty far fetched. From your style of teaching and the grading on the first test, I can tell that you are not one to give a grade unless the student has fully earned it. I am willing to work very hard and put in a lot of time to get this grade. If you feel that the possibility of getting a "C" in the class is unrealistic I understand completely. However if there is a possibility that I can earn a "C" in your class I am willing to work at it. I would like to meet with you in your office to discus if there is anything that can be done. Your offices hours Monday from 9-10 do not work for me because I have class from 9-9:50 however if I could make a appointment to meet with you that would be perfect. I am free anytime after 10 on Mondays, so just email me back a time after 10 that works for you and I will be there.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can see why you got a ~20% on an exam that is worth 1/3 of your grade. You should try more like this:

Prof. XXXX: (he does have a PhD, right?)

I want to discuss with you the past ECON 002 exam, my grade, and the remainder of the course, but I have a conflict with your regularly scheduled office hours. As I am considering withdrawing from the course, I was hoping to meet with you on Monday as that day is the withdrawal deadline. I am free any time after 10:00 if there is a time that works for you.

[/ QUOTE ]
You make a good point, but to be honest, i like his original email better. It comes across as being straightforward and honest about his situation. Of course, it is usually best to use Dr. or Prof. XXXX, but i personally could care less, as all my students call me by my first name anyway.

[cgrohman]

"however I am needing" = ,however, I need to

[Mason Hellmuth]

[ QUOTE ]
I didn't put a lot of effort into studying the first couple years in college. My grades were so so, nothing too great. The final two years I studied a bit more than I had previously, but the real difference maker was going to every class, asking questions, getting involved, and more importantly than anything - actually showing up to office hours each week and speaking directly with the professor.

After I got to know some of them from the frequent visits the discussions were not always about class subjects. Some helped me as references when looking for jobs. I got straight A's the final two years in school. I think more than anything the participation during office hours with the prof's made all the difference. It was amazing how many students were not going to office hours at all, like I had the first couple years.

[/ QUOTE ]
I thought the point of office hours was to get extra help when you actually need it, not to show up every week and hang out with the professor. Is this a common practice for students? Do professors consider this a good use of their time?

[RR]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I didn't put a lot of effort into studying the first couple years in college. My grades were so so, nothing too great. The final two years I studied a bit more than I had previously, but the real difference maker was going to every class, asking questions, getting involved, and more importantly than anything - actually showing up to office hours each week and speaking directly with the professor.

After I got to know some of them from the frequent visits the discussions were not always about class subjects. Some helped me as references when looking for jobs. I got straight A's the final two years in school. I think more than anything the participation during office hours with the prof's made all the difference. It was amazing how many students were not going to office hours at all, like I had the first couple years.

[/ QUOTE ]
I thought the point of office hours was to get extra help when you actually need it, not to show up every week and hang out with the professor. Is this a common practice for students? Do professors consider this a good use of their time?

[/ QUOTE ]

As you take higher level classes you need to go to office hours more and more. There will be some classes that the only way to really get stuff is go and talk it over with the prof.

[Mason Hellmuth]

[ QUOTE ]
As you take higher level classes you need to go to office hours more and more. There will be some classes that the only way to really get stuff is go and talk it over with the prof.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you talking about grad school, or upper-level undergraduate courses? I finished my B.S. a few years ago, and I never went to office hours. I don't feel that there are things I didn't get.

Anyway, I don't think that's what he was talking about. It seemed like he was advocating going to office hours every week, whether you have actual questions or not, which just seems like a waste of time for professors.

[Wyman]

[ QUOTE ]

I thought the point of office hours was to get extra help when you actually need it, not to show up every week and hang out with the professor. Is this a common practice for students? Do professors consider this a good use of their time?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is sometimes a common practice for students, but only when professors enable it. If a student has a specific problem or problems (s)he wants to talk about, I'm more than willing to talk about them in gory detail. If students show up with no questions though, I fully expect that the ensuing silence will be much more uncomfortable for them than for me, and they generally come more prepared the next time (or they don't come at all).

I had a professor who gave homework assignments so tricky that the only way to make progress on them was to go ask him for hints, which involved sitting through what amounted to another 2 hours of class a week in his office. Those who spent all their time in his office got good grades, and those who didn't didn't. All depends on the prof.

[RR]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As you take higher level classes you need to go to office hours more and more. There will be some classes that the only way to really get stuff is go and talk it over with the prof.

[/ QUOTE ]
Are you talking about grad school, or upper-level undergraduate courses? I finished my B.S. a few years ago, and I never went to office hours. I don't feel that there are things I didn't get.

Anyway, I don't think that's what he was talking about. It seemed like he was advocating going to office hours every week, whether you have actual questions or not, which just seems like a waste of time for professors.

[/ QUOTE ]

This was much more common in grad school, but my favorite prof as an undergrad made it so you weren't going to get an A if you didn't come ask questions and explore more on your own.