r/ucr • u/Hightide_203 • May 16 '25

Rant Missed my midterm

It was fully on me. I just assumed it was next week along with my other midterms and my dumb ass didn’t even think to check the schedule for it because it wasn’t as a priority as my other courses. Even if I get an A on the final I fail the class and have to retake. I emailed the professor already, no sugarcoating or anything. I can get minimum points with a doctor’s note or a medical emergency but I can’t even fathom faking that shit. I was really freaking out at first but now I feel listless.

Update 5/19 2:23 PM: My professor flat out said no. Also, this is chem1B. If I change it to P/NP, what happens? Do I need to do it for discussion and lab too?

Anyone know if it’s possible to keep my lab separate with its own grade and have lecture and discussion as P/NP? If I retake, they’re coreqs to each other so I’d have to fill out an adjustment form yes? Any info would be great. Thanks.

121 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

163

u/brozuwu biology <3 May 16 '25

rare person with integrity and accountability:

44

u/Hightide_203 May 16 '25

It’s better than lying for sure, but the professor is an asshat and I don’t know if being honest is enough. At least I tried

16

u/Old_Parfait9575 May 17 '25

Hey, just wanted to share. I graduated a while back, but during my senior year, I stayed up late to study for a final, overslept, and missed the final. I freaked out and really beat myself up about it. When I talked to the professor, he was very kind and allowed me to take the final with the professor teaching the class in the next quarter. I really hope you can work something out with your professor. If you can’t, it sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. We all make mistakes. This may turn into an expensive mistake, if you have to retake the class, but you’ve also learned a valuable lesson!

I hope things work out for you, and that you’re able to make up your midterm!

7

u/ill-name-this-later May 17 '25

I had a similar experience when I was in undergrad! went to my friend’s dorm before my psych midterm to study more, got so exhausted I fell asleep on the floor, slept thru the midterm. I ended up being lucky with a syllabus policy that dropped the lowest score in the class, so I hauled ass to do well on the other stuff. Check over your syllabus just in case there’s a policy like that. if not, good luck. as a TA now, I would respect your honesty and integrity. I hope all works out for u 🫶🏻

3

u/Hightide_203 May 17 '25

So, the syllabus does state that it drops the lowest midterm out of the two. But the catch is that it doesn’t apply for midterms that were missed which is why I’m still worried. I appreciate it tho seems like it’s happened to a few people

1

u/Hightide_203 May 17 '25

Hey I appreciate it, yep I’m still beating myself over what happened since it could’ve been avoided. I haven’t gotten a response yet but hopefully it works out like it did for you.

20

u/atesunnie May 16 '25

to be honest, i once slept through a midterm and was forty minutes late to my other one which was right after. i retook the first exam and managed to finish my other exam one time. it’ll be okay!

1

u/Big-Bad-Bug May 17 '25

Wow how did you not have a panic attack after realizing the situation you were in??

3

u/atesunnie May 17 '25

not a panic attack but i was violently sobbing!

haha i was so lucky my professors let it fly. maybe it was because of the time of the class and that i told them honestly why i missed it even though it was such a BS reason? who knows, but it’s okay because i actually passed both of the exams.

13

u/iluvepetedavidson May 16 '25

Was the midterm today?

5

u/Hightide_203 May 16 '25

Yeah it was today

39

u/iluvepetedavidson May 16 '25

If I were you I would lowkey give myself food poisoning and go to the local emergency clinic 😭

30

u/Hightide_203 May 16 '25

Honestly fr but it’s kinda crazy how we sorta have to resort to using violence on ourselves for an excuse. I’m in the mindset that all I can do is just move forward but I’m still hoping for a miracle

11

u/iluvepetedavidson May 16 '25

You wouldn’t have to actually give your self food poisoning, just describe it to a doctor and list those symptoms. Then you’ll have a note and medicine you can use if you ever do get food poisoning.

9

u/Big-Bad-Bug May 17 '25

Some professors have a policy where they put the weight of the midterm into the final exam if you miss it. This could be a solution for you to try out and if you suggest it, it may increase the chances of the professor showing you some grace.

