Grudging Grace

If you’re like me (and I fear you are, and hope you aren’t), then there are times you aren’t very gracious about extending grace. Today I was the poster child for GGD, Grudging Grace Syndrome, and I suspect more than a few faculty suffer from it, especially at the end of term. This isn’t an online telethon—raising funds will never find a cure, only raising prayer. Fortunately, there are no busy signals on that hotline.

Seeing the End From the Beginning

It never fails. The last week of class, I am hit with a surge of students who all of a sudden are “concerned about their grade in the course.” All of a sudden they realize graduation is jeopardized because they blew off a lab report in January for a one credit hour course. Realize that I give them a chance to do one extra experiment at the end of the semester to replace a low report, so that lab report in January shouldn’t be a problem,

except…

A Time for Peace

"The Artist's Garden at Giverty," Claude Monet, 1900.

During the end of term stress most in the academy feel right about now, I offer this fable that has gone ‘round the net for years. This is a version I’ve cobbled together from a couple of others. Hope it inspires you the way it does me, reminding me of the nature of God’s peace in our lives.

In the medieval times, a king wanted a painting in his throne room—a portrait representation of peace, so that in bad times he could glance at it to calm his soul. Thus, he decreed a contest to all artists in his kingdom to paint their best representation of peace and the winner would be rewarded greatly.

All artists submitted their finest work for the king to examine. 

Things That Go Bump at the End of the Semester

In an earlier post, I think I mentioned how as a student I hated the end of the semester because it meant I was out of time for ‘catching up,’ and that now end-of-term-dread is lessened, but not removed, because I get to see human beings change into cornered/panicked animals. It’s not a pretty sight.

Today, I did a preliminary posting of the grades on one of the university’s online gradebooks, and announced as much. About 45 minutes ago, I got a panicked email (from a non-native English speaking student):

“Dear Dr Robb J Wilson

                   I just go to eGradebook to check my grade and I didn't see my letter grade yet. Oh no, am I fail your class?”

Emotion trumps logic—“No letter grade = fail” instead of “No Letter Grade = @$%@#$$ technology” Keep in mind also, that the numerical grade IS posted, and the grade breaks are in the syllabus. That’s too much work. It’s much easier to panic and email the instructor. And these are upperclassmen.

In all honesty, I do get frustrated and tired by the stream of panic, attempted manipulation, anger, indignation, immaturity, and so on. I forget that this is actually a small percentage of the total class (something about a squeaking wheel comes to mind). My defenses are raised up and I have to force myself sometimes to stop and listen to them to see if, actually, they have a valid complaint. I should be more patient. I just want to wrap up the semester and move on.

Then I remember our Father. I have to laugh at what HIS perspective must be when He sees/hears us panic at what to Him is not even an anthill. I suddenly get real thankful that He shows me far more patience than I sometimes show my students. Is my frustration reflecting Christ? Uhh, let me get back to you.

SDG

The Office of Dead Grandmothers

At a staff meeting this week, I was letting my TA’s know of a student who had been causing some problems, so they could be on alert if he got out of hand, and in the process, told them how he’d emailed me to say he’d had a death in the family and would I let him sign up late for a required oral presentation.

At this point, a senior staff member (and friend) who I remember from my undergrad days, piped up and asked if I’d referred the student to the university’s “Office of Dead Grandmothers.”

Priceless.

Then, today, I got a notice from the dean about another of my students who was reeling from the death last weekend of his roommate. Please pray for him and the roommate’s family.

I warn my students on the first day of class that tragedy has a tendency to strike right at the last week of classes, and that they should have a Plan B for success if it does. It never fails.

SDG

Wrapping Up

I don’t know about you, but when I was a student, I hated the last few weeks of the semester. As a procrastinator, it meant time was up and it all had to be done, NOW. I realize many, if not most, students are like that, and try to design my class accordingly, making different stages wind up at different points. There is still a rush at the end for many, but they no longer are able to be faced with a whole semester’s worth of work to do in two weeks. It also makes my TA’s lives easier because they aren’t faced with as big of an avalanche of grading bad reports thrown together at the end.

The funny thing is, I still have trepidation about the end of the semester, though, thankfully, I can meet it with more joy than anxiety. There are certain tasks I just cannot do ahead of time, so they all come together at the end. That wouldn’t be too bad, except I also have to deal with the panicked students who are realizing they aren’t passing a one hour class required for their degree.

Thankfully, in general, each semester I’m more organized and have less that I’ve forgotten to set up. This frees me up to meet with students with grace and willingness, and less frustration.

In the comments section, please share your end of semester tips, traditions, favorite/horror stories, and even fears.

SDG