College, papers, & disappointment

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Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

0 posted 2005-11-09 11:21 AM

I have been working on my masters for awhile now.  Did all the classes except 2 then took a 3 year break.  I decided last semester to do the last 2 classes...Financial Management and Accounting (one class at a time).  My two worst subjects.

I am currently in the Finance class and not doing so hot.  However, we had a paper to do.  I thought, "oh good, I can pick my grade up with a paper, I do much better at writing papers."  Well...
My confidence is crushed.  He gave me an 85 on the paper and when I asked what I had missed/done wrong he said that it wasn't that I missed anything only that he grades by comparing and there were other papers that were better.

That made me feel worse.

I am so discouraged with my inability to understand Finance and my obvious over estimation of my paper writing abilities.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2005-11-09 11:40 AM

85 is BAD?

I would have been overjoyed!

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

2 posted 2005-11-09 11:48 AM

Consider it in this context:

I got a 64 on the mid-term.  Because he curved that is one point from a C.  I really needed/wanted an A on the paper.  I thought I did a really good job.

I realize I can't have it both ways.  His curving allowed me to pass the mid-term yet the same "curving" got me an 85 on the paper...

*sigh*

I am just so disappointed with myself.

inot2B
Member Elite

since 2000-09-18

Posts 2205
Arkansas

3 posted 2005-11-09 01:43 PM

One must remember, if the majority of a class makes a failing grade then the teacher is not doing his/her job correctly. That could mean they may lose their job. So the curve is used in test to make sure that enough students pass.
Be glad that life is not being graded by someone who is here just for a paycheck.
Good luck and do the best you can and know that's what counts.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2005-11-09 02:20 PM

Well, I never did go back and complete what I needed for the standard California teaching credential (not to mention moving ten times) or my Masters in Public Health Education, for which I only needed three more courses to complete.

I got fed up with theory classes and BS from an advisor who disagreed with most of my goals/plans for LIFE. At least, you went back and are attempting to finish the school 'job' and move forward.
As for grades, I think most grading systems suck....rarely show what you know or don't know, rarely indicate what your chances of success are in the paid real world.
And I would grin myself silly in a financial management class if I got over a 50%! LOL, but that's just me. I rarely attempt to balance or budget anymore, because when I do? I just prove to myself in writing that I am almost always, always, getting paid HALF what I need or should get, and generally spend TWICE what I really have.

So is that why I am poor????

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

5 posted 2005-11-09 02:45 PM

Y'shoulda wrote a poem.

Now THAT would have been different.

Now c'mere Susie-C.

We know yer brilliant, and you should ask him to read it again.

Tell him that good financing requires a doublecheck. (Or izzat BAD financing?)

hugs you

Tracey
Member Elite

since 2001-08-29

Posts 2808
where insanity meets breeding

6 posted 2005-11-09 11:56 PM

I hear ya Susan. I've been working on my Masters for 3.5 years now, and I'm finally in my last 4 weeks...woohoo!! Some of my grades have been great, and some have not. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. (My weakness was stats, and I KNOW I should have failed that course, but ended up with a grade that just passed). If finance isn't your strength, then be proud of that 85%, it's still a good grade, particularly for someone whose interest doesn't lie in finance. Give yourself a pat on the back woman....ya done good!!!
(and for what it's worth, my attitude lately has been "no-one ever asks what grade you got", so I do the best I can in the time I have and I've stopped sweating it trying for perfection

)

You can never win or lose
If you don't
Run the race

Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

7 posted 2005-12-09 11:11 PM

Finished that Finance class...and passed!! Got a C though..dang it (first C as a grad student).

Anyway..Managerial Accounting is next semester then I am done..

Any Accounting Majors out there willing to stand by to help?

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

8 posted 2005-12-09 11:38 PM

Susan...I'm proud of you for going back to complete your masters. Something that I wish I had the courage to do is just to get the few units left that I need to complete my BA. You did do good....one more class to go and ...did you say you're haveing a pip party? Whhaaa hoooo!!

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

9 posted 2005-12-10 07:48 AM

A "C" means you understand the core of a subject.  Though you may not be able to explain the core to someone who doesn't know it, you still can make use of the information.

Sorry I can not help you with Accounting.  I always believed it was better to rent one than to be one.

You will finish this and be done with the process.  I will be in the cheering section (but I am not wearing the little skirt nor carrying pom-poms, OK?)

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

10 posted 2005-12-10 09:16 AM

Susan...I'm so proud of you! Someday I'm going to go back to school...just to give 'em hell, I think.

Or maybe, just for myself!

We are ALL very proud of you!

.

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

11 posted 2005-12-10 03:24 PM

(does happy dance) Yay! Oh Susan, we're all soooooooo proud of you! (angel achievement hugs) Why is this an Alley thread anyway, the Lounge is where we should host this celebration party, yay!

I finished my latest trimester with three A's (Ecology of War and Peace, Motivation, Public Speaking) and a B+ (Minorities).

Love,
Noah Eaton

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

majnu

Senior Member

since 2002-10-13

Posts 1088
SF Bay Area

12 posted 2005-12-11 04:53 PM

what school are you going to where a c a pasing grade in grad school?

-majnu
--------------------------------------
Timid thoughts be not afraid. I am a Poet.

