• failing

    I’m stuck in a glass case of emotion

    March 2, 2012
    So I just completed the first semester of my first year as a LifeSci student here at UofT, and I did poorly to say the least.
    I failed my Math135 course with a miserable 17 and did 60 in BIO120. My chemistry mark hasnt come in yet, but I doubt it will be better.
    I feel terribly lost as to my options. I just discovered that I could have dropped Math right up to the last day of class, but now Im stuck with a 17.
    My question is this: What can I do to better my situation?
    I heard there are petitions that can be filed to remove your lowest mark, so I was wondering where to apply for that.
    Can I repeat the course in the summer and get a better mark? I know I CAN do better… but will this even be considered?

    Thanks for any help.

    ??????????????????????-

    Heyo,

    This does seem like a wee bit of a sticky situation (I’m picturing a borrower stuck in a massive piece of gum). Fortunately, you are not alone. Many students, despite what they may say after graduation, have? a hard time in their first year.

    Things to think of for the future.

    Late Withdrawel – This is what you can do if you are in a desperate situation and need to drop a course after the drop date. You can do a maximum of 3 full credits of late withdrawel. Don’t get all excited like the cake?kid in Matilda, they do show up on your trasncript but without a grade attached to it.

    You can petition marks BUT they generally are only granted in really extreme cases. It’s always worth going to chat with your academic advisor about it?though!

    You can repeat the course in the summer … both your previous mark and the new one will be calculated in your CGPA. If it is a mark that you need for your subject POSt, then I would suggest that you retake the course in the summer.

    you’ve got this dude,

    aska

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  • failing

    take a petition shot, if it doesn’t work out, take an alcohol shot.

    January 27, 2012
    I failed Sociology 101 for the second time this last fall semester. I need to take it for a third time. In actuality the reasons I failed was because of lack of organization and time management; missed assignments and quizzes online, overall I didn’t give the course my best effort.

    I need to re-take this class a 3rd time, I have the grade replacement option and I know I will do better now that I have my priorities in order. However, I need to appeal to my university in order to take it a 3rd time.

    Here is what a counselor told me to do :

    “You will need to petition SOC101 for a 3rd time

    You will need to write very specifically and convincingly why you should be granted a 3rd time to take this class. It’s not guaranteed that you will be granted this option simply by submitting the form, they still can say no ”

    On the form they ask for the reason for the request to repeat the class for a 3rd time. Should I be frank and give the honest reasons which are stated above?

    Would you be kind enough to give some suggestions or advice?

    Thank you

    ??????????????????????-

    Do you really want SOC101? Are you considering a major in sociology? I know you didn’t ask my opinion but you know what … that’s right … I’m going to give it to you.

    If you have failed it twice from lack of organization or time management, then maybe you aren’t interested in the material. Which is fine … trust me I’ve taken my fair share of classes that I couldn’t care less about, but you might want to reassess your interests. If? you haven’t been doing well in the 100 level course, the odds are other SOC classes aren’t going to interest you either.

    BUT … ultimately it’s your life and you can do what you want (to extent … no murder or anything).

    My suggestion would be to be honest with them, like what you said to me. Explain the situation that prevented you from doing well in the course. From what I hear, petitions are usually granted to severe cases (ie prolonged illness, depression etc), but if’s always worth a shot.

    ta, my friend,

    aska

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  • failing

    The Horror Continues With Failed Courses

    November 3, 2011

    Hello Askstudent, I was wondering if UTSC limits the number of times you can retake a failed course?
    I’ve been researching on the web and nowhere gave me a definite answer. On the UTSC Course FAQ page it vaguely stated:? “You cannot re-take a course if you previously passed it. If you? failed a course? you can re-take it. Bear in mind that if you re-take a? previously failed course,?the failed grade is not removed or averaged. Both the failed grade and the new?grade are calculated into the GPA.” I’ve failed a required course twice (first time was totally my fault, skipped lectures, didn’tattend tutorials – although not mandatory, and didn’t study much for midterm and final, but the second time around when I retook the course was during summer, when I hadmy part time job and the week of my final my parents had guests stay in our house, I couldn’t focus/study much for my final because they were so loud and one of their three kids wouldn’t stop bothering me while I was studying. Hence, failing the courseagain by 4%) I’m planning on taking it again this winter, this time around I’m sure I’lldo well in the course, but I’m not sure if UTSC will permit it and whether it will countas a credit towards my degree? Thanks, in advance, for taking the time to read & answer my question and helping me out! (:?

