NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!

andra loves andre

I'm finishing a major course that has a huge research paper. The prof is incredibly absent-minded and lives in his own little world. Whenever anyone asks him something, he doesn't understant what's going on and gives some answer that has absolutely nothing to do with the question.

I used to have an OK teaching assistant who marked my proposal, and gave me a couple pointers. I fixed them, but when I had to hand it in again, he wasn't there! Turns out that he quit and I got shifted to another TA, who gave me a 62% on my proposal, because she wanted the EXACT OPPOSITE of what the first TA said! She also penalized me for doing things that she thought were against APA style (though I showed her the guide after, and she was wrong!). 

She wouldn't adjust my mark to reflect the things she had marked me incorrectly on, instead, she said she'll help me with my major assignment, and that I can email her the drafts and she can help me with it as long as its at least 3 weeks before they're due. 

I took it to heart and did it early (5 weeks before it's due!) and emailed her the first draft. After she ignored a bunch of my emails, she finally messaged me back and told me that I have to correct another million things. So I did and sent it back to her again (4 weeks before it's due). She replied that "looking through it once was a favour, she doesn't have the time to do it again". 

I don't understand how she can promise to help me if all she can spare is 20 minutes in 3 months, and doesn't have that 20 minutes again in the next 4 weeks (my paper is only 3.5 pages so far!).

I'm so scared that I'm going to fail this course and there's no one to help me. I feel like I'm trying so freaking hard and all I get is kicked around.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom? This is bringing me down so badly

NicoleSahara

I think you need to talk to a higher up, that sounds so frustrating, and this new TA sounds ridiculous. She graded you incorrectly, you showed her it was incorrect, and she wouldn't adjust your grade? I would be talking to anyone in charge I could get ahold of about that. Not to mention the polar opposite requests of one TA to the next. Can you talk to the original TA and get his support on the issue? Did the professor's incompetence have something to do with why he quit?

AdeleDazeem

I'm going to need to know way more about this class, who these TAs are and who is actually in charge of your grade.  What is the subject of this class?  Are the TAs graduate students?  What is this paper you are writing?  Will your professor even read the paper?

Having a been a TA (as a grad student), I might be more helpful after I know this stuff :-)

Rummi302

Are there office hours with the TA or professor? That might be a better time to sit down and get feedback about your work. The TA might have been abrupt in how she did it, but there is a limit to how much feedback they can give outside their designated hours.

whitsy

I have nothing helpful except to commiserate. I have been having a very frustrating semester with a professor who sounds very similar to yours, except he didn't up and leave.

Maybe speaking with the head of your department would help.

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:bbb73dc2-601d-49d5-9387-f2b075f10d6f">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I think you need to talk to a higher up, that sounds so frustrating, and this new TA sounds ridiculous. She graded you incorrectly, you showed her it was incorrect, and she wouldn't adjust your grade? I would be talking to anyone in charge I could get ahold of about that. Not to mention the polar opposite requests of one TA to the next. Can you talk to the original TA and get his support on the issue? Did the professor's incompetence have something to do with why he quit?
Posted by NicoleSahara[/QUOTE]

<div>It's beyond frustrating, and it's a really important course that counts for a lot! </div><div>
</div><div>Her reasoning for not adjusting my grade was "well even so, I might have only docked you 1 or 2 percent for that and it's insignificant as a whole", and that was her excuse for EVERYTHING. If I added those extra 1-2%'s I would have gotten a heck of a lot better!</div><div>
</div><div>I've tried to get in touch with the old TA, but no answer. I've emailed him quite a few times, actually. I'm guessing he quit because of the prof's incompetence, but I'm not 100% sure. I dislike the way that class is run as a student, he must have disliked working there, too. </div><div>
</div><div>I'm not sure who else I can talk that's "higher up", but I'm planning on finding out. I'm going to try talking to the prof again, and seeing how much he can understand. I'd at least hope he can switch me to a new TA (we have two in the course, but I don't know what the other one is like). </div><div>
</div><div>An example of the polar opposite thing between the two TA's:</div><div>
</div><div>on the first proposal, the first TA said that I have a "good methodology". That's literally what he put down about that. </div><div>On the second proposal, the second TA said that I have to "learn how to do a methodology".</div><div>
</div><div>When I showed her how the comments are opposing, she's like "oh well he probably meant that your theory was good but your writing style isn't up to par". Ok, where did he write that? NOWHERE. she just kept trying to find justifications for everything and interpret his comments in whatever way suited her.</div>