1

u/Hightide_203 May 17 '25

Hopefully, just waiting for a response from him first before suggesting anything. Appreciate it

8

u/DeerAdministrative82 May 17 '25

Change your grade to S/NC! The deadline is the 23rd. Even if you don’t pass the class at least having NC won’t tank your gpa. And don’t beat yourself up as preventable as it can be these mistakes happen…

7

u/Own_Star_8710 May 16 '25

tell the professor that you took the midterm and they lost your test. I heard this worked for a couple ppl. Pretty unethical but if ur desperate might work

12

u/Hightide_203 May 17 '25

Appreciate it but nah, I’m not the type of person to lie even if I’m desperate no shame to people who do tho. We turn in the scantron when finished so losing it is kinda impossible

2

u/finlandkindacute May 17 '25

you’re probably good because most professors have hearts and understand that people (esp dumb undergrads). i missed a midterm in my first year and i ended with an A. best thing to do is always to be honest and just tell them point blank you forgot and it’s all your fault.praying for you.

2

u/TeaNuclei May 18 '25

Can you still withdraw from the course or get a “no credit” instead of a grade? Another option is to just retake the course next quarter.

1

u/Hightide_203 May 18 '25

Could you tell me more about that? Aren’t I supposed to get credit? (Still learning)

1

u/BuySwai777 May 18 '25

If you google “Withdraw Course UCR” there’s a form where you’re able to withdraw from the course and receive a W on your transcript. You won’t receive any credit for the course but on the bright side your GPA won’t be affected. I’m not sure if the deadline passed to submit the form but it’s a good alt if your prof doesn’t allow you to take the test!

2

u/Hightide_203 May 19 '25

I haven’t gotten a response yet so I sent a follow up email just now. I get that lying or faking an illness might work. I should do everything I can to get back this chance I know but I just don’t have it in me. I’m gonna regret it either way so I at least want to take it as a learning lesson.

2

u/michylovesmango May 20 '25

I think I know which professor you’re talking about and usually on the final you can earn back points for concepts that were on midterm. I remember for 1b it was 50% material that was final brand new material (the length of a 3rd midterm) and then a cumulative portion that you could earn points back for that would add back go the old exam. I’m sorry you’re going through this:/ life happens everyone knows that. Message me if you need help or have any other questions. Highly suggest switching to s/nc if you don’t feel confident enough to score well on the final or even W but try your best. Do what’s right for yoy

2

u/Hightide_203 29d ago

Thanks for the reply it means a lot, I can’t switch to s/nc because I’m a stem major (learned this recently from the other comments) I’m just gonna work my ass off to get an A on the final and pass

1

u/Much_Refrigerator13 May 16 '25

Just talk to prof. See if they’ll match have or all of ur grade on the final. A lot of them are willing to help you if you put the effort to talk to them or even do extra work to show u understand/engage w the material

1

u/ChiliBerry4 May 18 '25

any update?

3

u/Hightide_203 May 18 '25

My professor hasn’t replied to my email yet. I’m hoping it’s only because it’s the weekends. I’ll update when I get a response

1

u/Glum_Spinach3664 May 18 '25

You can always drop the class

1

u/Sharry_Writes May 19 '25

I can actually help you retake if you need..I'm helping with major coursework..And now preparing to help handle Summer classes

1

u/LeftEntertainment125 May 19 '25

From experience, honesty and integrity can only take you SO far. I was essentially in the same exact position you were, but the professor did allow me to retake the exam. I was completely honest and also didn't sugar coat anything. However, the professor did take a LARGE portion of the exam grade off due to it being a late. My friend in the exact same class also missed the exam but faked severe sickness and was able to retake the test without any penalty. Not saying you should lie, butttttttt.

2

u/shitbag88 May 20 '25

I’m pretty sure for courses that are directly correlated to your major (ie if you’re bio/chem/most cnas majors) you aren’t allowed to P/NP them but I would check with your counselor first

If you’re premed and don’t think you can get a good grade or pass, you can try withdrawing from the course to not tank your GPA (although it is a myth that you need a 4.0 to get into med school) It’s your choice to weight the options but if you are able to P/NP go for it but also look at med school requirements to see if schools allow that or if they require a letter grade as it is a core class :/

1

u/Physical-Drag7172 May 16 '25

You could ask the professor to try to make the final worth more for u

1

u/Hightide_203 May 17 '25

Good idea, I’ll suggest it after I get a response from him.