Missed a final exam -- what happened?

[Anonymous]

I misread my watch and sat outside the room where my Statistics final was supposed to be starting in an hour -- but it actually was going on right then. I figured it out and ran in panicked an hour late. Since no one had left, they let me take the test. I finished early and the RA called me later that week and told me I had scored the highest grade on the exam.

[Anonymous]

I missed a final in college once. It had been rescheduled to an earlier date from the university scheduled time. Somehow I missed the announcement. My professor called me to ask why he was missing my exam. I said, “but the exam isn’t for another week.” I panicked for a minute—but he let me take it. This was at the University of Rochester.

[Anonymous]

My son didn't do this but he did skip every lac/recitation section of a class for most of a semester because he forgot to put it in his Google calendar. The instructor could have failed him but let him squeak by with a C+ so he wouldn't fall behind. He certainly knew the material, just is not the most organized person. Things got better after freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Professor here: I’m at a large public R1 and wouldn’t definitely allow a student to take the exam under those circumstances.

Wouldn't or would?

Sorry, should be would

[Anonymous]

The final exam schedule is often a different time and day of the week, compared to the regularly scheduled class. It’s easy to get confused, especially if the teacher doesn’t mention the day and time in the last class prior to the exam.

[Anonymous]

I wish more colleges would allow self-scheduled exams! My son is at a school with a strict honor code, and with self-scheduled exams he doesn't have to worry about missing one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is absolute nightmare fuel for many people. I guess it must happen in real life for an unlucky few. Everyone else just has terrible dreams about it!

That’s what I was thinking! This is a recurring dream several decades after graduating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Professor here: I’m at a large public R1 and wouldn’t definitely allow a student to take the exam under those circumstances.

*would

I'm guessing it would depend for many professors on the type of student it was. If it's a kid who had already missed tests/slept thru them/asked for extensions for various reasons/one who didn't attend many classes vs a good student who came to office hours, works hard, asks questions, completed all work on time, etc. My kids have found that professors are more willing to extend assistance to kids who they know are working hard, actually attend class, turn in all HW (even if it's not all required), take all test/quizzes even when you get to drop one, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son didn't do this but he did skip every lac/recitation section of a class for most of a semester because he forgot to put it in his Google calendar. The instructor could have failed him but let him squeak by with a C+ so he wouldn't fall behind. He certainly knew the material, just is not the most organized person. Things got better after freshman year.

And. student like that would likely not be given any assistance if they slept thru an exam. All 3 of my kids have learned (at smaller schools) that you go to all lab/recitation/discussion section because if you ever struggle they are more likely to make an exception/give you a way to bring your grade up than a student who never attends most sessions. Most profs/tas want to see students learn and will go above and beyond to help a kid who is making 110% effort

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Professor here: I’m at a large public R1 and wouldn’t definitely allow a student to take the exam under those circumstances.

*would

😁

[Anonymous]

I still have this nightmare many many years later.

[Anonymous]

I missed 2 finals my sophomore year in college because I was in the emergency room with food poisoning. My boyfriend (now dh) was with me at the hospital all night then went to the first class which we had together and explained where I was. The nurse at the hospital was kind and thought to send a note with him. That teacher waived my final. After he took that test my dh went to my second class and explained the situation. That teacher picked a topic and gave my husband an assignment to take back to me. She gave me a week to write a 10 page paper and have it post marked (this was pre email). Both of these teachers knew me well and knew that I was not a partier. Another girl missed a final because she was sick from drinking. She did not get to retake.

[Anonymous]

I missed one of my finals because I wrote down the wrong date. It was completely my fault, but miraculously I showed for the retake.

[Anonymous]

What a nothing story. If your kid was told that they couldn’t retake the final than you would have a story. But what is your point here? Are you trying to throw shade at larger schools on the theory that their professors wouldn’t allow this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish more colleges would allow self-scheduled exams! My son is at a school with a strict honor code, and with self-scheduled exams he doesn't have to worry about missing one.

Haverford? I went there, and the self-scheduled exams were such a great thing.