The Crying and Begging

I've had students ask me to reconsider their final grade in the course before but I haven't actually had any show up at my office crying, begging, and outright asking me to manufacture a passing grade even though they aren't passing and have no hope of passing. Well, there is a first time for almost everything and today I had a student visit me exactly as I've described above. It was surreal.

Of course, the poor thing didn't realize that I am the wrong person to pull that with. While I am empathetic that she must be in distress because she isn't passing, my empathy doesn't extend to me handing out a grade she didn't earn. This student is so far away from a passing grade that even earning full credit on the remaining work won't be enough to get her a passing grade.

It must have been contagious today because another student came in, who happens to be passing, but who claims she "needs" an A and asked if I could just think about changing her grades or giving her some alternate assignments to make up enough points to get her an A. Of course I said "no."

I'm much better than I used to be because in the past all of the drama of the day would have me in a tailspin trying to figure out how to help these students. I'd actually lose sleep over it. However, it isn't the case anymore. I am desensitized thanks to the shenanigans of many students over the years.

I have to say, though, that the tears this morning were a nice touch. They dried up pretty quickly when she realized I wouldn't budge.