Aaaarrraaah!

what... day is it? are midterms over? do I seriously have finals next week? My body is being invaded by mutant cold virus and all I can do is survey the damage... 72% in Nursing Process... Pathophysiology grade still isn't up but likely is in the mid-70s. Intro to Health Assessment -- a 92%! Hey, not bad! Gotta look on the bright side.

I'm not alone. I hit the class average in Process and Patho and I did better than most in Assessment. Current emotional level of cohorts is "Panic and Despair." And some are turning to anger. In fact, our class rep sent this out just a couple hours ago:

[Ed: This was sent to the entire class, edited for length]

Subject: Standard Bearer

Well, as you all get to know me, .... I have been through, and seen more, in my
50 years than I wish on any of you in your life times. With that in
mind, I present to you the following, which is an email I just sent to
Professor ___. ... I would appreciate it, if knowledge of its existence is kept to a
minimum on campus. ...

Dear Professor ______:

I realize it will not be possible to fulfill my request before the administration of the course final, but ... I would very much like the opportunity to discuss with you the midterm exam ... In my humble opinion, ... a 50/50 division of students between two effectively arguable correct answers, this indicates not a deficiency in student comprehension, but a lack of clarity in the question itself. ... If my comprehension of the material and study habits leading to the exam warranted a grade of B-, I am adult enough to assume responsibility for that. However, at this juncture I would be upset if I had received a B+!

... if the exams I have taken thus far were written in a manner that would adequately assess my comprehension and retention of the materials presented, then I truly believe my results would have reflected the same. ... if the average of any exam, given to a group of students as motivated and intelligent as are the members of my class, is in the range of B- to C+ (or less), then there is a fundamental problem in either the presentation of the material, or in the formatting of the examinations, or both. I would like very much the opportunity to have an “off the record” conversation with you about my concerns, so I may more effectively formulate any pursuant course of action I might consider. ...

Sincerely,

M_____

Well, I certainly don't miss movies and TV. I'm getting plenty of entertaining drama at school. People are starting to lash out at one another. I told my professor that I had a feeling we would look back at this semester and say "Oh, that was the easy part!" He laughed and said I was right.

On to finals! and beyond!