    ???????????????

    Hi nameless student,

    Unfortunately the heart strings of Aska can not be pulled by reasonings behind failed courses … actually the only thing that can really thaw this frozen heart of ours is puppies … or ryan gosling. Boy, do I wish there was a webiste to compare the two for me …?OH WAIT, THERE IS?.

    Simply, you can take that bad boy as many times as you want to BUT all attempts willl be included?in your CGPA and transcript.

    p.s libraries don’t have pesturing little kids … only cleaning staff that clean the chair while you’re sitting in it.

    forever eating halloween candy,
    aska

    ?

     

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  • failing

    Get a Tutor Like Jagger

    October 7, 2011

    Hey,

    So I’ve been bombarded with loads of booklets from various tutors and tutoring organizations recently. Are any of these places reputable?

    ???????????????

    Well hello there,

    It’s hard to say. Were you handed these booklets by a shady figure with a hood that shadows their face into darkness?? Because I can only see that going wrong for you.

    How about this, push those booklets aside and check out these U of T certified resources:

    1) U of T Peer Tutoring – free tutoring babe

    2) ok .. there is no number two, but this song makes me want to dance

    bundles of hugs and love,

    aska

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  • courses,  failing,  GPA

    a second-year first year

    April 29, 2011

    Hi,

    I am currently a University of Toronto Mississauga first year students, I am a full time students.

    Right now I finished all the exams, but I failed 2 courses and now I only have 1.5 credits.

    Will I get into second years? what is the minum credit requirment ?

    I will be very appriciated if you can solve my problem.

    Thank you very much

    ———————————————

    Hi there. Sorry to hear that you had a rough year. Year of study is determined by the number of courses you have taken. Because you have only passed 1.5 credits this year, you will still be considered a “first year student.” You will be considered a first year until you have passed five full year credits. The only thing this affects is your start time for course enrollment and when you can apply for a subject PoST. It might also affect some classes that you can register for next term.

    I’d recommend booking an appointment with your UTM registrar to figure out what classes you would like to register in for your second year of school. Are you also on Academic Probation? That will affect the minimum GPA you’ll need to continue to enroll in classes at UTM.

    Book that appointment.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • failing

    i like my bass down low, i hate my grades down low

    February 4, 2011

    Hello,

    I had an undiagnosed health issue first year which resulted in me failing a class and then taking three years off between first and second year. Considering a. my health directly contributed to that failing mark and b. I took a three year break and I am now in a completely different program, is there anyway I can rid my self of that one course, or even the whole year and just start fresh from the date that I came back? I am doing exceptionally well now in my new program and hope to go to grad school, but that course is pulling down my GPA.

    Thank You,
    Caitlin

    ???????????????

    Hey Caitlin,

    You touched my cold tiny heart with your story.

    It is extremely rare that you will be able to get rid of that mark. What I’m going to suggest is to call your registrar’s office … now! Make an appointment and gather up all your medical documentations.

    tenderly yours,
    Aska

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  • failing,  repeating course

    repeat, repeat, repeat a course gently down St.George

    January 17, 2011

    Hello ASKA,
    Wish you happy new year….?
    Well, i just found i failed a eco couse last semester, and i want to know what is the u of t policy if i’d like to take the course again? i mean how about the GPA be calculated? will my new grade replace the worse one for the same course?

    Best regards,
    Frances

    ———————————————

    Frances? (… Bean Cobain? Yah that’s somehow the spawn of Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain)

    I must regretfully inform you that you cannot banish your failed mark from your CGPA. If you repeat a course, both grades will be calculated into your CGPA.

    Sorry dude.

