I seriously do not know what to do. My final is due tomorrow and it has to be 1700 words and I am only at 462. I am already failing the class. What happens if I fail the class, which I already know I am going to.
Scooby, no one here can do your thinking and writing for you. YOU must do the reading and comprehending to form YOUR OWN ideas. YOU must form the ideas and be able to translate them into sentences and paragraphs. ONLY YOU can do this. We can point you in particular directions, provide websites and a few ideas, but ONLY YOU can take all the ideas, make some sense out of them, and write the papers.
So ask yourself, if you fail the course, what will you have learned? Will you take the course again and work harder? Will you read with better understanding and come up with different ideas to write papers around? I've had students in college freshman and sophomore English classes who did just that: failed the first time through, returned and did much better. Some of them took a more basic English course before returning to re-take what I was teaching.
Remember: An instructor does a student a great disservice if he/she "gives" the student a passing grade that wasn't earned. That student then goes on to take other, more difficult courses and probably wonders why he/she doesn't understand what's going on and doesn't pass them.
"The only real failure is failing to learn from failure."
http://www.tabor.edu.au/articles/2000/sep2000a.html
Now, end of speech-ifying! What do you need to do?
Do you have an outline for the paper you're trying to write? If not, write one -- now!
If you have an outline, have you been following it? If not, do so.
If you have an outline, does it truly include all the ideas (main and supporting) that you need to be writing about to support your thesis?
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Read through the steps and see if you are really being thorough.
Now -- get off the Internet and get busy. You'll never get that paper done if you're constantly on the Internet -- wasting time!
=)
I am going to be somewhat direct. You have been on this and related topics for a month now, and yet you still have not been able to organize, nor analyze, nor comprehend others thoughts on this subject. I wonder if you are aiming at the right profession, ie, teaching. Teaching is an art wherein you have to develope those skills in others to their potential, and recognize exactly that potential.
As Writeacher stated, use the failure wisely. Oh, you may pull thru, some schools have a magic way of making that happen, but be honest with yourself, and learn some lessons in it.
More advice!
1. Plan ahead; don't leave things until the last minute. Keep up EACH day.
2. Pick a topic. Perhaps the teacher gave it to you at the last minute?
3. Do the research. This is what often takes the time. If you use 3 x 5 note cards it's easier to organize.
4. Write the outline. The first paragraph will be the introduction, including the topic you are writing on and what you intend to proove, or disproove.
5. The last paragraph sums it all up.
6. All the other paragraphs have something specific to say about your topic.
7. It's best to leave the proofreading for the next day, but in any event, proofread for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
8. I used to have my students skip lines with the essay so it was easier to go back and correct or add something.
Best of luck! Get a good night's sleep, a good breakfast, if you have more to write in class on the final. You can NOT do in one night what you were to do during the entire class.
If you need to take the class over, you should have a far better idea of what to do.
Sra
Bobpursley, Writeacher, and SraJMcGin have all given you excellent advice. It's not the end of the world if you fail a class. The important thing is that you learn from this experience. I wish you the best of luck in your educational career.
Scooby... everyone has failed at something. The trick is in what did you "learn" from the failure. I always learn 'well, I won't make that mistake again." Then I go take another swat at it... The trick is to LEARN something from everything that happens in your life...both the good and the bad.
We have tried to give you the very best advice we can for "learning". Now, do the best you can on the test; hopefully you will be able to use some of our suggestions. We all hope you pass, but if you don't. Then LEARN from the errors you made and go take another swat at it.
I understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be to face a looming deadline and potential failure in a class. While I can't provide a solution to the situation, I can offer guidance on how to navigate it. Here are a few steps you can take:
1. Assess your options: Evaluate if there are any possible extensions or accommodations you can request from your instructor due to your circumstances. It's worth reaching out and explaining your situation to see if they can offer any flexibility.
2. Prioritize your focus: Concentrate on completing the remaining content for your final rather than focusing on the possibility of failing the class. Dividing the word count into smaller, manageable chunks can help. Set specific goals for each writing session to make steady progress.
3. Research and gather information: If you are struggling to reach the desired word count, consider conducting additional research to find more relevant information on your topic. Look for academic sources such as scholarly articles, books, or reputable websites to support your arguments and broaden your discussion.
4. Expand and elaborate: Review your existing content and look for areas that can be further developed. Add more examples, case studies, or explanations to strengthen your arguments and increase the word count. Be careful not to include excessive fluff or irrelevant information.
5. Revise and edit: Once you have completed your final paper, spend some time reviewing and editing it. Check for grammar, clarity, and coherence. Polish your sentences and ensure your ideas flow logically. This process can also help you identify areas where you can add more content if needed.
Regarding the potential consequences of failing the class, it is best to refer to your school's policies and the syllabus for specific details. Typically, failing a class may result in a poor grade, impacting your GPA. Additionally, it might require you to retake the course if it is a required or prerequisite class. Contact your academic advisor or professor to discuss the implications and potential options moving forward.
Remember, it's crucial to reach out for support from your instructor, academic advisor, or classmates who may be able to provide guidance or assistance during this difficult time.