NationStates Jolt Archive

Greetings,
I'm back. I've been too busy for NS so I entrusted my NS to my brother's "care". If he did anything stupid please tell me.

Ok here's my problem. I live in the US which is notable for a selfish society, messed up school and medical programs and dangerous activists in government. As you've probably guessed this is a school issue. My math teacher treats us more like photo-copyers than humans with souls and brains (probably because USians deevolved the lack thereof) So I get loads of homework/classwork with deadlines too short, I have to smegging do ten worksheets a day with inexplicit and confusing directions. And the "group" I'm in snubbs me and refuses to help me at all (they do group stuff in math under the teacher's orders) and when they do better they seem to rub it in. And the teacher is intimidating so I'm too afraid of how he'll react if I tell him this stuff. Advice?

Some universities offer free tutors to lesser grades (work experience and such) so you could try that, you could complain to the office, ask a friend for help and for the overload I would reccomend looking over the worksheet before you start and finding questions that are simliar if there are +2 that are the same only do one if you get the concept anless you have to hand in your work, in which case you're fucked.

Holy run on sentence/comma splices. sorry about that.

Greetings,
I'm back. I've been too busy for NS so I entrusted my NS to my brother's "care". If he did anything stupid please tell me.

Ok here's my problem. I live in the US which is notable for a selfish society, messed up school and medical programs and dangerous activists in government. As you've probably guessed this is a school issue. My math teacher treats us more like photo-copyers than humans with souls and brains (probably because USians deevolved the lack thereof) So I get loads of homework/classwork with deadlines too short, I have to smegging do ten worksheets a day with inexplicit and confusing directions. And the "group" I'm in snubbs me and refuses to help me at all (they do group stuff in math under the teacher's orders) and when they do better they seem to rub it in. And the teacher is intimidating so I'm too afraid of how he'll react if I tell him this stuff. Advice?

Advice point #1: Grow a pair. Tell your teacher you need help. The surest sign of maturity is admitting that you don't know it all, and in fact need help. If he's so damn reactive that he does in fact 'intimidate/belittle' you, go to the dean/principal. He works for you, not the other way around (although you should refrain from the 'my parents' tax dollars pay your salary' line (that should be saved for a drunken encounter with Johnny Law when you're 18+).

Advice #2: Actually, I think #1 covers it for now...

Some universities offer free tutors to lesser grades (work experience and such) so you could try that, you could complain to the office, ask a friend for help and for the overload I would reccomend looking over the worksheet before you start and finding questions that are simliar if there are +2 that are the same only do one if you get the concept anless you have to hand in your work, in which case you're fucked.

Holy run on sentence/comma splices. sorry about that.

You'd be surprised how quickly he tells us to hand in our work....:(

You'd be surprised how quickly he tells us to hand in our work....:(
How quickly?

You'd be surprised how quickly he tells us to hand in our work....:(

No, I wouldn't. I went to school in America, too. Many moons ago, but I digress...

Just ask for help, and document the fact that you're asking for it. If he's not willing to work with you, then he's a 'grade taker', not a teacher.

Seriously, take that first step. It might be hard, but you'd be surprised how far it can take you.

Greetings,
I'm back. I've been too busy for NS so I entrusted my NS to my brother's "care". If he did anything stupid please tell me.

Ok here's my problem. I live in the US which is notable for a selfish society, messed up school and medical programs and dangerous activists in government. As you've probably guessed this is a school issue. My math teacher treats us more like photo-copyers than humans with souls and brains (probably because USians deevolved the lack thereof) So I get loads of homework/classwork with deadlines too short, I have to smegging do ten worksheets a day with inexplicit and confusing directions. And the "group" I'm in snubbs me and refuses to help me at all (they do group stuff in math under the teacher's orders) and when they do better they seem to rub it in. And the teacher is intimidating so I'm too afraid of how he'll react if I tell him this stuff. Advice?

1) Talk to teacher.
2) Tutoring.
3) Stop feeling like a victim.

How quickly?

5-20 minutes, last year I got the same worksheets, one or two a day and we got 1-2 days on them. But this year I'm more focused on getting it in on time then getting it right.

5-20 minutes, last year I got the same worksheets, one or two a day and we got 1-2 days on them. But this year I'm more focused on getting it in on time then getting it right.
You mean you're actually being asked to streach yourself then?

I have to agree with everyone else. Talk to the teacher if you need changes due to other reasons and to change the group, get some help in Math, and buckle down and do it.

How can it be stretching yourself? Maybe if that was the purpose, but it seems to be more like a "I'm just keeping them busy, doing my job" kinda attitude.

There are many difficult tasks in life, you dont gain anything by throwing yourself a pity-party. I reccomend that you ask the teacher for help. If he refuses, he is not performing his duties and you actually have something to take to the administration. That you will not talk to him at all leaves no blame on his part.

Blaming your culture and country for your shortcomings also has its limits.

How can it be stretching yourself? Maybe if that was the purpose, but it seems to be more like a "I'm just keeping them busy, doing my job" kinda attitude.

Again, it's really a conversation to have with the source of your anxiety, i.e. your teacher. Ask for his point of view; offer yours.

You might be surprised by what he has to say. Or not. Regardless, it's up to you to take the first step. Admit that you need help, whatever help that may be (a tutor, more time to complete assignments, whatever).


Originally posted by Katganistan
1) Talk to teacher.
2) Tutoring.
3) Stop feeling like a victim

Pretty much sums it up.

I went through pretty much the same thing. The only advice I can give you is to refuse to be a victim. You must learn to embrace confrontation.
1) Confront your classmates who are snubbing you. Remind them that this isn't a social group for only people they like. This never works, but it's necessary for step 2.
2) If this doesn't work out, confront your teacher. Make him aware that you've tried to resolve the problem yourself and ask to be assigned to a different group. He'll most likely give some bullshit excuse about how he can't change the groups around, but that's not the point.
3) Now you confront the principal. Make him aware that you've tried steps 1 and 2, and that you're grades are going to affect the school's average. That tends to push their buttons pretty well. And what do you want him to do? Remind the teacher that he's there to teach, not organize play groups.
4) Chances are you've gone through all of that and it's been a hellish, frustrating mess and not a damn thing has changed. But that which does not kill us makes us stronger. Sure, I'm cynical and bitter, but I prefer it to whimpering in the corner.