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:fbab9fcc-3781-49aa-8a2b-0a39ffc36e18">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm going to need to know way more about this class, who these TAs are and who is actually in charge of your grade.  What is the subject of this class?  Are the TAs graduate students?  What is this paper you are writing?  Will your professor even read the paper? Having a been a TA (as a grad student), I might be more helpful after I know this stuff :-)
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]

<div>I really would appreciate any help, especially if you've been a TA!</div><div>
</div><div>This class is a course where we're required to run a research project and report the findings. Basically I ran a psychology survey and I have to write paper on the way it was conducted and the results. </div><div>
</div><div>The TA is a student that's doing a joint Masters-PhD program (kind of a 2-in-1). They are responsible for most of the grade, the prof only randomly looks through a few papers after they mark them to makes sure he agrees. So he'd only read the paper if it's the random one he picks up.</div>

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:804ecae4-66aa-440e-ac01-1e6bfb321adb">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]Are there office hours with the TA or professor? That might be a better time to sit down and get feedback about your work. The TA might have been abrupt in how she did it, but there is a limit to how much feedback they can give outside their designated hours.
Posted by Rummi302[/QUOTE]

<div>Both the prof and the TA have office hours. She didn't even offer "come during my office hours", she just said NO and it's due 4 weeks from now, so I don't get how in 4 weeks she knows for sure that she won't have 20 minutes to read it through again, especially after promising to help me only a couple of weeks ago!</div>

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:3fcc1045-fef8-4265-bc1f-4a4247ab0970">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have nothing helpful except to commiserate. I have been having a very frustrating semester with a professor who sounds very similar to yours, except he didn't up and leave. Maybe speaking with the head of your department would help.
Posted by whitsy[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm sad to hear that you're in the same situation :( </div><div>
</div><div>I will definitely go higher up if need be, because this treatment just is not ok!</div>

MrsGandthebeag

I would suggest going to a writing or tutoring center at your college.  That's a really crappy situation, sorry.  

Rummi302

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:28937e00-2384-4553-9928-349fbd7ae523">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : Both the prof and the TA have office hours. She didn't even offer "come during my office hours", she just said NO and it's due 4 weeks from now, so I don't get how in 4 weeks she knows for sure that she won't have 20 minutes to read it through again, especially after promising to help me only a couple of weeks ago!
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

<div>Seriously, go to the office hours and ask for feedback. If they turn you away then, then complain to the chair of the department. I think by providing feedback via email once the TA fulfilled her promise to help you. Now it's time to go to her office and get additional help.</div>

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:97e5f613-9344-4799-821b-050618011864">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : I really would appreciate any help, especially if you've been a TA! This class is a course where we're required to run a research project and report the findings. Basically I ran a psychology survey and I have to write paper on the way it was conducted and the results.  The TA is a student that's doing a joint Masters-PhD program (kind of a 2-in-1). They are responsible for most of the grade, the prof only randomly looks through a few papers after they mark them to makes sure he agrees. So he'd only read the paper if it's the random one he picks up.
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

Okay... here's my best advice:

Take the most recent read through from your TA and rework it to the best of your ability from what she says.  If she has office hours, go to them with your new version.  I wouldn't recommend emailing her and asking her to read it again because she's going to get seriously annoyed, which is only going to hurt you.  If you has specific questions, feel free to ask, but don't send her the whole thing. 

Keep all your old drafts and responses from the TAs so you have evidence of how hard you tried and how conflicting the information is.

If the grade you get in the end is poor (not that you got a B+ instead of an A- or something), then take all your stuff to the prof and demand he understand.  If he doesn't, go to the head of the department.  You tried.  You did what you were supposed to, but you aren't a mind reader and trying to be so is a ridiculous way to grade.

