I think I may be failing my Master's Degree

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KevLibraryGuy
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25 Mar 2011, 4:15 pm

I'm in the last semester of the last year of my Master's Degree (Library Studies), and I'm now scared that I might not be doing as well as I had hoped. Earlier today, I was at the library looking up potential texts to examine for the final assignment of one of my courses. My professor came in nearby and began talking to an undergrad, who was expressing some doubts about his area of study. She was telling him not to worry, saying that not everybody would be graduating this year, before looking across at me an adding "Right Kevin? Not everyone will be graduating this year?" I gave her a polite nod, but what she had said unsettled me. In this particular course, I've had to do weekly mini-assignments, and my feedback on these assignments hasn't always been exemplary. If my professor was implying what I think she just implied, then maybe I'm doing worse than I expected.

Just as a point of reference, I spent the weeks prior to this one going into anxiety over ending my school year- of going out into the scary world of searching for a career. After some professional development classes and a job shadowing session, I can safely say that I'm behind all that, and am eager to go into the professional world. But now that I've heard this seeming implication of not getting a passing grade, it feels like life is just playing a cruel joke on me now.

I don't know what to do. I can't bear to one day tell my parents I didn't get a passing grade. I don't want to have to bear the humiliation of not being at the convocation with the rest of my friends. I just don't know what to do anymore.



Chronos
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25 Mar 2011, 4:41 pm

KevLibraryGuy wrote:
I'm in the last semester of the last year of my Master's Degree (Library Studies), and I'm now scared that I might not be doing as well as I had hoped. Earlier today, I was at the library looking up potential texts to examine for the final assignment of one of my courses. My professor came in nearby and began talking to an undergrad, who was expressing some doubts about his area of study. She was telling him not to worry, saying that not everybody would be graduating this year, before looking across at me an adding "Right Kevin? Not everyone will be graduating this year?" I gave her a polite nod, but what she had said unsettled me. In this particular course, I've had to do weekly mini-assignments, and my feedback on these assignments hasn't always been exemplary. If my professor was implying what I think she just implied, then maybe I'm doing worse than I expected.

Just as a point of reference, I spent the weeks prior to this one going into anxiety over ending my school year- of going out into the scary world of searching for a career. After some professional development classes and a job shadowing session, I can safely say that I'm behind all that, and am eager to go into the professional world. But now that I've heard this seeming implication of not getting a passing grade, it feels like life is just playing a cruel joke on me now.

I don't know what to do. I can't bear to one day tell my parents I didn't get a passing grade. I don't want to have to bear the humiliation of not being at the convocation with the rest of my friends. I just don't know what to do anymore.


Why don't you arrange a meeting with her to get some feedback on your grades.



jagatai
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25 Mar 2011, 4:45 pm

That's stressful.

It's hard to guess what the professor might have been thinking. On the one hand, she might have been attempting a lame and cruel sort of joke. On the other hand, she really doubts your ability to pass and is trying to push you to do better. Regardless, the stress that this puts on you can only hurt. I think your best option is to contact the professor as soon as you can and ask her directly what she meant. Don't be confrontational, just inquire if she feels you are slipping in some way and ask what she can recommend to help you pass. Let her know that her comment caused you stress and that you need to get a clear idea of what is going on so that you can properly focus on your studies and not on her remark.

Good luck.


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poppyfields
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25 Mar 2011, 4:48 pm

I agree, talk to your professors about where you stand, what you need to do to graduate, how you can incorporate their suggestions. Be proactive.



Lene
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25 Mar 2011, 5:15 pm

My guess; probably a lame joke. Bit moronic of your professor



lotuspuppy
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25 Mar 2011, 5:30 pm

Your professor was way out-of-bounds. Even if she thought you were failing, she should have asked to meet with you. She shouldn't have implied it to you like that, let alone potentially embarrass you in front of another student.

I would schedule a meeting with her and tell her how you feel about the incident. Leave grades asside at first, and just tell her that her joke was both confusing and degrading. Chances are she will apologize and explain what she really meant. Short of you sleeping with her husband, only a real megabitch would hurt your feelings without provocation.



AngelRho
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25 Mar 2011, 5:38 pm

I think she was just being humorous



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25 Mar 2011, 5:44 pm

You should talk to your professor about your worries.


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26 Mar 2011, 11:54 pm

CockneyRebel wrote:
You should talk to your professor about your worries.


+1



KevLibraryGuy
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27 Mar 2011, 5:36 pm

I'll be meeting with her tomorrow to discuss the topic of my final assignment. I'll bring the subject up with her then.