How to Get a Professor to Change Your Grade Posted: 24 Sep 2017 05:00 PM PDT It's frustrating to work hard on an assignment and not earn the grade you feel you deserve. Before approaching a professor about changing your grade, you need to carefully review the course syllabus, assignment instructions, and your professor's comments. If you still feel you deserve a different grade, make an appointment to speak with your professor and be prepared to present evidence supporting your desire for a grade change. EditTalking to Your Professor about Your Grade - If applicable, check the accuracy of the professor's grading. Education is often an imperfect art; professors sometimes make mistakes in grading. Sometimes the wrong answer key was used, or the professor misunderstood your thesis, the teacher was up at 4 a.m. grading papers, or any number of errors. Justifying a higher grade needs data, and that often means proving the professor was in error.
- Check your answers with peers or the like, on the Internet, or with other sources.
- If comments on a written piece do not make sense, there is the possibility of the professor mis-reading something.(Although it is possible your writing is problematic, not an error on the part of the professor.
- If you do not understand the corrections or mistakes, it is often worth contacting the professor in order to go over the work. Depending on the school, class, or teacher you may not be able to get the grade changed. However going to the professor with a good attitude will often make a professor more likely to work with you in improving your grade.
- Set up an appointment to speak with your professor. In many countries there are laws that forbid professors from discussing grades via email. Instead of attempting to have a conversation about your grade over email, set up an appointment to talk to your professor face-to-face.[1]
- Try talking to your professor after class. You can say, "Dr. Johnson, I am concerned about the grade I earned on the exam. Can we set up a time to meet?"
- Even if e-mail is an option, face to face meetings are generally best in discussing this sort of issue.
- Be ready to submit a written rebuttal. If you decide to proceed with challenging your grade, most professors will make you submit your objections in writing. You will need to outline why your assignment deserves a higher grade, and how the evidence you submitted in the assignment fulfilled the professor's guidelines. It is also helpful to incorporate the professor's comments on your assignment into the written rebuttal.[2]
- Be respectful and professional at all times. You should always act with courtesy toward your professors, even if you disagree with them. Being aggressive or confrontational is not acceptable, and can land you in a heap of trouble. Always speak to your professor with respect, act like a professional and never ever threaten a professor.[3]
- Ask the professor to clarify comments. In many cases, you can clear up a misunderstanding over your grade by asking the professor to explain their comments in more detail. This gives the professor a chance to talk at length about their comments, and will help you understand why you earned the grade.[4]
- Try saying, "Dr. Smith, I'm confused by what you meant in your comment about my lack of organization. Can you explain this to me?"
- Emphasize your desire to improve. It's important that your professor understands you want to improve your performance in the course. During your meeting ask the professor to give you suggestions on how to improve on future assignments. Try saying, "I'm really committed to improving my grade in this course. How can I do better on the next assignment?"[5]
- You can say, "Dr. Anderson, I am dedicated to improving my grade in this course. What are some specific actions I can take to improve my grade?"
EditSuggesting Possible Solutions - Ask for extra credit. Sometimes you can raise your grade in a class by doing extra credit. You can try asking your professor for an additional paper or assignment to earn extra points. Keep in mind that many professors, however, do not offer extra credit.[6]
- Consider asking, "Dr. Toothman, do you offer extra credit? Perhaps I could write another paper to earn some extra points."
- Inquire about re-doing the assignment. This can be a feasible solution if your professor is open to the idea. Ask the professor if you can take a second shot at the assignment. For example, you can ask to write a new paper on the same or a similar topic.
- Reconsider taking it to a higher level. You should think carefully before appealing your grade at a higher level. Unless the professor made a clear mistake, those above them will support the original grade. If you truly believe you can make a strong case for a grade change, make sure you follow the appropriate chain of command. Ask your university's office of student affairs about the proper procedure.[7]
- Let it go. Unless the professor made an obvious mistake while calculating your grade, it is in your best interest to let it go. Pursuing an unwarranted grade change will not put you in a favorable light with the professor. More importantly, the effort you spend pursuing a grade change can be better spent on studying.
EditMaking Sense of the Grade You Earned - Understand the grading process. Unless the professor made a glaring error while grading your assignment or determining your course grade, they are unlikely to change your grade. It is also important to remember that grades are earned, not given. You do not earn a grade based on how hard you work, but rather how well you have mastered the material.[8]
- Decide if it's worth your time and energy. In most cases, it is not worth your time or energy to attempt to get a professor to change your grade. The process will suck up valuable time, which can be better spent on future assignments and your other coursework. Before approaching your professor, think about whether it is worth the hassle.
