i missed an assignment in grad school

• Ways to prepare for grad school

What to Do if You Can’t Meet a Grad School Assignment Deadline

• October 13, 2022

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Getting through graduate school coursework while working full-time can be a tough road. The benefits are endless; however, it can seem overwhelming in the thick of things. There are only 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week. It can feel like there is never enough time to get everything done and is not for the faint of heart.

Many of the times grad students feel this kind of stress are during specific times of the school year, including, but not limited to, the beginning of the school year, at report card times, and at parent/teacher conference times. These time-intensive spots in the K-12 school year have the possibility of conflicting with impending coursework assignments or graduate program classes.

Grad students may feel pressured that there simply isn’t enough time in some weeks to do their best work and fulfill their work obligations equally. When family or personal issues are added to that mix, the result can be significant stress.

Steps to Take to Postpone an Assignment Deadline or Miss a Class

If you find yourself in one of those situations where you don’t think you can meet a graduate school deadline, communicate with the professor as soon as possible. Your graduate school professor will appreciate that you are being proactive in letting them know it will be difficult for you to do your best on an assignment and still be able to get it in on time. Ask for a deadline extension so that you can do your best work on it.

The same thing applies to the situation in which you may have to miss a class. Simply let the professor know that you will have a hard time getting to class due to whatever the circumstances are, and then ask how you can make this up. Professors may have an extra assignment or other way to make up that class. But you can’t expect to get a free pass. It can be tough to juggle required work evening commitments and your regular night of class. The bottom line is that effective communication early on is very helpful.

Use Your Best Judgement

Using good judgement is important in every aspect of your life, especially when having to juggle grad school, work, and family. When asking to miss a class, always offer to do something extra to make that up. When asking for an assignment postponement, be sure that the reason sounds worthwhile and not something the professor is going to think is questionable.

Always err on the side of caution when it comes to attendance or a homework deadline. Illness, a death in the family, schedule conflicts with work responsibilities are all items that are entirely valid reasons to ask for a postponement.

Things like having to attend a party, a birthday, getting your hair done, etc. may not be looked upon as favorably. One strategy worth considering is to take a personal day to complete an assignment if you are running into some difficulties. That may help to alleviate the stress.

Be Honest and Forthright

It is crucial to be very honest with your professor when requesting an extension for an assignment or exemption from a class. Do not beat around the bush or make excuses. Remember, your instructors have been doing this job for a while and have been in the same spot that you are now finding yourself in.

Just straightforwardly state the issue and ask for the extension or accommodation in person or through an assignment deadline extension email . Let them know why, how you will handle this, and what you will do in the future to prevent the same thing from happening. Taking ownership of the situation will put you in a much better light than making excuses.

Don’t Let it Become a Habit and Plan Proactively

Missing a class or having to postpone the deadline of an assignment is not the end of the world. Things do come up in life and it is better to be proactive about handling it. Do not make this a habit.

A professor will be most impressed when you have taken the steps to chart the semester ahead of time, comparing the class times and due dates with your work dates and personal life dates. Then, way ahead of time, you can talk to the professor about potentially rough times that may arise and give them a heads-up that you might have to ask for a deadline extension during a certain week. As long as you are proactive and organized, this will not reflect poorly on you.

Try to put things in perspective and not let these glitches in assignments or classes spoil the experience; concentrate on giving your best efforts to your coursework and making connections with peers while in class . They will also be struggling with the same things and being able to talk together about things that pop up can be helpful to all.

Looking for more ways to prep for graduate school or thinking of taking the plunge into a program? Check out our 200+ available masters, doctorates, endorsements, and certifications and educator’s blog to advance your career today!

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Avoid These Common Mistakes Students Make in Grad School

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Do you often find yourself saying "I hate grad school" or simply frustrated with the increased workload that comes with it? Given the competitive nature of graduate school admissions, grad students tend to be excellent students, but hours of study over complex subject matter and good grades don't guarantee success in graduate school. In order to fully value and understand the education, you're receiving you need to avoid these eight common pitfalls of graduate students that wind up making them hate the program.

