down about grade

LegacyUser

Hi...

I don't know why I'm posting really...

I started a postgrad course this September in something I'm really passionate about, and spent over a year saving up to do. I've been getting good feedback all along and have a close relationship with my course tutor so I was really happy with how it was going.

however, we just got our first assignment back, which was a presentation we had to do infront of the whole class. I'm used to speaking infront of people and performing so I thought I'd do ok but I got pretty bad feedback and m grade was at least 10% less than everyone I've spoken to so far. I know it's only a small part of one class, but it's really upset me for some reason and totally knocked my confidence.

In school and undergrad I never cared about grades that much, so I really don't know why this is affecting me so much. I guess I kinda just feel embarrased because I think about how bad my presentation must have been and now I'm worrying that people in the class might not want to work with me on future projects.

I cry every time I think about it, so I can't speak to my tutor as I'd just end up in floods!

I know there's no really any advice to give me that I couldn't logically tell myself, but I just needed to talk about it.

edellc

and thats what boards is here for

OP you know yourself the reason why your so upset about this....you said yourself that you have no problem speaking in front of people therefore you felt you would do well in this task and the fact you didnt has thrown you....can I ask (just answer to yourself you dont need to reply here) but was it more to do with the context of what you spoke about rather than the presentation itself that let you down, being good at pubic speaking makes no difference if whats coming out of your mouth is completely wrong, so ask yourself was it this that was the issue and if so well then you have something constructive to work on and maybe you just didnt get the whole concept of the assignment and it was that which was bad and not your presence when speaking to the class.

Of course you feel embarrassed, everyone feels this way when they feel they made a fool of themselves in front of their peers, that unfortunately is just life. However we learn from these things and move on.

So the best I can say to you is chin up its nearly the end of term so put it behind you, enjoy Christmas and come back in January fighting you know you can do this and you like what it is your doing, this was a slip up thats all.

I know you heard it a million times while doing your leaving cert but it applies more than ever now...read everything to do with your assignment, carefully, slowly and twice to make sure you understand what is required of you.

username123

Yeah, I get upset at bad grades too - particularly when I think Ive done well.

The important thing to focus on is the actual feedback - where did it go wrong, what was the issue, how to improve it.

Most important to be professional about academic feedback - it is there to help you improve. You have to view it as an opportunity to learn something new.

And if there is one thing Ive learned over the years - most people are asleep during a presentation, so I doubt if most of your class mates paid much attention at all - they will of course want to work with you.

Good luck!

marilynhappy

I am just posting as I know I've had similar feelings myself in the past and it can be very difficult. When you are concentrating hard on study and it doesn't go as well as you'd like, it can make efforts seem worthless. However- speaking from personal experience, try to separate results and your personal worth.

I did a "prestigious" undergraduate degree, originally, before getting my postgraduate qualifications.

Particularly when it came to the undergraduate course, I would get very down when I under performed (despite my best efforts) as I would be conscientious enough. At worst, I thought about it constantly and didn't want to enjoy pleasurable activities like going out because I felt I hadnt earned it (because, as I told myself, I wasn't clever or hardworking enough). These feelings have returned over the years but I handle it better now.
The real freedom came for me when I had a Eureka moment one day and realised that I was taking grades very much to heart.
Try not to see them as a measure of personal worth (hard to do I know!) They judge a task, not you.
My advice would be to find meaning in other parts of your life also. Find meaningful outlets for yourself. I think that a lot of grades are subjective, and while it's good to do well, it is not something you should let affect you to the point of tears.
I bet you are better than you think, at your course and, even if not, you're a worthwhile person regardless. (Sorry if this was a bit preachy!)

tbh

you go to your tutor and you say "Hi - I was a bit disappointed with my grade, I was wondering if you could give me some advice as to where I could improve?"

And your tutor could say....

"you didn't talk about the right subject" or "You need to be clearer when you're summarizing" or "You used powerpoint too much" or "oh god was that your grade? I meant to give you a B" or any one of a number of things which will lead you to correcting your mistake and doing better next time

Or..You could not go to your tutor, get yourself all worked up about any number of issues that may not exist and not do better next time.

Lollipops23

OP, we've all been there with college- it's tough enough doing the assignment and then getting a kick in the teeth when the result is not what you expected.

Try and speak to your tutor about it-if there was no real feedback given you need to ask outright for it. It could have been any number of things, any of which could be totally fixable.

Don't dwell on it, remember the people who are most vocal about it are the ones who've done well- you never hear a peep out of all the others who didn't.

LegacyUser

Hey there,

I'm a first year history tutor in NUIM and, thought I may not have anny knowledge of your course etc, I can tell you, as a tutor, all I want is the best for my students. I've been trusted with a job and I obviously can't give everyone firsts but, esp. if you're a mature student who has been out of education for a while, I understand the transition is difficult.

I have certain mature age students who are incredible. They put in such effort and read so much extra material. They make my job feel worth while. However, sometimes they miss the point of the question or omit major stylistic detail. This kills me, as I hate giving low grades to those who I KNOW make a MAJOR effort. But I have to.

If you would like more info on how to improve youre writing <snip> don't take my boards writing as evidence, I'm published on The Blend's website if you want to check up). But, honestly, it should get easier as you progress, if not, and if I was your tutor, you would be receiving the nexessary help.

Mod note: Tutor, Welcome to PI. We ask that replies do not ask the OP to PM them, so I snipped that from your post.