fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2959 ]

[ SECRET POST #2959 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2959 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

__________________________________________________

02.

__________________________________________________

03.

__________________________________________________

04.

__________________________________________________

05.

__________________________________________________

06.

__________________________________________________

07.

__________________________________________________

08.

__________________________________________________

09.

__________________________________________________

10.

Notes:

Better early than late!

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 044 secrets from Secret Submission Post #423.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

My professor ripped apart my essay, which I had honestly felt had a really solid argument. I don't even get all of his criticisms. He actually wrote in his notes that it was "very disappointing" that I didn't use him as a source. I'm not saying he gave me low marks because he was mad I didn't include his work in my argument, but I'm timidly suggesting it. I tried to use his work, but honestly, it had nothing directly to do with the topic I was focusing on, and I ended up deleting it because I had a strict word count limit. I'm feeling really down, because my essays for my other classes went really well, and this much lower score is going to affect my overall marks. Just seriously bummed, and trying to convince myself that maybe my paper really wasn't that great and I deserved the low mark, and trying to make myself feel better by thinking he's horrible and unfair is extremely immature of me... but I'm just frustrated. The entire class grade was that paper, and I feel like I blew it.

It's not immature of you to try to improve your mood by thinking that he's horrible and unfair, because he is horrible and unfair. Seriously, who the hell comments on their student's paper by saying that it's "very disappointing" that the student in question hasn't used their work as a source?? This is a major dick move, and I wouldn't respect a professional who does that.

As a more or less chronic overachiever, I know how much of a disappointment such a thing can be. I'm sorry. I hope it doesn't have any major practical consequences for you in the long term.

Thanks. I mean, his critique mentioned some good elements, but a lot of negative stuff. I think I tend to take things too personally and get defensive, so I'm trying to keep a cool head, but I felt like his critique was kind of... personally charged. Like, the tone was harsh rather than impartial. I've been told a thousand times that academics can be a bit, err, snobby, and you know, whatever, I guess we just have to endure it. But I was really bothered that he flat out mentioned the fact that I didn't cite his work, when his work may have been on the same text, but it didn't really have anything to do with my topic. I actually spent a lot of time trying to think of ways I could work it in, but in the end I could justify it. Ugh. It very well could be that I just wrote a bad essay, but either way, it's frustrating.

I sort of know the feeling - the same thing hasn't happened, but I've been in similar situations where I haven't known if the issue was quality or a lack of proportionate ass kissing, basically. :/ What helped was knowing I did my best. Also, is there any way you can talk to your advisor? I know that's sometimes awkward, but in one case I certainly wish I had.

Thank you - yeah, I mean, I know I put a ton of work into the essay, and I spent a lot of time hammering out my argument, so I guess that's something to be proud of no matter what. Whether or not it means anything at this point, all of our essays must be read by two professors before we get the finalized grade, and I'm petty sure our current grades are only provisional (but I don't know how likely it is that they will change). We don't find out until the end of the year but at least there could be a chance that someone might think the paper is worth more than the current grade. I don't know if it's worth talking about it with my advisor, since it's hard to just prove I deserved better, but yeah, I don't know.

I've been told a thousand times that academics can be a bit, err, snobby

Yeah, no. Not more snobby than people in any profession that requires jumping through a bunch of hoops. If this happened the way you're describing it isn't normal.

Did he say why it was "disappointing," though? You're saying you didn't get his comment. Maybe he'd strongly suggested people use his work because it's the best source on the subject? It's generally a good idea to follow any and all advice they toss to you.

I hate professors like this. They're fucking impossible to write papers for. I had an English prof who was legit the fucking worst. I actually decided against pursuing my minor (after I'd already finished my major requirements and could graduate) because he was teaching one of the classes I needed.

Maybe some day I'll read in the paper that he's fuckin' dead and I'll go back and finish my minor.

Sorry, Anon, that sucks :(

However, no matter how good or bad your essay was a comment like that from your professor is just very unprofessional (especially if his material wasn't super relevant).

I don't know if this is possible for you, but I know that at my uni we can complain and ask for a second opinion regarding grades if we feel like something has been graded unfairly. So perhaps check out if something like that is applicable?

Thanks.

Actually, all of our papers have to be read by at least two professors before they get their final marks. So the marks we just got for last semester are still only provisional, because only the class professors have read them, I believe (at least that was true with my other two papers). So there might still be a chance that someone else will read it and think it's worth a better grade... and if they keep the same one, then I guess it probably means I deserved it. Unfortunately, I don't think we find out our finalized grades until the end of the year, but at least I can hope a bit longer.

...two professors? Are you confusing a professor with a teaching assistant?

No, it definitely has to be two professors.

Huh. Weird.

Tbh, I've never quite gotten over a paper that I was super proud of, thought was really well done, and had already had the writing tutor (another english professor) look over and tell me was solid a material come back to me covered in red, with strange remarks like 'where is your thesis' and 'this doesn't make any sense' and 'vermillion is green'. I got a D. I was too depressed about other things by the time I got the paper back (about three weeks after term ended, too) to really do anything about it, but I really wish I had.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ SECRET POST #2959 ]

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread

Re: Complaining thread