Please help

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I just missed a quiz in a class from stressing the hell out over college and I crashed from staying up 48+ hours studying trying to learn Cal after getting back from my 8:00 Economics class. I'm going to post my message to my professor and tell me if you'd let me re-take the quiz. I have already made up 1 test in there before and this is a second occurence. Please just read this before replying.</p>

<p>Dear Professor X,</p>

<p>My name is X. I am writing to you right now because your class is just now getting over. I missed another test. I know your rule about missing tests and they can't be made up without a university excuse. I am the same person who missed it last time because I was sick. I am going to ask you if I can re-take it but first I want to tell you why I missed it. I have been up this past week pulling an all-nighters 3 of the last 7 days with having VERY little sleep on the other nights stressing over college. Today I got through studying Calculus 2 around 7:00, went to Economics class at 8:00, and continued studying for my Cal 2 test that I have tomorrow. I read Sweeney Todd over the weekend and last night to be safe. Anyways, I ended up crashing while studying, I do not know how it happened but it did. I am literally freaking out right now and about to go insane because the one class that I actually like this semester I've already started off awful by missing 2 classes which were the two days that quizzes were on. I've never been panicking more over college than I am right now. Even if you don't let me make up the test I'd still like to meet with you and explain my situation, even if it doesn't get me a makeup because I feel like you deserve to know why I missed. This kind of situation has never happened to me and I don't want you to think that I'm this type of student. So even if I can't makeup the test can I at least meet with you sometime this week? I'd really appreciate it.</p>

<p>Thanks,
X</p>

<p>I am literally about to kill myself over college. This is in no way, shape, or form a joke and kidding. I just felt like telling someone because I can't tell my parents.</p>

2

<p>First of all, if you’re serious about wanting to kill yourself, please, PLEASE get help from your university’s health center. I’m sure they can have counselors that can help you out, and trust me, this is NOT worth killing yourself over. Even if he doesn’t give you the make-up, it’s not worth killing yourself over. Trust me.</p>

<p>Second, you can try to get your professor to give you a make-up – everyone gets stressed out and bogged down, and some professors are really understanding about things like that. On the other hand, don’t be surprised if he says no. It sounds like he already made an exception for you once, which was nice of him. Also, saying that you got little sleep the last week because you were “stressing over college” seems vague and like you’re making excuses. It sounds like you had a lot of tests/assignments this week, and as a result you’ve been studying for other things. However, I’m guessing most of these tests/assignments were on the syllabus; therefore, you should have known that this was going to be a tough week and prepared for it in advance. If you’ve been studying well throughout the semester, you should not need to be pulling all-nighters the week of the test. For this reason, the professor might not grant you the make-up.</p>

<p>But like I said, I think you should try. He might be understanding.</p>

<p>Just curious, have you been going to office hours? What type of class is it - big or small? Does he take attendance? (I’m asking because it might seem a little fishy that you claim to have only missed class twice, but they are the only days that have had quizzes. If he takes attendance, or if the class is small enough that he knows your face and knows you do normally attend class, that might be something you can point out when you meet in person.)</p>

<p>One final thing: If I were you, I would make the e-mail just a little more formal. Saying things like “literally freaking out right now” and “ended up crashing” makes you seem a little childish; try to avoid slang like that. Also, you start almost every sentence with the word “I.” Try mixing it up a bit. I know these are kind of knitty points, and you don’t have to follow them since everyone’s writing style is different, but personally, I would have a better impression of you if you sounded a bit more professional.</p>

<p>It’s good that you acknowledge his policy of no make-ups without a university excuse, and good that you want to talk to him in person. Definitely keep those parts in.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>If you’re in the middle of a mental health crisis, I would talk to your advisor and/or your dean. Last semester I had a situation where I was having an IMMENSE personal crisis while I had like 8 papers due in one week, all during final exams, and I really needed some extensions and the dean emailed my professors and got them to make exceptions under the particular circumstances that I was facing-- I had to disclose what they were, which wasnt pleasant because it was personal, but that was what it took. Though, in that case the crisis had nothing to do with being overwhelmed with school, but because of what I was going through they cut me a break so I stood a chance at getting my work in. </p>

<p>Otherwise, I find that less is more when emailing professors about these kinds of things. If it needs extensive explanation it’s better to do it in person. Maybe its just my profs, but I get the impression they skim over longer emails and don’t really read them. I also get the impression that profs really don’t care how stressed out you are. Their attitude is that everyone is stressed and overwhelmed and everyone else is dealing with it, and so should you. So you might want to try a different strategy. My profs would not respond to this email favorably. The fact that they don’t care aside, I can barely read this email because it is all basically “FEEL SORRY FOR ME FEEL SORRY FOR ME FEEL SORRY FOR ME” and it just isn’t working for me. Try writing it when you’re calmer. Better yet, talk to them in person. Profs respect that.</p>

<p>I am chronically ill so I end up having to do these kinds of things a lot. It’s best to slow down and think about what you’re saying and how it sounds, don’t just word-vomit on your professor. And think about what you need to do to keep this from happening again. Sounds like you need fewer credits next term, maybe a different major, or even a leave of absence.</p>

4

<p>I sent it out a while back. I wanted to get a message to him ASAP sorry. But the thing is I know I had tests coming up, and my Calculus test got switched by my professor from Monday to Wednesdy but it didn’t really help because I am not getting Cal 2 (refer to my other thread) and plan on seeking MAJOR help in that class after the first test. If I seek it a week and a half prior to test tutors here think you’re cramming and refuse to help you even if you explain your situation that you want to learn it for the long run. But anyways, the class is Theatre and it’s a Fine Arts class that I have to take 3 hours of. And about the syllabus thing I mean I’m still getting used to this college thing I’m only a freshman. I get so caught up in everything going on that things catch me by surprise. I like the Theatre class and like I said I read the play twice to be safe. I like the class no doubt, but I hate my other classes this semester. I put the effort into his class obviously by not missing but 2 classes, and I mean I even stated I read the play twice. It was Sweeney Todd so I’ve seen the movie and liked it. I just hope he’s understanding. I plan to make some major changes after my freshman year going into my sophomore year. I just want to get this semester over with I’m sick of having panic attacks all the time.</p>

5

<p>College can be very stressful, and it sounds like the stress is interfering with your life enormously. Although your schedule may be crammed full, the most important part of your life is your health. Because you are seriously on the brink of suicide, it is imperative that you visit a mental health professional immediately. If you feel that you can’t wait until an office appointment with a university counselor, then please go straight to a hospital emergency room or dial 911.</p>

<p>Life doesn’t have to be this stressful, and there is help.</p>