Midterm Grades for Freshman Undergrads?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
1

<p>Son and I saw on the academic calendar where there are midterm grades for freshman. Is it mandatory for the professor's to post these, or is it optional? Son is having a difficult time figuring out how he is actually doing in his classes. Between the Z scale, the curving, the weighted vs unweighted and the fact that grades are slow to post to his My Tulane has presented a challenge. Several of his professors have indicated to the class after a test, or lab, or whatever that if they thought the student should rethink their class choice, they would receive an email from the professor. Son has received no emails yet. </p>

<p>He turned in one quiz last week, said the professor asked him how he thought he did, son said he wasn't sure, but thought he did pretty good. He said the professor, looked at his paper, said it looked good to him and that was that. </p>

<p>My son doesn't always perform as well on tests as his scores and classwork grades would indicate. Tends to make careless errors, for instance leave off units of measurement or some such thing. </p>

<p>He's been tested, once in 3rd grade, once in 7th, suspected ADD (not ADHD), but I made the decision in the younger grade and he in the older not to pursue medication. He has indicated he might want to reconsider that choice, based on his performance this first semester. I'm not and never had expected all A's and in college, I'm not going to freak out over a C or two, (older sister had quite a few C's both in high school & college, as an art major) but he will. He'd be disappointed with all B's I'm guessing, to be truthful. </p>

<p>I've told him if he's not heard from his professor's (the ones that said they would advise students), understands the material, has passing grades on the items that have actual grades, he shouldn't worry until he sees those mid-term grades. But if all his classes don't do the mid-term grades, that won't do any good. </p>

<p>I've been really surprised he's been as worried as he has, this was my kid in HS who always said, no problem, I'll do better next time (and did). I honestly don't see him getting any grades below a C, but I am curious, what is considered a passing grade at Tulane?</p>

2

<p>S2 did not receive a midterm report last year. And further, it took weeks for some of his final grades to be posted. Did quite well I might add, so no news can indeed be good news. :)</p>

3

<p>He should take the time to stop in during the prof’s office hours for each class and just ask for an assessment. If the office hours conflict with other classes he has, he should either e-mail for an appointment at a different time or just ask by e-mail for such an assessment. He not only has the right to ask for this, it is also smart while he still has time to make any adjustments if needed. Students never take enough advantage of office hours to get to know the prof, get some extra help or insight, or just to insure they are on the right track.</p>

4

<p>I had one professor last semester who didn’t use blackboard and rarely told your grades after testing. Since it wasn’t a class that I was confident about, I went to the professor’s office during hours and asked.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the response. I’m going to encourage him to check in with the professors and ask for the assessment. I know he has emailed and/or dropped in on office hours with at least most of his professors. He’s from a small school where student/teacher interaction was encouraged, so it’s second nature to him to ask for help or clarification. It’s just the first time I’ve seen him suffer from performance anxiety, so to speak. I think he’s worried for no reason, but I’m not there, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.</p>

6

<p>This kind of anxiety is not unusual for first semester freshmen. Away from home, new responsibilities and freedoms, larger (for most) school environment, etc. etc. It’s great that he has had interactions with the profs already. That should make it easier for him to follow up on his mid-term status. You are probably right, he is likely doing just fine.</p>