The one time I asked for an extension, I got screwed. There were 3 papers in the class, prof had been super slack about late papers, so I decided, in the midst of a show, that I would turn the paper in late and take the hit. I had a thesis, had marked my quotes, just couldn't motivate. Go to class the next day, go to the prof afterwards to ask whether the late policy is per day late or class day late (with a tues/thurs class, I either had to write it that night, or would have the weekend). He says "I'm not taking late papers. If it's not in my box by 5, I won't accept it". It was 1:15 PM.

My BFF who was in the class with me, started saying "you can do it, if you turn SOMETHING in, it's better than an F" etc. I said "I need some lunch." She stared at me and said "okay". So, I had some lunch, calmed down, then went to the lab and started writing the paper at 2PM. At 4:45, I printed off 11 pages (didn't even read it over), left all of my shit in the lab, and Flo Joed it across Grounds to turn in the paper. I came running/falling into the English office at 4:58, gasping. Secy told me to calm down, and initialed the paper for 4:59. End of story, right? No.

Next class, prof says "there are 90 people in this class, I only got 45 papers. Any late papers will be heavily penalized" I was LIVID. I was actually too pissed to talk to him. I went to see him the next day, but he'd been hospitalized for some surgery, so I talked to the TA, explained the situation, and asked for the opportunity to do a rewrite. He said I could, and I got an A-. Which pissed me off, because I could have gotten an A!!!

::sits quietly in corner. anyone who tries to return me back to my employer may become damaged.::

::scoops brain up with spoon::

But, generally, students have this entitlement thing. I have had FOUR students drop out of my summer program after committing because they got "better" offers. They think it's okay if they say that they're sorry.

Please note, I am not saying that other people shouldn't ask for extensions or are evil or anything. Just that I myself am so mindlessly rule-abiding that I tend to not even consider the possibility, unless something ACTUALLY huge happened.

Like, when my grandmother died during finals week freshman year...I arranged to take one exam two days early, and my mom came out and packed my room up while I took my last exam and then we drove to the funeral. (of course, the one I took early was a MULTIPLE CHOICE philosophy intro final, so it's not like it was hard)

meara, there's a lot of people who've been in your type of situation who would have asked to take the tests afterwards and I, personally, think that would have been more than fine. What I could not believe were the entitled little wretches who wanted an extra week because they were going skiing in Vail the week before an exam/paper due and felt the prof should either let them take/turn it in late or(!) change the due/test date just for them. All because "I won't have time to study/write it" over the weekend.

I am not saying that other people shouldn't ask for extensions or are evil

Oh yeah, I wish I'd had the confidence in uni to actually ask for things. Once, I lost fifteen percent on a paper because the lecturer said I'd used double the word limit. Um, no, I'd double spaced it, douchebag. But I didn't question it because I 'didn't want to bother him'. Me six years ago was kind of a tool. More of a tool, anyway.

I also think that there is a huge difference between asking about a grade because you truly think that there may have been a mistake (as in the case of Emily's student) and asking because you think you're too smart to get what you got (not talking about anyone here--purely talking about past students).

I think it's all about the attitude the student has when s/he approaches me. "Can you help me to understand this grade?" is very different than "I deserve a better grade."

Also, I have no issue with someone coming to talk to me about an extension. I will, and have, given them if I feel there is a good reason, and I'm always happy to have the discussion.

Oh, I lived far away, so taking later wasn't really an option, Sail. But like I said...it was an easy class. (Honestly, i was kinda pissed that a college course, at a good school, even a requirement, involved multiple choice exams. OTOH, I'm very very good at multiple choice exams, so at least it was an easy A)

I think it's all about the attitude the student has when s/he approaches me. "Can you help me to understand this grade?" is very different than "I deserve a better grade."

Yes, yes and hell yes.

Also, I think that I can (and should) expect my law students to have time management skills that a high school or undergraduate may not yet have, so I wouldn't expect to apply my rules to Kristin's students.

Other thing that's driving me batty -- my students are required to maintain a certain GPA to keep their scholarship (tuition, fees, room, board, books). Their GPA is calculated every year, and based only on the fall and spring grades of that year. They are informed every year that there is no appeal process.

I have had SIX students come to me and tell me that they're losing their scholarships and is there anything that they or I can do. This is before the official notice is out. I'm sure that I'll have more soon. ARGH.