I'm screwed! Fail or incomplete?

[Riddleman]

I?m so screwed! Please I need your help guys to make a decision, currently I?m failing my Physics class and tomorrow is my final which can make or break me. However, I have caught one of those new flu viruses going around in NYC and I?m totally hurting and it?s really difficult to study because my head is pounding so hard and my entire body is aching. Currently I have handed in all of my lab reports except for the last one, if I don?t hand it in I?ll get an incomplete since she can?t give me a term grade without it. So what should I do, hand in the report and fail the test (because I haven?t studied and failed all of my previous exams) thus failing the class or should I not hand in the lab report and get an incomplete. Since I currently have a 3.6 gpa, I?m wondering which will cause less damage to it or will they both be bad anyways. I?m so bummed because this will be the first class I will have ever failed. Thanks for reading this pathetic plea for help.

Summary: does an incomplete in a course look better than a fail?

 

[Britboy]

Here's my situation if it's any help. I have to miss a final next week because of a death in the family. I talked to the instructor and she agreed to give me an incomplete, then let me take the test after the break and change it back to a letter grade. I'm on for an A or B in the class.

I would suggest you discuss it with the professor and try to work it out, if you're sick you should have a legitimate excuse.

Good luck!

 

[Landroval]

It's worth a try, but the Incomplete is at the instructor's discretion - and if you have failed all your tests ( :Q ) he or she may not feel it is warranted.

 

[Triforceofcourage]

Usually professors won't give out an incomplete unless you are passing the class but of course it all depends on the professor

 

[kinev]

I doubt not handing in a lab assignment would warrant an incomplete. It's more likely that you would just get a 0 for that lab and fail the class even worse.

If you are really sick, and not making an excuse, go to the doctor (or student health center) and get a note saying that you are sick. Call the prof first thing tomorrow and tell her that you are sick, and have documentation, and that you need to reschedule your final. Study your butt off until then and pass the class. Also, be as professional and respectable as possible when talking to the prof.

Incompletes are usually a little better than an F, but unless your school has some weird rules, you won't get an I from the situation you described. Your best bet is to get note, call prof, study HARD, and pass the class. A C or a D are both better than an F. Good luck.

 

[Plasdom]

incompletes are only awarded if you are at a certain level grade-wise (at least in my experience). This is because you were usually required to complete the work at a later date (determined between you and the instructor) and obtain the grade. So if you were failing then that is not an option. The options I have observed are W (for withdrawn...some even have a "withdrawn failing"). But yeah, the W usually indicates you were not doing so well.

However, if you have the option of getting an Incomplete (even if it will be permanent) it is certainly better. I am assuming it will not contribute towards your GPA which is definitely a better option. very very few companies will scrutinize your transcript that closely. they only care about your degree and them in some cases your gpa

 

[ironcrotch]

does your school let you retake a course? my school if u get a d or below they give you another chance to take it again, and it averages out the two grades and shows up as a duplicate course on your transcript. thats a good option.

 

[tocoolformyself]

Originally posted by: Gl4di4tor
I?m so screwed! Please I need your help guys to make a decision, currently I?m failing my Physics class and tomorrow is my final which can make or break me. However, I have caught one of those new flu viruses going around in NYC and I?m totally hurting and it?s really difficult to study because my head is pounding so hard and my entire body is aching. Currently I have handed in all of my lab reports except for the last one, if I don?t hand it in I?ll get an incomplete since she can?t give me a term grade without it. So what should I do, hand in the report and fail the test (because I haven?t studied and failed all of my previous exams) thus failing the class or should I not hand in the lab report and get an incomplete. Since I currently have a 3.6 gpa, I?m wondering which will cause less damage to it or will they both be bad anyways. I?m so bummed because this will be the first class I will have ever failed. Thanks for reading this pathetic plea for help.

Summary: does an incomplete in a course look better than a fail?

IMHO your best bet is to suck it up and study your ass off. Your teacher might think you are full of it and fail you if you don't take the test.

 

[Riddleman]

Thanks for the help guys, I just found out that if i do fail I'm allowed to take the class over.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Gl4di4tor
Thanks for the help guys, I just found out that if i do fail I'm allowed to take the class over.

just study hard next year. my first F got me a 3.4 and then a 3.7 the following year. too little too late tho. good luck!

 

[tami]

if you go to your class and hand in your report, wouldn't the professor see how sick you are and possibly let you take the exam at a later date?

 

[kumanchu]

ummm last i checked..... incomplete is a temporary status which will be turned into a failing grade unless completed.

usually there is some time frame where you need to turn everything / do everything by. look in your student handbook for your school, the policy should be there somewhere.