    Stay Golden,
    Aska

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  • failing

    Let’s just sweep those failed courses under the carpet

    January 14, 2011
    Hi askastudent,
    I have a bit of a problem. I have recently received my grades from my first semester as a freshman in college, and they do not look so good. Just one class I have failed. It was a trigonometry class. But you see, I don’t need this class for my major, it is just a pre-requisite course for calculus 1. My GPA would be looking pretty good without this F on there. Next semester I plan on retaking a placement test until I am able to get into my required calculus class, so there will be no need in retaking trig. Would it be possible for my advisor/counselor to drop that F once I make it into the calculus class or will I be forced to retake the trig class (even though I don’t need it) to boost my GPA back up? Thanks.
    -Andy

    ???????????????

    Andy

    The entire time I read your message I was picturing Andy from Toy Story, who as of the 3 movie was heading off to college. Andy how did you never notice Woody could talk … really?

    I have the sneaky idea that you don’t attend U of T. So this would be a question for your college’s registrar.
    This is how failing courses goes at U of T.
    1) If you are failing a course and it is past the drop-date, you can Late Withdrawel from the course. Meaning that it will not effect your CGPA but will show up on your transcript.

    2) While in the course you can choose to make the course a credit/no credit which also does not effect your CGPA

    In general, you can’t get rid of that failed course after the fact of completing the course.

    If only we could just use white out on our transcipts and hope the ink doesn’t bleed through

    Always and forever,

    Aska

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  • failing

    Not such an epic fail

    December 19, 2010

    Hi aska,
    This is my first year at Uof T and im loving it, minus the grades. Infact I?most likely failed chemistry. My question is what do i do now!?? It’s a half?course and a prerequisite for next year. Can i take it again in the summer,?do i have to retake the WHOLE thing?? labs and all? Or am i gonna be kicked?out of the program now? I’m so confused, please let me know what people do?at this school if they fail.

    Thank you,
    Epic Fail

    ???????????????

    Whaaaaaadup Epic Fail,

    What is it with this first year chem course? I’m getting quite the heap of tissues used to wipe the tears of all students in that course.

    But yah, you’re going to have to take that dreaded course again. The WHOLE friggin thing. Unfortunately the summer course calendar won’t be published for a a couple months. Here’s the one from last summer. If it was offered last summer, there’s a chance it will be this summer too.

    The school’s not that cut throat. You won’t be kicked out of your program … probably. If you want you can make an appointment with academic advisor … they’re quite lovely people … and they can look your specific situation and program requirements

    Peace and Love baby,
    Aska

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  • failing,  GPA,  probation

    had a bad year

    September 3, 2010

    Dear Aska,

    I’m currently a third year student at UofT, but had a pretty rough year: I literally failed all four of the courses I took. So far my GPA has been calculated on ROSI, but my academic standing doesn’t seem to be listed (I heard from someone that they don’t assess your standing if you didn’t get at least one credit that session, but I digress). My question is, is there any way to get the past year off of my cGPA or is my best bet to just retake all of those courses?

    Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Sorry to hear about your rough year. It definitely happens to the best of us (and more often than you think). Your past year will totally count towards your CGPA since it’s a cumulative calculation of your entire academic history. Since you didn’t do a late withdrawal on the courses before the end of the term, they will count towards your degree. If you need the credits to graduate, you will have to retake the courses and pass them, however, I imagine that you are probably on academic probation.

    Here’s what the calendar says about academic probation. Remember that if this happens more than three times, you will be refused from the faculty.

    Probation; Suspension; Refused Further Registration

    The following regulations apply to students who have attempted at least four courses* in the Faculty.

    1. A student shall be on academic probation who

    a) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 or

    b) returns from suspension.

    The best thing to do is talk to your registrar as immediately as possible to find out how to proceed. On academic probation, you won’t be able to register in any courses for this fall semester. Soon enough, your GPA will show up on ROSI but for now, talk to your registrar about how to go forward.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • failing,  suspension,  switching

    i’m suspended, can i go somewhere else?

    August 4, 2010

    Hi,I was wondering if i can apply for college, if im on suspension? Im on suspension now for 1 year and im thinking of switching out of UofT any ways,but im not sure if i can since i am on suspension
    thanks

    ———————————————

    Hello there! I have asked a registrar at Innis College about your situation and here’s what they told me…um, here it is.

