Tidbits, Resources, and Discussion for ELI Faculty

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Excuses, excuses

It's that time of the semester... assignments are pouring in, and I know you are all swamped with grading and, in some cases, finishing up summer course revisions, course copying, etc. as well. This is a tough time of year in part because everyone gets tired and cranky, and our students get full of annoying and exasperating excuses. So for those of you who like inspirational quotes (personally, I have an irrational fondness for them), here are two to help get you through this tough week:

"Do as much as you can and take it easy." (Jara Julku)

"Your own negativity, or others' around you, can very easily sink beneath your feathers and into your skin. It can sap you of your energy, strength, and imagination. So waterproof yourself. Flip it, and look at the bright side. Or if that fails, stuff your fingers in your ears and sing loudly." (Mina Parker)

Good luck this week! And if it helps to vent, post a comment with your most annoying or humorous student excuse.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hands down, the best student excuse i have ever received was, "I was going to write the paper, but it just didn't seem like something i'd enjoy."

In fairness, I don't think an 8-10 page paper is something i would enjoy, either.

Runner up: "I used 14 point font so that you could see it better."

Frankly, i was touched by this student's concern for my vision.

Happy grading, everyone!

Anonymous said...

Joe Ferrari, who did two presentations on procrastination at New Horizons (I posted about them earlier) gave us a "top 10" list of academic excuses:

10. Today, I'm not that inspired.
9. I'm not that motivated.
8. At the moment I don't feel like it, and so I'd better do it tomorrow.
7. I intend to start tomorrow, for real.
6. I don't have to get started yet. There's enough time!
5. It's just no use. It's too late anyways now.
4. That's just the way I am. I'm just a procrastinator. I can't change that.
3. I always did it this way and made it through high school!
2. Everyone I know procrastinates.
1. Planning, I just don't believe in it.

Jennifer Lerner said...

LOL, Jennifer... I love that first one!

Karen Walters said...

"I checked the syllabus and it doesn't say anything about failing the exam if I talked on my cell phone during the exam."

Did I mention that he was talking to a fellow classmate who had just finished her exam?