- Review the course syllabus. It's important that you go over the course syllabus in detail before approaching your professor about the grade you earned. Carefully read every word of the syllabus, paying specific attention to the sections on assignments and how your grade is calculated.[9]
- For example, if you turned in the assignment late, you should consult the syllabus about the professor's late assignment policy. This might explain why you earned a particular grade.
- This will also indicate to your professor that you read instructions and are thorough. You don't look great when the answer to your question is in bold in the syllabus!
- Make sure you followed the assignment instructions. Before you approach a professor about changing your grade, you need to make sure you followed instructions for the assignment in question. Look over the assignment instructions and carefully consider each part of them. Not following instructions is often the reason you did not earn the grade you expected.[10]
- For example, if the assignment instructions say to turn in a 5-page paper and you only turned in 2 pages, it might explain your grade.
- Carefully read the professor's comments. Before you freak out over a grade, you should carefully read all of the comments that the professor included on the assignment. In most cases, these comments will tell you why you earned a particular grade.[11]
- If you have trouble reading or understanding your professor's comments, try asking them to clarify.
EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
How to Make Vegan Tacos Posted: 24 Sep 2017 09:00 AM PDT Tacos are a popular Mexican treat and most are served with vegetables and meats such as ground beef or chicken. If you're vegan, you can enjoy tacos, too, by making them vegan using plenty of fresh vegetables. There are a variety of way to make vegan tacos, and any of the recipes provided below can be switched up to suit your desired ingredients. EditIngredients EditBlack Bean Vegan Tacos [1] - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¾ - 1½ teaspoon salt
- 2½ cups canned black beans, with the liquid
- 2 limes
- 3-4 teaspoons smoky hot sauce
- 2-3 ripe avocados
- Chipotle or tomatillo salsa
- 10-12 mini corn tortillas
- Shaved onion and/or chopped cilantro (optional)
EditTofu Vegan Tacos [2] - 12 ounces firm tofu, drained and cut into 8 slices
- 4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
- 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 bunch scallions, sliced
- 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 limes, one zested and juiced, one cut into wedges
- ¼ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 8 corn tortillas
- ¼ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella or pepper jack cheese
- ¼ cup jarred salsa verde
EditGrilled Vegetable Vegan Tacos [3] - 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1 small summer squash, diced
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 ear sweet corn, removed from cob
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 medium red pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ripe avocado
- ⅓ cup full fat, plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup minced cilantro + extra for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 6-8 corn tortillas
EditBuffalo Vegan Tacos [4] - ½ cup brown rice flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk, divided
- 1½ teaspoons onion powder, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
- ½ cup vegan mild buffalo sauce
- ½ ripe avocado
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- ½ lime, juiced
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced (about 1 clove)
- 6-8 corn tortillas
- Taco toppings (red cabbage, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, jalapeno slices, etc.)
EditLentil Vegan Tacos [5] - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup red onion finely diced + additional ⅛ cup
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
- ¾ cup dried brown lentils
- 2 cups mushroom or vegetable broth
- ⅓ cup bulgur wheat
- ⅔ cup water
- 2 medium avocados, halved and pitted
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 10 taco shells
EditBlack Bean Vegan Tacos - Drizzle the oil over a medium-sized skillet on medium heat.
- Add the onion and only a pinch of salt. Stir for about 10-15 minutes. The onions should be brown and soft.
- Add in the garlic and mix again for about a minute.
- Stir in the cumin, cocoa powder, and the rest of the salt. Mix for about thirty seconds with a wooden spoon.
- Add the hot sauce, juice of one lime, and beans. Mix again and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Simmer the mixture for about 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Add additional salt or hot sauce if desired. The mixture will begin to thicken but there will be some liquid left. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to a broil.
- Place the tortillas on a large baking sheet and spoon the bean mixture onto each one.
- Toast the tacos in the oven for about 2-3 minutes. Lift the tacos every few seconds to avoid them from burning or crisping.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the tacos to cool off for about 10 minutes.
- Serve. Garnish the tacos with shaved onions, chopped cilantro, salsa, or chipotle. Enjoy!
EditTofu Vegan Tacos - Remove any excess water from the tofu. Place the tofu slices on a stack of paper towels. Stack with more paper towels and place a heavy skillet on top of it. Allow all the tofu water to come out; it'll take about 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the cilantro, radishes, coleslaw, a tablespoon of oil, lime zest, and half of the lime juice. Toss well until fully combined together.
- In a small bowl, beat the yogurt and the rest of the lime juice together. Season with a desired amount of salt and pepper.
- Brush the rest of the olive oil over the tofu strips and sprinkle over the taco seasoning.