TAs are fallible.  We have classes and our own stuff to do.  We aren't teachers - we are merely doing the best we can while balancing a whole lot of stuff.  Profs rely on them because they are cheap labor but when push comes to shove, they are in charge... not the TAs.  I know it may not seem like it to you, the student - but I assure you, to the school and the department, the prof is in charge and needs to take responsibility.

hearthemelody

I worked much of my way through college as a receptionist in the tutoring center, so here is my advice:

Many, if not most schools have 1: a tutoring center 2: a writing center 3: an omsbuds or mediator for problems with a faculty member. I would check with the school and see if you can get in contact with the resources on campus. If nothing else, make friends with the receptionists in the psychology or writing departments. They know where to go, I promise.

Also, there may be another teacher who is teaching/has taught this course. Touch base with them about what to do.

As for being upset about the issue, just calm down, take a breath, realize you still have a month to work on this. It will be okay. You are a smart cookie, and will get through this.

 Feel any better?

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:d1c5e08e-4931-4b5a-b85a-ba251958d091">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I would suggest going to a writing or tutoring center at your college.  That's a really crappy situation, sorry.  
Posted by MrsGandthebeag[/QUOTE]

<div>I tried this, but she seems to find fault even where there isn't (I've proven her wrong multiple times and she still won't regrade my assignments). I usually do really well in other courses, and have never been told I have bad "writing style", it's been the other way around so far!</div><div>
</div><div>I'm still going to a writing center at the university because they'll at least catch some mistakes, but she seems to have HER OWN preferences and expect me to just read her mind and do them.</div><div>
</div><div>O man, I'm so frustrated and scared for my mark, it really is a crappy situation :(</div>

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:5f6d38b2-ddf3-45b2-bf4e-3f4da0611733">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : Okay... here's my best advice: Take the most recent read through from your TA and rework it to the best of your ability from what she says.  If she has office hours, go to them with your new version.  I wouldn't recommend emailing her and asking her to read it again because she's going to get seriously annoyed, which is only going to hurt you.  If you has specific questions, feel free to ask, but don't send her the whole thing.  Keep all your old drafts and responses from the TAs so you have evidence of how hard you tried and how conflicting the information is. If the grade you get in the end is poor (not that you got a B+ instead of an A- or something), then take all your stuff to the prof and demand he understand.  If he doesn't, go to the head of the department.  You tried.  You did what you were supposed to, but you aren't a mind reader and trying to be so is a ridiculous way to grade. TAs are fallible.  We have classes and our own stuff to do.  We aren't teachers - we are merely doing the best we can while balancing a whole lot of stuff.  Profs rely on them because they are cheap labor but when push comes to shove, they are in charge... not the TAs.  I know it may not seem like it to you, the student - but I assure you, to the school and the department, the prof is in charge and needs to take responsibility.
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]

<div>Thanks for the advice :) So if I go during her office hours, she should be able to help in your opinion? And if that fails, then go to the prof? or even higher up?</div>

AdeleDazeem

I might also recommend looking for another student who has TAed the course in the past.  Grad students usually have to do it at some point in time or another so it shouldn't be too hard. 

TAs are not tutors - this is why she won't read and re-read your stuff.  However, others who have TAed in the past are willing to be tutors.  You might be able to find someone willing to read your stuff and give you continual feedback.  I loved tutoring once I was done with TAing.  Very lucrative for a poor grad student :-)

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:91831f0b-b80e-4040-a617-79b10f296a46">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I worked much of my way through college as a receptionist in the tutoring center, so here is my advice: Many, if not most schools have 1: a tutoring center 2: a writing center 3: an omsbuds or mediator for problems with a faculty member. I would check with the school and see if you can get in contact with the resources on campus. If nothing else, make friends with the receptionists in the psychology or writing departments. They know where to go, I promise. Also, there may be another teacher who is teaching/has taught this course. Touch base with them about what to do. As for being upset about the issue, just calm down, take a breath, realize you still have a month to work on this. It will be okay. You are a smart cookie, and will get through this.  Feel any better?
Posted by hearthemelody[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Thanks for the advice, I'll get in touch with the writing centers asap! </div><div>
</div><div>How does the mediation thing go? I haven't heard of it yet.</div><div>
</div><div>I'm trying to calm down but it's hard not to freak out (to add to the problem, I suffer from panic attacks). You're right though, still a month to go... and I do feel a bit better!

