Over the past week or so I had students send in questions for me to answer. Although I did not expect them to put their names below the answers, students knew their questions would be featured in the Xavierite.
Below are the students who had questions for me to answer. They are all known as Anonymous…this should be interesting!
Dear Nermeen,
I am a Freshmen here at Saint Xavier and I would like to join a few clubs around here, maybe even run for something, but keep hearing that it can get in the way of my studies. Do you have any advice on how to shake the excuses out of me, and those who keep telling me that?
Anonymous.
Dear my freshmen friend,
I have been a board member on many of the organizations I joined. It was a thrill, provided a lot of insight, and brought me amazing opportunities.
However, being that involved did get in the way of my studies. But that’s me, and that’s me trying to commit to four or five organizations! Joining an organization or two will not hurt your studies if you do not have a lot going on already. What you should do is make sure you do not have too many responsibilities right now, so that you can commit to being, let’s say, President of one group and treasurer of another. My overall advice to you is to join one or two organizations (even as a board member), ones that you like and you can fully commit to, then if later on in college you want to add on and know you can handle it, go for it! As for that mentality, no one knows what you can handle but you! Organizations here at Saint Xavier stress “school’s first.†College is all about experiencing and learning from your mistakes and your achievements. If you do not join or try anything, then how will you branch out!
Best of luck Anonymous, you have a long, but experience filled way ahead of you!
Hope everything works out!
Dear Nermeen,
I got a grade on an essay that I cannot seem to let go. I knew I deserved a way better grade then I got. How do I approach my professor, without insulting him/her?
~Anonymous
Professors make mistakes all the time. Why? Because they are just as human as the rest of us. There are three steps that you should take in this plan to change your grade.
The first step is to take out the requirements for the paper, and grade it yourself. Did you really fulfill everything the instructor asked? If you did actually miss something, then calculate the points you would personally deduct from that mistake. After you have evaluated your own paper, the second step is to have a friend do it (but make sure they will be completely honest and do not just tell you what you want to hear). The third step is to then set up a time for you and your professor to meet. After or before class will not work because you need time to look that essay over. Express to your professor your reasoning, ideas, and purpose for writing this essay the way you did. Hopefully, the time you put in, and your reevaluation will help your professor reconsider. However Anonymous, if your professor does not reconsider, this is nothing to stress out about. Remember that life is filled with mistakes of all different kinds. If this essay is a little lower then you wanted it to be, make sure your next is higher than you thought it would be!
Best wishes!
Dear Nermeen,
I just realized that I am failing a class. I am so down about it, I can’t even focus. Any advice?
~Anonymous
Hey there. First I am sorry to hear that you are down in the dumps about failing your class. However, it is not over. We are leaning in towards finals as we speak, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to raise that grade, even to a D. Believe me when I tell you that you are not the only person failing a class. You are not alone. Things get tough, and priorities shift. However, now is the time more than ever to raise that grade up to the grade up so you can move on. You should go to your instructor immediately, email, phone call, whatever is available to you right now. Talk to your instructor about any possible changes in the syllabus, maybe a surprise extra credit opportunity. Even talk to him/her about throwing another quiz or assignment in the mix. The more points the better! If your instructor tell you that there is no time, then go over your graded assignments and look for lost points that should have not been lost. Sometimes, a grade is miscalculated.
This method only works in some cases, but I have miscalculated grades on my assignments before. If that does not work, aim for an A+ on that final, and talk to your professor about study habits and tactics. Study Anonymous, study like you have never studied before. Maybe you can get that grade up. An A on that final, and a sweet curve should mend your grade. It’s all about communication and hard work my friend!
Wish you well!
Dear Nermeen,
I am noticing that my homework list is piling up, especially with finals coming. There are too many things, and so little time. What to do and how to do it please!!
~Anonymous
Hey there my stressed out friend! I have to remind you the beach is waiting for you after your hard work and dedication for this year has paid off. But like I said it is waiting! Everyone is tired and running out of time right now, but now is the time to be on you’re A-Game!!!!
Do not give up when you are just getting there. Trust me, give up a little TV time, shave off some of that Facebook/Instagram time, and get to work.
It will all be worth it. Also, why complain about extra points. Remember that one assignment you just didn’t do your best on, well now is the time to make up for those points.
You want to know what I do when I need to get down to work? I get myself a large caramel iced coffee, cream and sugar, with whipped cream toppled so high its basically falling out of the cap, and a bowl of my favorite snack! I go through my homework in a mere few hours. I only get out of my seat, I don’t check my Facebook, I just get things done. Do not overwork yourself, and do not try staying up all night, but do try to remember that summer is coming, and you will have all the time in the world to do whatever it is you want!
Dear Nermeen,
I am getting an A in one of my classes, and am thinking about not going to the final. I have so much homework, studying, and work I can’t manage so I am really considering not showing up for the final. What should I do?
~Anonymous
Stop! Do not even think twice about it. Even with everything on your plate you cannot possibly skip the final. Even with an A, depending on the actual percentage grade it is, you may get a B in that class for no reason. Every instructor calculates differently. You can have an A, but that final could affect you way more than you yourself calculated. If you’re getting an A, you must have worked hard thus far or at least know the material that well, go to the final, and finish as early as you want.
Don’t get a zero, it will most definitely lower your grade, and have your teacher questioning why you were not there. Go there, take the exam, it might be everything you already studied, and leave. Even if you manage to do it in thirty minutes and get lower than an A, your grade won’t surprise you! Also, you mentioned work, school always comes first. Why are your stressing out about work, aren’t you going to school for the job you want? Go up to your boss, let him know you need to be in an out of work as fast as possible. I am sure you can manage something! There is always a way if you want there to be a way! Jeez, the things college students will come up with! Never miss the final, it’s the one test you really do not want to miss!
Nermeen Shaabneh
News Editor