Thinking Like an Undergraduate

Undergraduates take classes while graduate students immerse themselves in a discipline. Undergrads' work ends when class ends, they turn in papers and leave campus. A graduate students' work, on the other hand, is never completed. After class they do research, meet with faculty, in a lab, and interact with other students and faculty. Successful graduate students understand the difference between college and graduate school and treat their education like a job.

It would be easy to get bogged down in the ho-hum of yet another four years of "studying" if you forget this little detail: you are in graduate medical school because you love medicine and want to pursue a career in it. Treat graduate school, instead of another 1,000 hours of studying, as your first days of being in your chosen profession. Hopefully, that will bring the joy and passion back to your work and studies.

Focusing on Grades

Undergraduates worry about grades and as a result, often approach their professors to ask for a higher grade through either extra work or a redo on previous assignments. In grad school grades are not that important. Funding is usually linked with grades but poor grades are very uncommon. C's generally are uncommon. In graduate school, the emphasis is not on the grade but on the learning.

This frees up students to actually be able to delve into their chosen fields of medicine instead of focusing on instant recall of data or studying for tests. As a doctor, a graduate of medical school will need to have long-term retention of the information garnered during the program. By focusing on the application of information and repeatedly doing so, students in grad school truly learn their craft and instead of getting bogged down on whether or not they're passing, begin to enjoy the concept of working professionally.

Failing to Plan Ahead

Effective graduate students are detail oriented and juggle many tasks. They must prepare for multiple classes, write papers , take exams, conduct research and perhaps even teach classes. It's no surprise that good graduate students are good at identifying what needs to be done and prioritizing. However, the best graduate students keep an eye on the future. Focusing on the here and now is important but good students think ahead, beyond the semester and even year. Failing to plan ahead can make your graduate school experience much harder and worse yet could even adversely affect your career.

As a graduate student, you should begin thinking about comprehensive exams  well before it's time to study and tossing around dissertation ideas early in graduate school so you can seek feedback and develop your thesis well in advance. Considering career alternatives and determining what experiences you need to get the jobs you desire is imperative to your success as a doctor. For example, those who want jobs as professors will need to obtain research experience, learn how to write grants  and publish their research in the best journals that they can. Graduate students who think only about the present may miss out on the experiences that they need and may be ill-prepared for the future they envisioned. Don't wind up hating graduate school because you didn't prepare ahead of time.

Being Unaware of Department Politics

Undergraduate students are often shielded from academic politics and are unaware of the power dynamics within a department or university . Success in graduate school requires that students become aware of departmental politics, especially because professors and students alike oftentimes continue to work together professionally after graduation.

In every university department, there are some faculty members with more power than others. Power can take many forms: grant money, coveted classes, administrative positions and more. Moreover, interpersonal dynamics influence departmental decisions and student's lives. Faculty who dislike each other, for example, may refuse to sit on the same committee. Even worse, they may refuse to agree on suggestions for revising a students' dissertation. Successful graduate students are aware that part of their success relies on navigating nonacademic interpersonal issues.

Not Fostering Relationships With Faculty

Many graduate students mistakenly think that graduate school is only about classes, research, and academic experiences. Unfortunately, this is incorrect as it is also about relationships. The connections students make with faculty and other students form the base for a lifetime of professional relationships. Most students recognize the importance of professors in shaping their careers. Graduate students will look to professors for recommendation letters, advice and job leads throughout their careers. Every job that a graduate degree holder might seek requires several letters of recommendation and/or references.

In order to have a better graduate school experience and in turn a more rewarding professional career, it is imperative that graduate students seek the advice and camaraderie of their professors. After all, these same professors are soon to be their contemporaries in the field. 

Ignoring Peers

It's not just faculty who matter. Successful graduate students also foster relationships with other students. Students help each other by providing advice, tips and acting as a sounding board for one another's dissertation ideas. Graduate student friends, of course, are also sources of support and camaraderie. After graduation, student friends become sources of job leads and other valuable resources. The more time that passes after graduation the more valuable those friendships become. 

Not only that but making friends in school is one of the biggest benefits of joining a program. This is especially true of medical school where, at the very least, you all share one common interest: a love of medicine. It's easy to hate school when you have no friends to commiserate with over the trials and tribulations of becoming a doctor. Making friends will help ease the stress during your schooling and go on to be greatly beneficial when you start your residency program afterward.

