Gaming a Professor

[Blue]

hey ya'll. heres the background: im a senior at TCU and should be graduating this may. i am taking statistics for the 3rd time and once again am getting owned (i dropped it once and failed it the other time). im an advertising/public relations major and statistics is the math class that is required for my major to graduate. my question is, how can i game the prof into passing me? i dont need a good grade, i just need a D in the class. obviously im not talking about gaming the prof in a romantic/pick up way, more of in a business way. hit me with all your thoughts, guys. im pretty desperate to try anything at this point.

[phoenix_rising]

Wow, how about studying like a mad man. Your at TCU, find a tutor. Unfortnatly, most professors are desensitized to begging, just find ways to demonstrate that you are trying your best. If you can convey that, most teachers in general will give you the grade. However I still reccommend finding a tutor, just incase you have to pass on your on merit.

-phoenix

P.S.- If you really need help in this subject, my personal trainer just graduated from TCU, and probably knows who could provide assistance in this matter.

[JohnnyBravo]

I agree with phoenix rising. Begging and/or gaming probably won't work. They've seen it all. Show up to class, pay attention, take notes, read and reread the book, and study your ass off! Ask the teacher questions during class if you don't understand something or visit them during office hours. Don't be shy. Ask your professor if he/she knows a good tutor. Does TCU have a place where you can go get academic help? Have you tried looking on the internet (using google) and then compare that to what it says in your book? I know there are various sites where students can get help. You just have to look for them.

Not just .edu domains in google.

All of the above is what I would do. Gaming the instructor for a good grade would not even enter into my mind because I know it probably wouldn't work. The best way to game the prof is to show him/her that you're busting your ass trying to do well in the class. If do you all the above, it will show that.

Just my .02,
JB

[Scoundrel]

I know someone that makes her living writting papers for college students. If you really need the help, I'll tell you how to get in touch with her. Or, I'm spending most of my day about 2 blocks from TCU. Until about 4. Semd me a PM and I'll tell you where.

[Blue]

are ya'll really trying to tell me that you dont sweet talk someone into getting something that you want? i cant lie, its kind of disappointing. with the 900+ PUAs on this forum i think i would have gotten some better responses than telling me to study.

[Mojo]

Coincidently I was able to convince my Professor to up my Statistics final grade up a full letter grade.

Originally I had received a C+, a terrifying thought to a one who got only A’s and B’s. I found on my final exam (which counted for a good chunk of the grade) a mistake. I don’t recall what it was, however I made good enough argument to the professor that I should not of gotten that particular one wrong. It was enough to edge my entire grade up to a B. Whew!

I never considered myself supra smart, at least not compared to some of the geniuses that went to Baylor with me. Though I was able to earn a higher GPA than some who were at Baylor on an academic scholarship using a few simple tricks:

1) Research the professor. I surveyed, as many students as I could on which was the best professor for a class. Not easiest, rather the most interesting. A professor that is able to make the material come alive makes the class fun and, for me, easier to get a higher grade.
2) Form study groups with the most intelligent. After the first week or two of class, I get a real good feeling for who were the more erudite. I made friends with them and set up study groups. Also useful to copy notes just to make sure you didn’t miss anything or if you were sick.
3) Take good notes
4) Attended all classes.
5) Studied every possible minute. Had my time spaced out in 15 minute increments. Time management is key.
6) Learn the rules of their game then play - i.e. learn what the professor is grading and looking for. For example, I submitted a brilliant paper on some topic for a course. I think I had received a C+. I learned quickly that he was looking for quantity, not quality. The second paper I submitted a bunch of fluff fluff that took up twice as many pages. Got an A.

Too late for these suggestions? Ok, here is what a fellow student did when he was not doing well in some course. However, I do advocate doing this or even know if it would apply.

The professor he had was hot yet married. Near the end of the semester he had to visit her about his lackluster performance in the class. There he was, in her office, sincerely stating he was distracted in her class. When asked what was distracting him, he said she was. At that point they kissed. Must have been a bad marriage and she needed some excitement… Anyway, he left. And got an A.

So, would that be an option

If not, then here is one more experience I had…

During high school, I had a math teacher. During my senior year, she had asked me whether I needed to pass her class. I said yes, as I was planning to go to college. She passed me with a D (Looking back, I think she knew she was not the best math teacher and didn’t want to cheat me due to her tarnished teaching). Maybe if you explain to the professor it is your last year, and this is the 3rd time your taking that course, you want to do anything you can to pass this course. Any extra credit? Any advice he can give you? Whatever, as long as he understands your dilemma. Professors are human and can decide to pass you or not.

Hope this helps,

Mojo

P.S. Don't forget to study!!!

[Sage]

boooooo! I hate both TCU and Baylor with a passion. I piss on you both.

That said, you should get a tutor. Surely TCU has a free on-campus tutoring center, as well as TA hours for that specific class?

[Twitchy]

College was a while back for me but I remember I had a class in Automata Theory that I wasn't doing so well in (WTF is that by the way? I still don't know...)

Anyway, I was at risk of not passing and losing my scholarship so I just went to the professor and laid it out there.

I told him I was struggling, needed to pass and asked what I could do to pass. I also asked if there was anything I could do for extra credit.

He suggested I come to his office during office hours for help so I did on a regular basis. I would only stay for 10 minutes while he helped me through one or two examples each time but it gave me face time. While there, I was friendly asked about his family, his latest project, etc. Fluff talk.

Knowing my dilema and now having a bond with me because I saw him on a regular basis, he passed me even when he shouldn't have.