    Basically you can feel free to approach other schools about letting you take courses there, but none of those credits that you’ve taken, while you are suspended, will count towards your degree. If you are interested in one day returning to U of T after your year long suspension, maybe it doesn’t make sense to take classes that will not go towards your degree? I don’t know, I am just a gender-ambiguous expert in academic course registration. But if you love learning and don’t care about time or money being (in some people’s minds, not mine) “wasted”, then by all means go forth. After your year of being on suspension, you will be able to either register in classes at U of T again, or transfer to another school (though please talk to your registrar about transfer credits). Hopefully this helps! In the meantime, spend your time partying and working on your tan.

    xoxo, Askastudent

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  • failing,  GPA

    my bad GPA

    July 5, 2010

    Hi, well I started at Uof T as part time student and now I am in entering my
    second year however I did pretty bad last year my GPA is 1.60, I want to
    improve and try to get into full time but I am conditioned because I? failed
    a course and obviously my GPA is not helping.? Do you think I will be able
    to boost up my GPA to a 3.5? or up by my 3rd 4th year and realistically how
    much work that will be?

    ———————————————

    There’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to boost your GPA after a bad year, as everybody has them. Academics are like anything – you gotta put enough time into them to make them worth your while. Here’s four tips I have for you on how to improve your marks for next year.

    1) Consider what you’re interested in and what you are good at. My GPA rose, rose, rose once I started taking classes that I was actually good at and interested in, and stopped taking philosophy classes. Consider the smaller programs offered by University College, Innis, Trinity, Victoria, New and Woodworth. Flip through your calendar and timetable and take a look at what really interests you.

    2) Use the writing centre at your college registrar to improve your essays. I can’t stress this enough. Writing a good essay is an art form that some have problems with – it’s all about constructing a seamless, articulate argument. There are amazing people who can help you, and it guarantees a boost in your assignments by at least 10 percent.

    3) Go to your class office hours. Your profs and TAs are being paid so that you can ask them questions about course material and assignments. They might even be able to look through your assignments with you after they’ve graded them and help you in the future. These people are your lifelines to an “A” and the best resources you have for learning more about your subject of study.

    4) Do all the readings, prepare for the tests and hand in the assignments on time. It’s hard to manage school, extra-curriculars and other part-time work, so make sure you’re not taking too much on.

    Work hard, give it your all and your 4.0 GPA is yours. Here’s a little theme music to keep your inspired.

    xoxo, askastudent

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  • failing,  hard

    A bit of a history lesson

    November 9, 2009

    Hey !So there’s a rumour going around and I was just wondering if it’s true. Apparently UofT accepts everyone for their first year and they make the first year courses really hard so the students will either fail or drop out.
    Is the drop out rate high for first years? Also, are the first year courses really that hard or is it just these slackers who don’t have good work ethics?
    Thanks!

    ————————————-

    UofT was first founded in 1827 with the intention of robbing students of their money. Since then, it has historically taken the money of thousands of students per year. In fact, the influence of UofT is so great, that we’ve robbed Margaret Atwood, Paul Martin, and John Macleod, for their money. Anyway, UofT then blackmails each of its students into encouraging their friends and family to come to UofT, so that the cycle continues. You better be careful who you?re talking to. You never know if the people you?re sitting next to are UofT grads who are just waiting to get you when your turn comes.

    In all seriousness. UofT is a university that is world-renowned in many categories, so obviously University is not going to be a cruise. You do not come here if you just want to laze around the next four years off your life. There are many other places where you can do that.

    First year courses come as a shock to many, but a lot of it is also because University is very different than high school in almost every way?the way you’re taught is different, the environment is different, the people around you are different, yada yada. You?ll probably need a bit (or a lot) of time to make the transition. Of course, whether or not the courses are difficult, to you, also depends your abilities, interests, previous knowledge, and work ethic. Aska has actually heard that UofT actually has the highest retention rate (percentage of people who stay at the University after first year), though I’m not sure how much truth there is to that statement. Anyway, even if you fail a few courses, you can still continue in the University, so no, UofT certainly doesn’t fail people out.

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