First significant goof

[cjsmith]

5:10: Insomnia; try to doze on couch as long as possible
8:30: Arrive at physics class on time
8:35: Remember that goggles are required by the second meeting of chem lab and mine are at home, probably in the room where Rob is still asleep
9:20: Rush across campus to bookstore to buy goggles
9:35: Remember that chem LECTURE is at 9:30
9:36: Scamper as fast as possible across campus (which isn't very, on these feet) to chem lecture (exact farthest building, best I can tell)
9:42: Get there too late to take the quiz but in time to turn in homework
10:20: Cross campus again; get goggles
11:30: Arrive at chem lab on time with goggles
11:35: Notice that six people in class don't have goggles and the rule is not enforced

Sigh. I was ready for that quiz and wish I'd taken it. I admit forgetting my schedule is my own damn fault, but I'm frustrated that my mistake makes a difference and other people's not giving a shit doesn't make a difference.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Aw, what a frustrating experience. *hugs* It should get better. You're adjusting to a new routine which hasn't become that yet - routine.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

And every twelve weeks I'll get a new routine. I just hope I can find the right balance between not giving a shit and not panicking so badly I screw myself.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

After a quarter or two, you hopefully you'll develop the meta-routine of being a student: when you know your schedule changes every quarter. And hopefully the right balance you seek will come with getting used to that. Or I could be talking out of my ass. ;-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Could be. So far I've learned that it's perfectly fine to break the rules -- every rule about having something with you, being prepared for something, having something printed out, or having a form completed, seems to be just for the chumps. If I'd realized that this morning, I would not have panicked, and as a result I would have remembered when lecture was.

However, being on time is taken seriously, at least by my chem teacher. Gotta give her points for that. I like it when people say what they mean and mean what they say.

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

You'll get used to the new schedule and get into the swing of things soon enough. By next week, they should be more strict about the goggles and such.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'd better get used to it quickly, because I've used up my one allowable mistake. A grade of A- does not help me much; a B+ means I better brush off my resume.

[rfrench.livejournal.com]

What do they do with missed quizzes? Do they drop the lowest N?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Looking it up, I see that this class doesn't drop any quizzes. I get a zero for this one. (They drop the two lowest homeworks out of thirty or so, and they drop the lowest exam out of three. Naturally I'd have to miss the one thing where there's no wiggle room.)

If I don't make any more goofs, and if I get 96% or better on every exam and assignment, I can still make an A.

I hate being behind after two days of class. Particularly because I was trying to do the right thing. Grump.

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

I agree, that would be very frustrating. I've always thought that you either have a rule or you don't. Having a rule but making allowances for people that ignore it is an awfully slippery slope. :(

And, of course, extremely annoying to the people that do pay attention to it!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely. Having a rule but making allowances systematically penalizes the people who are doing their best. Polite people, organized people, law-abiding people... in various situations they're all taken advantage of by processes like that. Because I do my best to be a decent human being, and by my lights that means being polite and organized and keeping my word and all, I've always hated that kind of situation.

You Deserve a Medal!

[colonelfairfax.livejournal.com]

I know they don't give medals to folks who do the right thing (at least, not very often, and certainly not as often as they should), you get my medal for honest, hard-working, diligent student, and making your great contribution to the betterment of yourself and humanity! :)

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe it all works out in the end. Being a decent human being wins you all sorts of extra friend points with me. :)

[stormecho.livejournal.com]

I totally hate playing by the rules when so many others do not have to.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. Exactly.