</div>

Rummi302

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:7c688326-9971-4428-babe-6009b6802444">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : I tried this, but she seems to find fault even where there isn't (I've proven her wrong multiple times and she still won't regrade my assignments). I usually do really well in other courses, and have never been told I have bad "writing style", it's been the other way around so far! I'm still going to a writing center at the university because they'll at least catch some mistakes, but she seems to have HER OWN preferences and expect me to just read her mind and do them. O man, I'm so frustrated and scared for my mark, it really is a crappy situation :(
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

<div>If you think you were misgraded then why wouldn't you go to the professor? The worst that could happen is he could turn you away, then you'd have cause for escalating the issue. Office hours are there for a reasons.</div>

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:356d51a0-669b-4742-ab23-ecd49d948000">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]I might also recommend looking for another student who has TAed the course in the past.  Grad students usually have to do it at some point in time or another so it shouldn't be too hard.  TAs are not tutors - this is why she won't read and re-read your stuff.  However, others who have TAed in the past are willing to be tutors.  You might be able to find someone willing to read your stuff and give you continual feedback.  I loved tutoring once I was done with TAing.  Very lucrative for a poor grad student :-)
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]

<div>I fully understand that TAs are not tutors, and that's why I asked her if she's willing to look through it (even the prof said that they will). She said she will help me as long as everything is 3 weeks before, and now she just flat out won't do anything to help anymore... she's even ignoring my emails about specific questions (such as how to input data into the program she wants us to use, etc).</div>

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:8806f356-62c8-4a65-88b0-9a88b619f40b">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : Thanks for the advice :) So if I go during her office hours, she should be able to help in your opinion? And if that fails, then go to the prof? or even higher up?
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

Yes... I would just caution going too high up when you don't even know what your grade is.  She might talk a good game and then just give you an A.  You know?  It's hard to cause a stink over something that <em>might</em> happen.

Office hours are for helping students.  That's why they have them.  You can go with your new version and ask her specific questions about certain problems areas that she had in the past.  I don't recommend going and having her read the whole thing, but given her smaller sections and ask if you are improving, is the methodology okay, etc...

andra loves andre

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:bda882dd-4de8-4f70-83c3-fd0926b0fbfd">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : If you think you were misgraded then why wouldn't you go to the professor? The worst that could happen is he could turn you away, then you'd have cause for escalating the issue. Office hours are there for a reasons.
Posted by Rummi302[/QUOTE]

<div>I think I'll have to go to the prof at this point, because it's really spinning out of hand. And if this continues, then I'll also have to take it higher up. I'm a bit scared of the process, as I've never had to do that before.</div>

AdeleDazeem

Yeah... if she's not answering your emails, I'd stop emailing and go to office hours.  She can't ignore you there!

Rummi302

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:7e0dcb3a-6a1d-4090-9692-6f2176971e6f">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : I fully understand that TAs are not tutors, and that's why I asked her if she's willing to look through it (even the prof said that they will). She said she will help me as long as everything is 3 weeks before, and now she just flat out won't do anything to help anymore... she's even ignoring my emails about specific questions (such as <strong>how to input data into the program she wants us to use</strong>, etc).
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

<div>Google is your friend. My advice is also to stop emailing the TA quite so much. Try to find other resources on campus if you need additional help with computer programs and the like. Unless this is a course specifically geared toward teaching that particular program, then I'd say the TA is fairly justified in ignoring that email.</div>

AdeleDazeem

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:19a4dfc4-b618-47dd-9b77-892b18b2a48d">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : Google is your friend. My advice is also to stop emailing the TA quite so much. Try to find other resources on campus if you need additional help with computer programs and the like. Unless this is a course specifically geared toward teaching that particular program, then I'd say the TA is fairly justified in ignoring that email.
Posted by Rummi302[/QUOTE]

Agreed.

Good luck!  I know things seem to large and final when you're a student, but once you see the other side, you realize that the machine isn't as set in stone as you think.  Relax - it really all will be okay.

