<p>I've been sick on and off for the past four weeks. The doctors did not know what was wrong- they'd send me home with medication, I'd feel better, and then collapse in two or three days. It was frustrating- because I'd tell a professor that I could make up a quiz or turn in an assignment by X day, but I'd end up fainting, vomiting and heading to the hospital on X day. I always made sure to let professors know within 2 of the event and send scanned copies of doctors notes. All were sympathetic and understanding. </p>
<p>The doctors finally know what's wrong with me- and I'll be fine by Friday. I emailed all professors letting them know and they've all sent their regards. Some even gave me longer extensions for making up assignments than I asked for. </p>
<p>However, my favorite Biology professor seems to be tired, and sees my requests as a farce. We've had a very cordial relationship- I was in her Bio 101 class freshman year. Last semester, I TA-ed for her 101 class, and this semester, I'm enrolled in her 400 level class. At the beginning of the semester, I would go to her office hours often to go over doubts I had. However, I had to miss two weeks of this class, and I've had to postpone taking an exam twice. I provided doctor's notes for every instance. Instead of responding to my emails with support and encouragement like she used to, my professor sends one word answers- "OK". . She is also very cold in lecture and office hours and doesn't make small talk like she used to. </p>
<p>I'm upset and not sure how to remedy this situation. I was hoping for a recommendation letter from her when I graduated, but I'm not so sure anymore. I can see how my situation may have seemed like a big elaborate ruse to postpone taking an exam- but really, it wasn't- I have documentation to prove it. I'm also hurt that she doesn't believe that I have integrity- she's known me for a fairly long time. She's not witholding my rights to take the exam at a later date- it's university policy that I'm allowed to- but she's doing it very begrudgingly, with the air of someone who believes that I'm making this entire situation up. </p>
<p>I don't know how else to prove this to her. Should I talk to my academic adviser and have him email her about my illness being legitimate? </p>
<p>Any advice or insight is appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Better yet, go in whilst being sick so she can see it herself >.> But alas, a doctors note should have worked.</p>
<p>Wait, so did she outright tell you she doesn’t believe you or are you just assuming she doesn’t believe you based on her attitude? And is she giving you the extensions you asked for or not? If not, then I would talk to the head of the department and let him or her know of your concerns.</p>
<p>^ She gave OP the extension.</p>
<p>And no, I would not ask your adviser to send her an email.</p>
<p>I’m with IceDragon on going in sick. I do that with my professors all the time now. My school is absolutely evil about absences, and will lower your grade dramatically after three. They stopped giving me that trouble when I A. came to class chock full of mucus and phlegm or B. threw up in the middle of class. It works like a charm every single time.</p>
<p>I don’t see anything wrong with how the teacher has reacted. You missed two weeks of class, doctor’s notes or not. She doesn’t have to be your best friend and she allowing you to make up your work, so she hasn’t done anything wrong. What would your adviser be able to do since the teacher already knows you are sick and I don’t imagine your adviser would have further proof other than the aforementioned notes. All you can really do, now that you are getting better, is attend class, go to office hours, do everything you used to do and show her that you’re a serious student and rebuild your relationship with her.</p>
<p>But yeah, in one of my classes we had a if you miss over three days every extra absence results in -5% of your final grade rule, doctor’s notes or not.</p>
<p>Has this Bio teacher said that she sees your requests as a farce? Are you sure this isn’t your imagination? She’s giving you everything you’ve asked for, right? Has she said anything in particular that indicates she’s unhappy with you? Not being as warm and fuzzy as usual, and saying OK instead of responding with support and encouragement, doesn’t mean she doesn’t believe you or thinks you’re acting without integrity. Maybe she’s having a bad week. Or maybe she doesn’t have time to write supportive and encouraging e-mails. I would NOT have your advisor send her an e-mail.</p>
<p>This is something your school’s disabilities office may be able to help you with if it escalates. Just not being as friendly with you, though, there really isn’t anything you can do about that. She’ll probably get over it when you’re feeling better and things go back to normal.</p>
<p>She believes you’re sick. Clearly, as she is giving you the proper extensions. However, your condition is inhibiting your from learning in her class properly, and that would annoy any ordinary professor. She can only be so polite. She was always cordial to you and you two were acquaintances, not best friends. Therefore I think you are expecting more of her than you are entitled to.</p>
<p>It is time for you to focus on getting better and taking care of your school work. It is not the time to worry about what one or another teacher thinks. that is pretty basic. Teachers might be friendly but they are not your friend. They are human too and get pretty tired themselves. I would imagine that a teachers greatest wish would be able to get through the term as scheduled, without too many issues or special requests. What you have been going through amounts to some extra work and planning on the teachers part and that could be what looks like to you an unfriendly and unbelieving attitude.</p>
<p>Honestly, why does it matter if she believes that you were sick or not? You are one of an endless line of faces that are going through her class. She is doing her job and that is exactly what she is supposed to be doing. As long as she is not denying you the chance to makeup and retake whatever you need, you are good.</p>
<p>It is hard to miss a lot of school and be very ill at the same time. You not only have to take the time to get better but also have to catch up as much as possible. Get the help that you can and stop worrying about stuff that doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Four plus weeks of being incredibly sick is a very long time in terms of college classes. Are you sure that you can finish everything that you need to, while getting better? It might be a good idea to withdraw or get an incomplete with some of these classes while you still can.</p>
<p>You sound like you are overly worried about what the teacher thinks. Quite possibly you are pushing yourself too much and that is why you have not gotten better yet? If you have been at the hospital then taking some time off from a rigorous schedule is a good idea. Obviously you have been trying to push yourself and get right back to your studies after every episode of illness, but that could be a mistake.</p>
<p>If you are that demanding of yourself then you are probably pretty demanding on your teachers as well. You don’t want to be one of those students that has to have a sprinkling of special attention and affection from certain teachers. Maybe you feel that you have worked especially hard and they should be especially nice to you? Just get back to basics and take care of your work. Stop expecting to be coddled by your teachers and give them some professional distance.</p>