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Good or bad idea to tell professor I was unprepared for class?

E

erub

Diamond Member
My first semester in graduate school in EE. I'm taking 3 classes (after dropping 1). Two of which are undergraduate (senior-level), those I am doing fine in, should be able to pull off at least one A and one B if I don't mess up the finals. But my third and only graduate-level class, I'm doing very poorly. I have been trying as much as possible, but I didn't have enough of this subject as background in undergrad (its a random process/telecommunications class), and I think many of my peers did (and some have even taken this course at other universities previously). My homework grades have been decent, due mostly to getting problems explained to me by others..then I sometimes see it. On the first test, I scored 7 points below average, so I thought that I was in decent shape. Then I got back the second test, and I had scored 37 points below average, the lowest in the class. The test was real hard, 62 average, but I shouldn't have done that badly. I don't really understand all of the material in the either. I'm now very worried about a C, or possibly a D. A D would be disastrous because I would lose my assistantship and free tuition, have to keep a 2.7 to stay.

Would it be a bad idea to tell the professor that I'm struggling with this material because I never had it before, (some others I know have). Should I just ask her where I stand? The competition level in grad school is very intense compared to undergrad (all the students who didn't care are now gone) and poor performance on a test is therefore really amplified. The final is coming up in a week and I'm worried that I have a really poor grasp on the material. BTW this is really my first chance to talk to her about my test we got the test back the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and then she was gone the entire week after Thanksgiving. I have gone to see her a few times before in her office hours but I don't think she knows my name..should I tell her I'm concerned?
 
I have nothing to contribute except that I'm glad I'm not going to grad school next year. I am one of those students that didn't/don't care.
Personally, if all you have is a professor and no TA, then I would go talk to her.
 
If you had told the professor early on in the semester he might have been able to help you out with catching up, but now that the semster is over, I wouldn't be expecting any free points.
 
At this point there is really no reason. Shape up next semester or you're out (at least in all the grad programs I've ever worked with, two grades below a B means dismissal). Have you ever considered that grad school isn't for you?
 
At my school I can't take undergrad courses within major. They simply don't count. Point of grad. school is to take gradate level courses. Though your adviser should have warned you about that course.

I don't see what will telling him change- he won't give you extra credit for that.

Also, taking 3 courses per semester in grad school is a bit of overload.

Goodluck.
 
Originally posted by: postmortemIA
At my school I can't take undergrad courses within major. They simply don't count. Point of grad. school is to take gradate level courses. Though your adviser should have warned you about that course.

I don't see what will telling him change- he won't give you extra credit for that.

Also, taking 3 courses per semester in grad school is a bit of overload.

Goodluck.
Click to expand...

3 courses is the average load, on top of research and fellowships. That's between 9-12 credit hours.
 
Originally posted by: erub
My first semester in graduate school in EE. I'm taking 3 classes (after dropping 1). Two of which are undergraduate (senior-level), those I am doing fine in, should be able to pull off at least one A and one B if I don't mess up the finals. But my third and only graduate-level class, I'm doing very poorly. I have been trying as much as possible, but I didn't have enough of this subject as background in undergrad (its a random process/telecommunications class), and I think many of my peers did (and some have even taken this course at other universities previously). My homework grades have been decent, due mostly to getting problems explained to me by others..then I sometimes see it. On the first test, I scored 7 points below average, so I thought that I was in decent shape. Then I got back the second test, and I had scored 37 points below average, the lowest in the class. The test was real hard, 62 average, but I shouldn't have done that badly. I don't really understand all of the material in the either. I'm now very worried about a C, or possibly a D. A D would be disastrous because I would lose my assistantship and free tuition, have to keep a 2.7 to stay.

Would it be a bad idea to tell the professor that I'm struggling with this material because I never had it before, (some others I know have). Should I just ask her where I stand? The competition level in grad school is very intense compared to undergrad (all the students who didn't care are now gone) and poor performance on a test is therefore really amplified. The final is coming up in a week and I'm worried that I have a really poor grasp on the material. BTW this is really my first chance to talk to her about my test we got the test back the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and then she was gone the entire week after Thanksgiving. I have gone to see her a few times before in her office hours but I don't think she knows my name..should I tell her I'm concerned?
Click to expand...
dont back down from that bitc...... er lemme rephrase that

hahaha your getting schooled by a girl rofl.... *hides in corner awaiting flames from smarter people..*
 
What do you have to loose by talking to her? It doesn't seem like you're asking for free points, seems to me you just want to ask her about where you stand and perhaps get some pointers for the final.

If you're doing well in other class, then push them aside and go for the glory in this class. I've always done that at the end of the quarter / semester (Although I shouldn't). I always get lazier and don't study as much for the finals in classes I'm going to get an A in. (Worst case scenario I get a C if I bomb the final).

The way I see it right now, if you don't get a passing grade in this class, you're toast right? Might as well put your time and effort into it while you can. Your other classes can slide, even if they're bringing up your GPA because it sounds like this graduate class has more strings attached to it then what you're telling us.
 
Originally posted by: StatsManD
Getting a C in grad school is like getting an F. Might as well kill your self now.
Click to expand...

So harsh.. yet so true. Well, except for the killing yourself part.
 
She's going to find out one way or another and sooner or later.
I don't want to be a wet blanket but you should be careful in picking your fights 😉

I do understand that comms classes can be a b*tch though, speaking from personal experience (though I thought advanced computational EM is even worse!).
 
I wouldn't phrase it like that (sounds like you're begging for mercy). I would explain that you lacked a lot of the background and ask her how you might better prepare yourself for the test material. This will show that you're eager to do better but not put her in the position of having to show you special consideration.
 
Originally posted by: CollectiveUnconscious
At this point there is really no reason. Shape up next semester or you're out (at least in all the grad programs I've ever worked with, two grades below a B means dismissal). Have you ever considered that grad school isn't for you?
Click to expand...

I haven't read about that 2 grades below B dismissal, only the 2.7 rule for good standing..

I have considered that grad school isn't for me, at least in EE, but I don't really know what to do at this point (obviously besides finishing out the semester). My parents know that I am struggling but I'm sure they expect me to get through it, and will be very disappointed in me if I don't.

The only reason I decided to do grad school was based on the recommendations of a couple of people I worked with, saying it would be a big help in my career in engineering..but I just feel 'behind the curve' so to speak, and this is the first time in my life where that's really happend
 
You can go to her and tell her that you've had some problems becuase you don't have much background, but you've been trying all semester and still don't feel like you understand the subject. Ask if there is any chance she could go over some work with you. Have specific questions and problems prepared. Don't just say I don't understand. She might help you out a bit so you can do better on your final, but you aren't going to get free points/extra credit at this point.

When is the final? Monday? This might be too late
 
Anything below a C+ or B is consider failing in most grad school. If you did tell your professor that you didn't understand the majority of the material, he'll reply back with a "why didn't you tell me earlier and asked for help."
 
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