• easy way out,  failing,  petition

    fishin’ for petitions

    September 13, 2012

    Hey,

    I’m going into my second year this september 2012 and I failed a course twice. The first time I took it I failed because of my lack of effort, the second time I took it, I ended up with a 48. I don’t know what to do and I don’t want to take it again but I need itbecause its a prerequiste. Will a petition help?

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    Heyyo!

    I’m assuming you don’t mean a petition like the one I made in third grade to get strawberry milk in the cafeteria (I got 46 signatures, but The Man didn’t fold), so Aska is about to keep it real and give you the short answer: No. Failing twice actually hurts your case for an academic petition, and it sounds like you don’t have any grounds to make one besides your own first-year-itis. Information about petitions is available here, but really, the petitions process is generally for uncontrollable emergencies or severe problems with the course.

    You probably have to take the course again, and there’s no limit on the amount of times you can do that. But let’s be honest, if you failed a foundational course for your program twice, it might be time to go deep into the woods, light some incense, assume the lotus position, and do some deep reflection about whether you’re really cut out for that program. After that, make an appointment at your registrar ASAP and have some real talk about your academic interests and abilities. They’ll help you come up with a plan and work out some strategies to do better in school.

    Good luck pal, and here’s to a stronger second year!

    aska

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  • easy way out

    Red Flag Deals Helped Choose My Future For A Low Low Price

    November 24, 2011
    I am only a high school student…and will be applying soon (If I get in at U of T I would like to go to innis) though I was really worried that I might not be able to get stellar GPA in physics (I am pursuing to get phd in united states) and I am also worried because I read this post which convinced me into thinking that U of T has unfair marking system compared to other unis.here is that link
    http://forums.redflagdeals.com/uoft-students-too-apathetic-1104641/
    plz tell me this is not true

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    it’s not true

    it’s true

    it’s not true … I’m confused. Do you want the truth or the truth you asked me to give you (riddle that my fine sir … or madame)

    In all honesty, I didn’t read that whole forum … mainly because the source is from redflag deals and it seemed like a lot of whiney students.

    I particularly enjoyed the line “I think the students at UofT like to get low marks just as much as Professors there like to give them out”.

    I would agree that the marking at U of T is harder than other Universities (and it actually differs from campus – UTSG seems to mark harder than UTSC or UTM). Buuuut I don’t think it’s really out to get the students … if the class average is failing, then it’s probably the professor and a bell curve or something along those line will be put into place. I personally have only experienced professors try to bump up the grades somehow when the students are getting shitty ass marks.

    If the school that you want to get your Phd at doesn’t care about the Uni you went to, I would just go to the easiest marking one and get killer grades (but also you might not learn as much making your masters and Phd a living hell).

    U of T may be slightly harder, but then you get to graduate with the infamous U of T degree <throws nose up in the air>

    I wouldn’t go off of that post, because I think people use blogs to blow off steam when they are failures at school rather then studying harder.

    forever compassionate,

    aska

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