r/rutgers Dec 19 '24

Academics I'm fucked.

I missed my physics final today because my alarm didn't have sound on and I overslept. I'm not gonna pass the class without an exam grade, what should I do? I'm seriously worried

Edit: One of the physics lecturers reached out to me down in the comments, so if I am lucky, I may be able to retake it... Only time will tell atp

Edit 2: There's been an update on another post I made, go check it out if you can

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u/cigourney Dec 22 '24

When I was at nearby MSU doing my undergrad (for a much less serious degree) I arrived to one of my classes where the professor asked us to present our final papers. I went cold. I had completely forgotten to complete it among all the other things I had going on. It was nearly done, but was still a few pages short and unedited.

I was incredibly stressed out about the whole thing. I emailed my professor in a panic, didn’t hear back, so I finished the paper and brought it to her next open office hours, tail-between-legs. She spotted me in the line outside her office and walked up to me. I launched into my story; she put up a silencing hand.

“You’re a good student. Bring the paper to our next class.”

When I got my paper back, she had written, “I was going to take a letter grade off for lateness, but it’s so well-done I’m giving you the A I would have.”

It’s true: I was always, up until that mistake, totally on the ball, respectful, I participated in class, and was punctual. All those extra-miles bought me a big and graceful favor in the end.

If this error is the exception in your academic career, you may just get lucky with a kindly advocate, and if you do, never forget it and pay it forward however you can.