I'm sick of my instructor so much I want to quit college!!!! (page 2)

Sad emo

Hang in there FF. I've had similar problems with some of my tutors too.

Some are so picky that they nail every grammatical error (sometimes ones which even aren't actually too! - eg they would criticise me here for writing aren't instead of 'are not'). I've just been pulled up for not following proper footnoting conventions - hell, I've been doing them the same way for the past 6 years - as outlined in my student handbook - so I can't figure out what was supposed to be wrong with them!

Times like that - it gets me so fired up that I determine to do better next time where I can - other than that, I've done my best and I can do no more.

Maybe that's what your tutor is trying to do with you - maybe he knows you can do even better so he's pushing you - only thing is, it doesn't work for everyone, it can be a demotivator as in your case at the moment.

llbh

Hang in there FF i have had subjects and tutors like that and it is tough u know, but it is worth it in the end

David

snowbird

Hang in there, love.

I remember getting a B in English from one professor. I was demoralized!, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me; it taught me a lesson in humility. Prior to that, I thought I was a hotshot. Did that particular professor sense my hubris?

I would advise you the accept the criticism in a spirit of goodwill. You may be surprised at the outcome.

Sylvia

FreedomFrog

I suggest you have your assignments reveiwed by the writing lab before you submit them. While you may be irritated with him, your instructor is doing you a favor; writing is an incredibly useful skill is today's workforce.

I understand what you're saying, and I do appreciate the tips the professors give..but to take off points for every little thing is excessive.

I use OWL to check my assignments...more so for my finals but recently for everything I'm sending to him. When using the OWL, it normally comes back close to perfect. For example....

In the APA manual it says type "References" without the " : " and most instructors want it like that but he wants me to type "References:"

Another example, when I quoted, I used more of the person's quote later, in the APA book the second part of the quote, it said you should use only the year and not the name when adding onto the quote from the same person in the same paragraph.

For example, "quote whatever a person wrote (Smith, 2008)". And then I'd add my own words here then "quote a bit more of the guy's words (2008)".

I got docked for not adding "Smith" on the second quote which I don't think I should have...I really think it's right anyway.

I'm just feeling he's docking way too much. Going over the edge with criticism

daniel-p

Hah. APA is a source of consternation for many. I came across several instructors who weren't aware of an exception or what have you, so I bought the book and practically memorized it so I could always call them on their bullshit. Hang in there, college will be over soon enough.

FreedomFrog

Maybe that's what your tutor is trying to do with you - maybe he knows you can do even better so he's pushing you -

Hmmm, I hadn't really thought of it like that. I know that for the most part (as long as I take my time and reread) my papers come out perfect. I've been told I write very well by other instructors and they have been impressed. Oh, and I know what you mean about "had not instead of hadn't, or are not instead of aren't" but if I do accidentally put those in, OWL catches it. It's rare I use that in my papers anyway. It's the dang punctuation especially for the reference papers that get me into trouble.

I would advise you the accept the criticism in a spirit of goodwill. You may be surprised at the outcome.

I will try to accept it...I just hate REALLY hate my grade being so low...that is NOT me.

snowbird

will try to accept it...I just hate REALLY hate my grade being so low...that is NOT me.

Sylvia

daniel-p

Well Freedom, depending on whether you're in a prive or publlic university, most have an appealing option for students who have been "wronged" by negligent teachers. Like someone ementioed before, either re-engage the instructor and blow his socks off, withdraw from the course, or hope for the best and appeal your grade if it's the "worst." Believe me, everyone has had a class like this. I've done all sorts of things to keep my GPA relatively high. Sometimes it's not so much a matter of learning the material and performing well but being able to navigate the system and get on people's good sides.

Bring_the_Light

No offense, Bring the Light, but "genious" is spelled "genius". (Billy Corgan being one, so I forgive you.)

uhh, I did that on purpose, yeah, on purpose I say. Illustrating how it isn't a big deal to miss the mark from time to time.

JK666

FF,

The ultimate online resource for APA is Owl at Purdue. I had a P-R-I-C-K instructor about APA like you, and this helped a lot:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Hope this helps!

JK

I'm sick of my instructor so much I want to quit college!!!!

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