Erin,
I couldn't agree with you more on this. What I have come to discover however is that it's not only the young students that do this, but the adults as well. I have had students come right out and challenge me, or other faculty memebers as to the reasoning behind a grade or at times state that they are a "paying customer" and should receive good grades. It can be very off-putting but I have fond that a matter-of-fact reply works wonders.
To start, I do not let students off the hook; they are the masters of their fates. In my syllabus, I address late work and assignments and outline what is an acceptable excuse and how to document it. Anything outside one of my outlined excuses is not acceptable; however, I do let students explain their situations to me, and then sympathize, but afterwards, I remind them that it does not fit into what is an acceptable excuse.
Some examples of acceptable excuses:
Documented Illness (or illness of a loved one for which the student is the primary care giver) – accompanied with a Doctor’s note excusing them from class
Death in the family or extended family – accompanied by a copy of the service program
Injury - accompanied with a Doctor’s note
All other excuses are unacceptable. However, and I don’t put this into my syllabus, there are other excuses and that I will accept, but they are far and few between.
Everyone should be responsible for their own actions. This is so true!
Listen to them and allow them to voice their feelings and then explain to them that they are responsbible for their own actions.
as a college instructor i have to remind my students we are not in kindergarten and they are all grown adults and are responsible for their actions.
Hi Erin,
The young generation must know that an education is not going to be given to them. They must work for it.
Patricia
Many of my students are young and have a particular complex. It seems that many othem believe that things are just a given, nothing is earned anymore they all act very entitled and know it all. When ever there is a problem or issue there reaction all ways seems to turn back to an excuse. I try and reitterate that we are all here for one reason that we have a passion and desire to learn, to better our selves not please others and or have all the outside world ruin the"me" school education time.
Hi Katherine,
The ball should be put back in their court. Students mustlearn how to accept responsibility for their own action.
Patricia
I try to put the ball back in their court and remind them that the syllabus clearly states the expectations and Due dates.
Hi Christina,
You know when to make the call whenever you feel as though students are trying to take advantage of you. As mentioned, you want to help, but you have to use your best discretion.
Patricia
Hi Dixie,
I tell you, you are such an understanding instructor. I am sure your students appreciate you. You can relate to some situations as having been there, done that.
Patricia
Many of my students really do live on the edge, where one more hardship (family death, job loss, health challenge, etc.) can send them over. Bearing in mind the possibililty that I'm being conned, I give reassurance and understanding--but we still have work to do and schedules to keep.
Having had substantial turmoil in my own life has given me specific details to share about how I managed to deal with the unexpected and traumatic events and yet still cope with the requirements of classes and other obligations. There's always something to be grateful for in every situation. Some of my horrible examples have been quite effective in helping students realize that I do indeed understand.
I can't say I have really had a lot of students that do this. However, I can recall one session where it seemed like more relatives died during the session. The bottom line here is that you just don't know. For me, it's a matter of given in enough to help, but not being taken advantage of at the same time. I also, try to keep tabs on students so they do not fall too far behind.
Hi Thomas,
You see a lesson to be learned from everything. Great points made.
Patricia
I believe that everyone should be responsible for their own actions. With this being said what I do is explain to the student that accepting blame for ones own actions is part of life. I also explain that there will not always be a time when blame can be shifted to someone else. Accepting blame comes with maturity and as we all know the young people of today are maturing at a much slower rate then generations of the past. By helping the students to understand that blame is not always a bad thing and exposing them to an idea that blame can sometimes be a learning process we can help the students to accept blame for the mistakes thay have made.
