Source: mikebaird

There are always students with excuses.  However this semester there’s an excuse epidemic!   Even the students that are always on time and always focused are falling off.   I have to admit that at the beginning of the semester things were a bit foggy for me too.  The transition from Winter break back to the classroom was not smooth.  But now we are getting close to midterms and far too many of my students heads are in the clouds.   

My Magazine Writing class’ first article was due on Monday.  Two students didn’t show up for class.   One of the students that were present said, “I don’t think everyone is coming today because of the weather.”   It was raining.  This is not the Mid-Atlantic, Snowmageddon is not here!  Typically I collect writing assignments via email; they must be submitted by the start of class.  There were no emails from them in my inbox before or after class.   On Wednesday both students came to class late, with their articles in hand.   I told them I would read the articles only to see if the assignments were done correctly and to provide feedback.   One of them complained, “Well I still did it.  I had to go home that day.”   My response to her was “Your dream is to write for Essence, do you think you could disappear for two days and your article would still be published or have a job?”    Too bad both of them received zeros because the articles were very well written.   The assignment was to write a “How-to” article.  One of them I’m going to use as my guide to apply liquid eyeliner.  I’ve never mastered this skill but this student’s prose has me believing I can do it!   Communications is a practitioner’s field students have to treat their class projects as if they were producing them for publication.   I give the “professionalism starts now” speech but for some it’s still not sinking in.  I’m frustrated.   One far more seasoned professor told me last semester “teach those that are here to learn.”   That attitude sounds like retreat or conducting myself like the students that are only doing enough to get by.  

 Plus this doesn’t answer the question of what happened to the students that were responsible last semester that are now slacking?   The university is very small having the same student’s semester –to-semester is common.     The answer to this mystery came in the form of several clandestine meeting requests.   Rush season is starting and the secretive meetings were to ask for recommendation letters.   Greek life is huge on this campus.  Those that are not consumed by being accepted by a fraternity or sorority are preparing for the process.     

My colleagues tell me things will continue to get crazier as the spring semester progresses.  After spring break comes pageant season.  Yes I said pageant season, this is the South.   If some of my students do not regain their focus there will be more clandestine meetings between us but these will be for extra credit requests.  

Air kisses,

Professor Diva Mac