- Cook the tofu strip on an iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for about 7 minutes, flipping after 2 minutes, to allow the tofu to crisp slightly.
- Remove the tofu from the heat and slice it into strips.
- Toast the tortillas on the stovetop and heat until warm.
- Serve. Stuff the tacos with the tofu, coleslaw mixture, and cheese. Drizzle over the yogurt mixture and salsa. Enjoy!
EditGrilled Vegetable Vegan Tacos - Preheat oven to 400˚ Fahrenheit or 204˚ Celsius.
- Toss all the vegetables, except the avocado, with the oil, garlic, cumin, and salt.
- Roast the vegetables in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. The vegetables should be brown.
- Beat the yogurt, avocado, lime juice, and cilantro together in a separate bowl. Blend well until well-combined and the mixture is creamy.
- Toast the tortillas on the stovetop and heat until warm.
- Serve. Stuff the tacos with the roasted vegetables and avocado cream sauce. Enjoy!
EditBuffalo Vegan Tacos - Preheat oven to 425˚ Fahrenheit or 218˚ Celsius.
- Grease a baking tray with non-stick greasing spray.
- Whisk the dry ingredients and milk. In a large bowl, combine the flour, ½ cup milk, 1 teaspoon onion powder, garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Remove the leaves and stems off the cauliflower. Break into pieces.
- Add the cauliflower into the flour mixture and toss well.
- Place the coated cauliflower on the baking tray and spread around.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until slightly roasted and remove from heat.
- Pour the buffalo sauce all over the cauliflower. Toss well until fully coated.
- Bake the cauliflower for an additional 10 minutes.
- Make the sauce. Blend the avocado, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, ¼ cup milk, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a food processor. Blend until well-combined.
- Toast the tortillas on the stovetop and heat until warm.
- Serve. Stuff the tacos with the buffalo cauliflower and the rest of the taco toppings. Enjoy!
EditLentil Vegan Tacos - Drizzle the oil over a large skillet on medium-high heat.
- Add only a half cup of the red onion and saute for 5 minutes. Cook until the onions are soft.
- Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, taco seasoning, and dried lentils. Saute for an additional 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and allow the mixture to boil over the medium heat. Let it boil uncovered for about 10 minutes.
- Turn down the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Let the lentils simmer for about 5 minutes until tender.
- In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the bulgur.
- Turn down the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Allow it to simmer for about 12-15 minutes until it's tender.
- Pour the cooked bulgur into the lentils. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- In a separate bowl, make the avocado sauce. Mash the avocados with the rest of the red onion, cherry tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro leaves. Mash until fully combined.
- Serve. Stuff the tacos with the lentil mixture and top it off with avocado sauce. Enjoy!
- For a Mexican twist to these vegan tacos, garnish them with a dollop of guacamole.
- Instead of corn tortillas, you can use hard tacos for a crunchy taste.
- You can also heat up the tortillas in the microwave instead of on the stove for a faster option.
- Take caution not to over-cook the vegetables for too long or they will end up burning and blackening.
EditThings You'll Need - Mixing tool
- Stovetop or oven
- Iron skillet
- Baking tray
- Serving plate
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
How to Forget Hurtful Words Posted: 24 Sep 2017 01:00 AM PDT The childhood saying "sticks and stones might break my bones, but words will never hurt me" simply isn't true. Whether someone has called you an insulting name or put down your abilities, these comments can take a toll. Learn how to forget hurtful words by diminishing their power, boosting your self-esteem, and healing emotional wounds. EditDealing with the Hurtful Words - Don't take it personally. Their words are about them, not you. Sometimes, when others are hurting, they may lash out at you with hurtful words. Everyone does this from time to time. It is often done without thinking, and they may even regret the words later.[1]
- If someone says something hurtful to you, try to remember that they are probably hurting. Send compassion back to them rather than taking their comment personally.
- Validate the person who hurt you. If a person says something hurtful to you, respond gently in a way that validates the person, but not their unkind words. Whether or not the other person intended their words to be hurtful, this type of response is likely to catch them off guard, and they may be more likely to stop and think about how their words affect you.
- For example, you could say something like, "Wow, I'm really surprised to hear such a good person say something so unkind."
- Set a timer to stew. Rather than dwelling on the hurtful words others say to you, give yourself a deadline to stew them over. Feel the hurt for a designated amount of time. Then, choose to let them go.[2]
- For example, you might usually spend hours or even days mulling over these comments. Start setting a timer for about 10 minutes. Think about how the comment made you feel and acknowledge the pain. Once the timer sounds, put those feelings down and don't pick them back up again.
