Final papers

My poor College Comp students.

Some are rather displeased over their grades on their final research papers. I truly feel bad for them, but when few bothered to cite their works correctly, use proper in-text citations, or analyze, it is hard for me to sympathize with them.

I gave them a checklist specifically stating exactly what was necessary to have done on their papers in order to receive a passing grade.

Yet, few put in the effort to do so.

I had one disgruntled student who took exception to my comment, “Had you not cashed it in a month ago, this paper might have stood a chance.” I’m not trying to be mean. I’m just being honest. God help them if they turn such work in at a real university.

I think they tend to fall in the trap (and our schools and parents tend to reinforce this foolishness) that just because they try, they deserve to pass.

I really enjoyed my classes and the kids were great, but these papers really illustrate those who paid attention and put the effort in and those who, well, cashed it in.

I did have one student who came in with their paper late. They worked to finish it right in my classroom, asking me questions about how to cite and if a novel title should be underlined or what. Of course, this is something we have gone over at least a dozen times. Not to mention that we’ve written several themes analyzing stories and films in which this was discussed.

“I’m going to get an F on this,” they said.

While I’m not pleased with that, at least they have no false sense of reality. They too cashed it in about a month ago.

This is not uncommon in my College Comp class. It takes them awhile to adjust to what it means to really work and write at a college level. Some never make that adjustment.

Now, there were many good ones and a couple outstanding ones that would have been true A's at any university in the state. It's just that I'm a bit like the Oracle from the Matrix, I hate giving good people bad news.