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

13 posted 2005-12-12 02:08 PM

I believe the way it works at the school I attend is that your GPA has to be B or better...or 3.0.

I am down to the last class, which is actually a class I failed the first time (I am not kidding when I say my mind has a problem wrapping around Finance and Accounting)...anyway, with the exception of that accounting class and this Finance class I have received an A in all the rest of my classes. Therefore, before this C in finance, my GPA was a 3.44 (all A's and one F). This next semester I will take the Accounting class over and hopefully do much better. As Long as my GPA is 3.0 I am okay. Maybe not where I wanted to be but okay.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

majnu

Senior Member

since 2002-10-13

Posts 1088
SF Bay Area

14 posted 2005-12-12 10:50 PM

lucky. a friend of mine got a c and they told him to retake in teh next offering.

btw is this for an mba or a masters in accounting? i am curious because I am htinking of picking up an mba once i get pass my quals for appl phys.

-majnu
--------------------------------------
Timid thoughts be not afraid. I am a Poet.

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

15 posted 2005-12-12 11:31 PM

Oh man, Susan, you are not alone. The entire subject of MATH just does not like my brain very much at all. *grin*

Numbers are not my thing.

But I am so very proud of you and agree with so much of what Kacy said up there.

And yes, I understand about that curve, was there myself and he gave me 2 points below passing (OMG, grrrrrrrrrr) and I am taking THAT course again in January!

*sigh*

(not even one I need either)

Be proud of yourself and I do not want to hear that failure/disappointment stuff.

You are accomplishing so much.

Much more than many people do in a lifetime.

And no, sorry, I suck at Math, really bad.

Any Math instructors out there?

*grin*

(Good Luck)

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

16 posted 2005-12-13 07:59 AM

Sue- I actually like math, not saying I am good at it but I *gasp* enjoyed Stats and Calculus. It is Finance and Accounting that leaves me babbling in a corner, especially when it is applied to Corporate USA...But I am happy to hear that someone else can have the brain block with a certain subject...
and thank you for the encouragement..

My sense of failure stems from the fact that I took all those classes and had a 4.0 then *bam* suddenly I have a 3.44 but I am over it...I just want to finish..

Majnu~ My masters is a Masters in Contract Management. This is a career focused degree as I am a Contracting Officer for the Dept. of the Navy. I am setting myself up (hopefully) for a nice little career after the career, consulting...for the other side.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

17 posted 2005-12-13 06:03 PM

*gasp*

I found me a Math whiz!

*clutching Susan*

LOL - I have to take what you had troubles with . . . again.

And yes, done with for sure but I understand, I was never a bad student and was horrified when I actually failed a course!

Blew me mind . . . felt so stupid OMG

(way too mean to myself, see?)

You will be fine . . .

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

18 posted 2005-12-14 07:11 AM

LMAO

no, no, no....

Understand, I like math, I am not that great in it..

By the way, when I failed that accounting class I stopped working on my masters..for three years! LOL Had two classes left and just stopped.

The things we do to ourselves.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

littlewing
Member Rara Avis

since 2003-03-02

Posts 9655
New York

19 posted 2005-12-14 02:24 PM

*smiling here*

only because I put this ONE course off for a year!

lucky
Senior Member

since 2000-01-17

Posts 1601
Idaho

20 posted 2007-12-06 02:46 PM

sorry... I just don't care for teacher's that grade by comparison... unfair..! it's not a competition forum..!!!

lucky

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

21 posted 2007-12-06 03:00 PM

Agreed Lucky...

But I finished my Masters awhile ago so it's all good...

If I were any good whatsoever in public speaking I would become a professor and be the one they all want to take to raise their GPA!

Someone has to off set the skewed!

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

22 posted 2007-12-06 04:39 PM

'Atta girl!!!

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

23 posted 2007-12-07 01:15 AM

Susan, I have total sympathy with you here as accounting was the thorn in my side to complete my undergrad degree years ago. Luckily, I got a different profession for 2nd and 3rd quarters who was willing to work with some of us after class and explain the mechanics in a way that made a whole lot more sense. It helped alot because he taught in a very visually perceptive way and I suppose that's kind of how I think. I thought I would never get through the final though as that was back in the day when you were not permitted to use calculators. Good luck, I'm sure you'll make it! *hugs*....jo

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

24 posted 2007-12-07 01:17 AM

LOL.....I just went back and read all the posts and realized you're all done! Way to go, Susan!

rwood
Member Elite

since 2000-02-29

Posts 3793
Tennessee

25 posted 2007-12-07 06:08 AM

Wow! Don't knock that 85. I think that's awesome! Money management and knowledge of finance happen to be very important factors of struggle facing the average American, so don't feel alone about your grasp of the concept of finance.

Lemme tell you a little secret: There are financial offices across the U.S. that would LOVE to receive an 85 from the state and FDIC auditors on loan compliance and operations, especially since many are in the C-D region of operation. F gets the doors closed with possible jail time.

I think your B is beautiful.

I feel for you on accounting, because the ticking of the flying numbers puts me to sleep. But you can do eeet!

btw, math kicked my ass in college and I cried for two days when I knew I'd lost my 4.0. I just made peace with it since I passed and gave it my best shot.

some things we're gifted with and some things wrap us up like flaming poopoo on a doorstep.

Put me OUT! of my misery...hehe.

love,
reg

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