- Write the words down, then destroy the paper. If you're more of a hands-on person, you might take the power away from hurtful words by destroying them. Write the words down on a sheet of paper. Then, you might rip the paper to shreds, toss it into a fireplace, or scratch out the words with a pencil or pen.[3]
- Replace it with a positive comment. Offset the impact of negative words by replacing them with your own positive words. This works because you are basically cancelling out the negative comment in your mind by following it up with a more positive, uplifting comment.[4]
- For example, if someone said, "You're ugly," you might replace that comment by saying to yourself, "There is only one of me in the universe. I am special and unique."
EditRebuilding Self-Confidence - Use the words to become stronger. In what way does this situation test you? Evaluate the hurtful words and see if you can channel them into productive action. Question why the words hurt you and what you can do about it.[5]
- For instance, if someone said, "You're weak," and you believe that, you might feel upset or angry. However, if you take action, such as learning to defend yourself or strengthening your mental functioning, you can prevent those words from hurting you ever again.
- Use your experiences and perspective to help others. Unkind words usually come from a place of hurt or insecurity. Consider what the person who said the words might be going through, and think about whether there is anything you could do or say to help them. You can also boost your confidence by reaching out and offering support to others who have been hurt by cruel or thoughtless words.
- Make your own opinion your priority. Your confidence is always teetering on a ledge when you allow others to dictate how you feel about yourself. Stop placing so much weight on what others think about you. Instead, your own opinion should be the most important.[6]
- For example, if someone says, "You'll never amount to anything," but you don't actually believe that, remind yourself of what you think. You might say to yourself, "That's not true. I believe I am destined for greatness."
- Get things done to feel more confident. How you feel about yourself and your abilities is intimately linked to your self-confidence. You can boost your self-confidence by taking on more challenges. Think about a goal or task that you would like to accomplish. Then, break it down into little steps that you can complete one at a time.[7]
- For example, if you want to become financially independent, you might start by getting a job. Then, you might look for a place to live that fits your income level. Then, you might create a savings account or invest in stock that benefits your long-term financial status.
- The steady completion of each step helps you feel more confident and increases your belief that you are capable of taking on new challenges.
- Breathe deeply and repeat an empowering mantra. Deep breathing is a great way to promote relaxation. When coupled with a positive affirmation, this exercise can help you build confidence in yourself and your abilities.[8]
- For example, you might breathe in deeply through your nose and mentally say, "I breathe in self-confidence and faith." Hold the breath for a few seconds. Then, exhale while mentally reciting, "I breathe out negativity and doubt."
EditHealing from Hurtful Words - Practice self-love daily. When you are neglecting your emotional well-being, hurtful remarks are more likely to sting. Counteract any negative comments or behaviors from others by treating yourself with loving kindness. This can translate to many different things. Make a list of the positive activities you enjoy the most. Then, make a commitment to do a few of them daily.[9]
- For example, you might like to cook healthy meals for yourself, walk your dog near the lake, or meditate before bed.
- Learn from the experience. There is always something to be learned from a conflict or painful experience. Once you've had some time to move away from the initial hurt, take time to reflect on what happened. Some things to think about include:
- What might have been going on in the other person's life, or in your relationship with them, to trigger the unkind words?
- Was there any truth in the words that you might be able to benefit from, even if they were phrased harshly or in an unhelpful way?
- If someone speaks to you this way again, how can you deal with it better in the future?
- Surround yourself with positive people. Positive people bring positive vibes and negative people bring negative vibes. Make the choice to reduce the time you spend with negative or toxic people who criticize or devalue you. Choose to spend your time with supportive people who value what you bring to the table.[10]
- Do things you enjoy. A great way to heal from hurtful words is to engage in pleasurable activities. Pick up a hobby, join a new club or organization, or start back doing something you gave up a long time ago. Make more time in your daily and weekly schedule for things that make you smile.[11]
- This could be pursuing a passion for learning, teaching others a skill that you are really good at, or simply improving your own knowledge of an activity like sewing or gardening.
- Give back to others. Stimulate your own emotional healing by doing more good for others. Commit to having more positive interactions with the people in your life and in your community.
- Interact with your loved ones in a positive way by expressing your appreciation for them and letting them know the good that you see in them. For instance, you might say, "Matt, you are so helpful. I don't know what I would do without you."[12]
- You can also do this by engaging in random acts of kindness, like helping a neighbor with their yard work or buying lunch for the person behind you at the cafe. You might also radiate good vibes in your community by volunteering or donating to charity.
- Write in a journal to better understand how you feel. Writing down your thoughts can bring clarity to what's happening in your inner world. Plus, when you write out hurtful comments you stop them from weighing you down. Start a journaling habit in which you write for a few minutes each day.[13]
EditSources and Citations Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment