I'm wondering because I completely bombed my first biochem midterm, and after talking to the teacher about it, he said as long as I can do above average on the next midterm and the final I should be fine. However, I just took the second midterm today, and while I didn't completely bomb it, I don't think I did well enough to significantly boost my overall grade. So I plan on studying my ass off in hopes of acing the final, and in the likely event that won't happen, I'm going to need a back-up plan.

This class is extremely important, because I need to pass it to graduate. If I don't graduate, then I can't go to Japan with the JET program in July (if I'm offered a spot, which I think I most likely will be). I haven't been slacking off, I've been doing what I always do that usually gets me an above average grade. I understand the material. It's just something about his exams that don't click with me. I'm a good student, I have a 3.7 gpa. I'm doing my best. Do you think if I explain this all to him we can work something out? Or are professors generally cold hearted people who love to see their students fail?

It depends on the professor. Some will boost your grade if you show up every day and kiss ass, while others leave it up to cold, hard numbers. You can get a feel for which kind they are by talking to them one on one. If they are sympathetic to what you're going through, which your professor seems to be, you'll be OK.

If its a dude professor who isn't ancient, try showing a little skin too. Since you're a female you at least have that advantage.

But seriously, what Usurper said is usually true, some teachers will pass you if they know you worked hard and showed up every day, especially if you explain the importance of the class.

If you know the material, but don't do well on the tests, there's something wrong with your understanding of the tests. Ask the professor - if he would help you, talk to him, try to explain what you would answer, and understand why your answer isn't good enough - that's the best way to learn.

If he won't, well, try getting the exam notebook from someone who aced it.

Wait, how is it not possible? All you need to get is a D (that's passing right?). That's what you're shooting for right? Or are you shooting to maintain your GPA. Match your goals. Because in reality, I think you just want to maintain your GPA.


Now if you're looking for a counter balance your test grades. Look at the requirements in the class. If there are participation points, raise your hand 10 times a day (if it isn't lecture induced). Go to the teachers office everyday and ask him about stuff you don't know (or ANYTHING). If you get really crazy about it, ask him to do an independant research project. Also, study 2-4 hours outside of class. If it's extremely important then do all of this. But if you just need a D, then just do average work. Simple as that.


Profs at my college are really nice and help you through a lot. I honestly think having a friendship with some raised my grade a bit or they were more sympathic when grading my work.

yeah just be all..."i need to study your biology...and here are some chemicals to help" and hold up a bottle of wine or something

I need a 2.0 to move on to the next course in the sequence. The average is set to 2.9, but I performed well below average on the first exam (scored 12% and the average was 53% >_<). I was going to talk to him if the grade I got on this exam is below average again.

The course grade is divided up 25% each midterm, 45% for the final, and 5% for this easy project I should be doing right now. >_>

I've never actually talked to him in person before, but he doesn't seem like such a hardass, so maybe it'll be ok. All I want is a 2.0, I don't care about my gpa.

thats what you get for ditching class so often, not understanding the material well enough to pass tests

bummer but you brought it on yourself and there is not much you can probably do

Where in 'I haven't been slacking off' do you draw that conclusion?

Probably because I made a topic about skipping class.

Oh sure, go and make me look bad.

I've found that female professors from mainland China do not give any leeway when it comes to grades/points, and will not allow them to be up for discussion, even when there has been a mistake. Aside from that, it really depends on who it is and how much they like teaching. Usually grad students who are bitter about having to teach are inflexible.

That said, I get away with waaaaay more than I should in terms of late work, extensions, and missing class.

I find thye same thing.
Holy crap...same with Indian women. Well everything other than the grad student comment. I've always had great TAs who were really helpful.

Just go talk to the guy.

I didn't say that all grad students have sticks up their asses, just the ones who don't want to be teaching in the first place.

So I guess I'm having cocoa with him tomorrow after class?

From my experience, the fewer tests a professor gives, the less likely he/she is to give extra credit and the like. More frequent tests make for less material study per test, more chances to raise your grade, etc. Since you only have 3 tests (unless I'm not understanding correctly), and only mid-terms and finals at that, you may be dealing with a bit of a hardass. I can't really say, though.

If cocoa is a metaphor for blowing him, then yes, you should have cocoa with him.

All joking aside, I wonder how often that does work? How scruptulous are college professors about things like that? Because if I was a professor...there would be a lot of girls with low grades passing my class

This has all the beginnings of a bad porno.

Sounds like good porno to me.

Her prof is probably calling up Bookworm Bitches as we speak...

So he kind of scolded me for not going to review sessions or forming a study group, but he seemed to understand since I've always done well in other classes and he said he was an independent studier in college too. He said we can talk again when I get my exam back, but as long as I do well on the final, I'll probably be fine. He said they'd probably even bump up my grade if I was close enough to getting 2.0.

So, what did that cost you?

Kidding, I tend to think if the teacher isn't a complete ass and you visit them often(and ask questions about assignments, tests or anything really). They tend to be more sympathetic. Granted this isn't the case EVERY time but if they are nice enough it will happen more often then not.

EDIT: I don't mean about giving extra credit though. I've never had any professor give extra credit. I meant they tend to grade your work more leniently.

This will probably end up happening to me.

I'm going to try to take Shocka's advice and study 2-4 hours every day until the final. If you guys see me lurking around here tell me to go study!