I could type a title for this but the truth of the matter is it probably would not G-rated and I don't feel like radio-editing myself tonight. So here goes, hopefully sans incident on the cuss front:
Lab sessions have generally not been working out too good in chemistry class so far. Today took it to another level, and frankly I'm really surprised that this does't have me on red tonight.
This lab was about chemical reactions, actually the first of two labs covering that. There's just one problem: We're not up to that point in the lectures (we're half a session short), and I'm still working out questions about covalent compounds.
The intro to the lab I read was confusing at best. The way the prof introduced it was even worse. I was far in over my head and basically lost...didn't understand what was going on, the why of it, anything at all.
My lab mates at least noticed I was lost...but didn't understand what "I need someone else to explain this to me" means (it means what is says...duh). One actually asked why I'm not going to the prof's impromptu study sessions in one of the adjunct faculty rooms, and it was here that I basically broke.
"I've already told you that I can't do that because I don't understand what he's saying!"...then I buried my head in my lap and broke down. Someone from another group tried to get to my attention, but there was no point in trying to complain about it from there; it wouldn't solve anything because I was just plain pissy, distraught, and who knows what else all at the same time. But most importantly, I felt alienated because of the few people who know, no one seems to be able to comprehend that for practical purposes the window for finding compatible help on campus slammed shut three weeks ago and I paid a heavy price for that (including missing a complete homework assignment because I couldn't get the concepts straightened out in time, a 20-point penalty which is significant when you consider that I've left 35 points on the table already from failed lab attempts and there's only around 500 points to grab maximum).
Don't get me wrong...I am thankful beyond words for the helper on DS that I have (and you know who you are). But almost every week I'm getting very harsh reminders of what could have been had the professor taken my concerns after exam #1 seriously.
Lab sessions have generally not been working out too good in chemistry class so far. Today took it to another level, and frankly I'm really surprised that this does't have me on red tonight.
This lab was about chemical reactions, actually the first of two labs covering that. There's just one problem: We're not up to that point in the lectures (we're half a session short), and I'm still working out questions about covalent compounds.
The intro to the lab I read was confusing at best. The way the prof introduced it was even worse. I was far in over my head and basically lost...didn't understand what was going on, the why of it, anything at all.
My lab mates at least noticed I was lost...but didn't understand what "I need someone else to explain this to me" means (it means what is says...duh). One actually asked why I'm not going to the prof's impromptu study sessions in one of the adjunct faculty rooms, and it was here that I basically broke.
"I've already told you that I can't do that because I don't understand what he's saying!"...then I buried my head in my lap and broke down. Someone from another group tried to get to my attention, but there was no point in trying to complain about it from there; it wouldn't solve anything because I was just plain pissy, distraught, and who knows what else all at the same time. But most importantly, I felt alienated because of the few people who know, no one seems to be able to comprehend that for practical purposes the window for finding compatible help on campus slammed shut three weeks ago and I paid a heavy price for that (including missing a complete homework assignment because I couldn't get the concepts straightened out in time, a 20-point penalty which is significant when you consider that I've left 35 points on the table already from failed lab attempts and there's only around 500 points to grab maximum).
Don't get me wrong...I am thankful beyond words for the helper on DS that I have (and you know who you are). But almost every week I'm getting very harsh reminders of what could have been had the professor taken my concerns after exam #1 seriously.
Replies
Eventually, I told my lab mates to finish on their own because I was basically in a state...still am. I guess the only reason I\'m not on red can be attributed to this:
I also had to work today (which I was able to do until around 4:45 PM US ET when my brains finally gave out for good). While I was there, during a short break I texted my uncle, an Orioles fan, \"Let\'s go Yankees\" because he\'s a bombastic type and his boys played the decider of their quarterfinal with the Yankees earlier today. I love messing with people\'s team affiliations when they\'re a little too sure of themselves, which I have no problem doing seeing as how I\'ve had no reputation to defend for a few years now.
He texted back a one-word response: \"Boo\".
Well, the Yankees won, so I got the last laugh. I texted him back after the 3-1 decision to the Yankees went final: \"As in boo hoo? (snicker)\"
He probably won\'t forgive me for 50 years, and he will certainly be dead before that time passes (he\'s in his sixties) but as far taking out frustrations on people, as I am prone to do when said frustration runs high, this was tame. Just trust me on that.
We can work on the lab stuff, and you know that I will help you to grab all those credits that are sitting around now. We can get you through the course. You have someone on your side to explain. If anything confuses you, email me, I don\'t care if I get 6/7 emails a day, if that\'s what it takes, then that\'s what I will answer. Email me anytime. I don\'t mind!!!!
xxx