Arguments will be heard and professors can be made to understand what is going on.  Stand up for yourself if you feel you have just cause - go to the prof, go to the head of the department.  But, don't cry wolf.  That's the best I can tell you.

jmconley08

Go straight to the head/chair of the department with all your papers and information about the situation. If that doesn't help go higher. Email the president if you have to. You are probably paying big bucks for your education and as long as you are doing the work, which it sounds like you are, then they need to do their part to help you succeed. Good luck!

Rummi302

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:e4ba5631-890e-4b78-a564-8b368684ab02">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]Go straight to the head/chair of the department with all your papers and information about the situation. If that doesn't help go higher. Email the president if you have to. <strong>You are probably paying big bucks for your education and as long as you are doing the work, which it sounds like you are, then they need to do their part to help you succeed. </strong>Good luck!
Posted by jmconley08[/QUOTE]

<div>Talk to the professor first. The chair will roll his/her eyes if they hear you haven't done that yet. You probably can't even file a formal appeal until you demonstrate that you've tried to address concerns within the course (TAs, prof) itself.</div><div>
</div><div>And there's nothing more endearing than entitled students who want to be treated like high schoolers. Just getting the work done does not (or should not) mean anything at the college level. Quality has to matter at some point.</div>

meganpow87

Short and Sweet: Meet with the Dept Chair and take ALL your EVIDENCE. Give him/her a chance to help you. If that's not done quickly, file a grievance at your university. Grievances get professors attentions really fast. I hope this help and good luck with everything.

IE: the 62% is totally unacceptable.

hearthemelody

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:e4ba5631-890e-4b78-a564-8b368684ab02">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]Go straight to the head/chair of the department with all your papers and information about the situation. If that doesn't help go higher. Email the president if you have to. You are probably paying big bucks for your education and as long as you are doing the work, which it sounds like you are, then they need to do their part to help you succeed. Good luck!
Posted by jmconley08[/QUOTE]

Do NOT do this. There is a specific order to file a grievance with any university, and you will only make it more difficult if you do not follow it.

I would go to the department, ask how to file a grievance or complaint, and follow that procedure. It may even be on the website of the school administration.

Often issues are redirected to mediation if a different solution can not be found. Trust me, you are not the first to go through this, probably even with this professor.

Just like etiquette, find out the rules, and then follow them. And no panics allowed!
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Mmoray

I haven't read any of the other replies, but here is my suggestion right off. Does your university have a Writing Center? Look into it on your college's website. It'll be staffed by either peer tutors (undergraduates) or graduate students (like you TA) if there happens to be one. 

Even though it won't be feedback direct from the prof/TA, they help with this kind of stuff all the time, so it definitely wouldn't hurt! I should know. I work at my university's writing center.   

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-school-trouble-i-honestly-feel-like-crying-my-eyes-out-and-i-dont-know-what-to-do?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:fd0104b4-c3be-4870-b25e-9f7cda5e478dPost:7e0dcb3a-6a1d-4090-9692-6f2176971e6f">Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR School trouble... I honestly feel like crying my eyes out and I don't know what to do! : I fully understand that TAs are not tutors, and that's why I asked her if she's willing to look through it (even the prof said that they will). She said she will help me as long as everything is 3 weeks before, and now she just flat out won't do anything to help anymore... she's even ignoring my emails about specific questions (<strong>such as how to input data into the program she wants us to use,</strong> etc).
Posted by andra loves andre[/QUOTE]

But why don't you already know that?   I mean, if there is a specific program you need to use, I feel like it should have been taught somewhere along the way. 

LeiselEB

I think Joy is giving some REALLY good advice.

I agree that you need to go to office hours and ask specific questions, rather than say "what grade would this get now?" It does sound to me like you want your TA to help you write this paper, but in my experience TA's are there to tell you what their expectations are and to grade - not necessarily to tell you exactly what they would do to make a paper better. Go to office hours with specific questions and if they go unanswered, say "I am really stressing about this paper because I am not sure what is expected of me, and I feel that my efforts have been going unnoticed." If that doesn't get a response, talk to your professor.

I think at this point you have no reason to go to a department head. If the TA isn't more helpful, go to the professor. If he can't help, I'd suggest talking to an academic advisor or another TA (even for a different course) - they might know the best route to take because it's not likely that you can just walk in to a department head's office and expect them to fix this problem.

I totally sympathize with you - I study history so researching and writing is my life Good luck!