Hello everyone:

Do you ever feel like there is a very narrow line between your life working well and sheer disaster?

Sometimes I think some of my students experience that, as they sign up for a boatload of classes while working full time, caring for their family, and finding time for themselves and their spouse.

And the thing is, they keep plowing along, not doing their homework and thinking that, some how some way, the Homework Fairy is going to come along and hit them over the head with all of their assignments completed and garnering straight A grades.

Folks, just like business success is not going to drop out of nowhere, the Homework Fairy does not exist and she’s not coming to visit you at the eleventh hour. I promise.

It isn’t going to get better, if you just keep hoping that, somehow, everything will get done, that it will be completed. You are asking for a miracle.

So what do you do? I have some very bright students who realized that the first and second summer sessions overlap by two weeks and that they were going to have double homework during that period, along with full time jobs. How did they handle it? They worked ahead and finished their assignments two week early. This advice is probably too late for you, at this juncture.

(Please note that they also did these assignments very well. Some students turn things in early. They are turning “let’s throw some mud against the wall and hope some of it sticks” quality work. All that does is tick off the instructor. )

By the way, the bright students planned ahead for this extra-early turn in of work. Very cool. Those are the kind of students who receive offers of letter of recommendation from their professors. But I digress.

So, what should you do? If possible (and if you actually are going to do the work), ask your professor for an Incomplete. That will give you three extra weeks to complete the work BUT keep in mind that a much lower grade goes along with turning in the assignments so late. So far, the track record for my students who actually do the work after getting an Incomplete is one in thirteen years. Not very good statistics.

You might consider withdrawing from the class, if it isn’t too late. A “W” on your record is better than an “F” any day.

Finally, you could put your life on hold, take some vacation days, and just get it done. I know folks who have done that and they successfully finished the course. It’s your call, but please make a decision and stick with it.

Best,

Dr. Sheri