Not Putting in Face Time

Completing class work and research is a big contributor to success in graduate school, but the intangible elements of your education also matter. Successful graduate students put in face time. They are around and visible in their department. The don't leave when classes and other obligations are over. They spend time in the department. They are seen.

This is imperative to garnering those all-important letters of recommendation as well as receiving notoriety by not only your professors but your peers. Oftentimes graduates who do not spend enough time making these appearances find themselves lacking in the feeling of accomplishments those who do spend enough time within the department do. This is because those students don't receive as much recognition for their work and dedication. If you're having a bad time at graduate school and don't feel that your professors are respecting your effort, perhaps making more face time with your peers will remedy this common problem.

Forgetting to Have Fun

Graduate school is a lengthy endeavor, filled with stress and countless hours spent studying, researching and cultivating professional skills. Although as a student you will have a great many responsibilities it is important to take the time to have fun. You don't want to graduate and later realized that you have missed out on some of the coolest opportunities to enjoy yourself. The most successful graduate students are healthy and well-rounded because they make time for and cultivate a life.

If you find yourself midway through graduate school and hating every minute of it, maybe the perfect solution is to step away from it all for an evening (or a weekend) and remind yourself of your youth and excitement by going out with your colleagues, exploring some of the school's organized activities or simply taking in the city where you're studying. A few hours or days away from work could be just the refresher you need to remind yourself why you chose the medical field in the first place. That way, you can get back to learning and enjoying your field of study. 

• What is Grad School Like?
• What Do Grad Schools Look for in Students?
• What to Expect During a Grad School Interview
• Should You Get a Recommendation for Grad School from Your Therapist?
• Is Grad School Harder Than College?
• What Is an Assistantship?
• How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School
• Sample Graduate School Recommendation by a Professor
• Choosing the Best Economics Graduate Program
• Thanking a Professor for Writing a Recommendation Letter
• Types of Financial Aid for Graduate Students
• How to Choose Between Grad Schools
• Time Management Tips for Graduate Students
• How to Email Professors at Prospective Grad Schools
• Taking Time Off Before Applying to Graduate School
• How Do You Deal with a Grad School Rejection?

MISSED exam/assignment & need makeup (PROF advice)

GUIDE to talking to your professor about missing an assignment or exam

As a former professor, with over a decade of experience, I am going to share with you exactly what I would have wanted to hear from my students when they missed an exam or assignment.

And it’s probably not what you would think either.

Then I will let you know how often I would let students makeup a missing assignment or exam so you get a better understanding of your chances.

Finally, I will give you an email template of what to say to your professor when you miss an assignment or exam to help get you a second chance to complete it.

What does it mean to makeup an exam or assignment?

If a student wants to makeup an exam or assignment, this means that the student missed the exam or failed to turn in the assignment. And the student received a zero because they were not present to complete it or failed to turn it in before the deadline.

The professor would give the student an opportunity to complete the exam or assignment and turn it in after the deadline. The grade would replace the missing grade you have because you couldn’t take the exam or didn’t complete the assignment.

It is important to understand the difference between a makeup exam and retaking an exam because these are treated differently by your professors. While some professors may allow a makeup exam, they might not allow students to retake exams.

What is an excuse to makeup an exam or assignment?

If a student wants to makeup an exam or assignment, they want another chance to take it and earn a grade for the assignment. There are some excuses for missing an exam or assignment but it will vary based on the institution and the professor. Some of the excuses to MAKEUP a missed exam or assignment include :

Documented medical issues

Hospitalization

Student related activity

Religious holy days

Funeral of immediate relative

Military duty

Disability accommodations

Internet connection or technical issue (if online)

While I listed some reasons why your professor may allow you to makeup an exam or assignment, I will now tell you some reasons why your professor might NOT allow you to complete a makeup exam or assignment. Keep in mind that your professor may still allow you to complete it late regardless of your excuse.

Some of those reasons may include :

Forgot about it

Studied for another class

Busy with work

Car trouble

Wasn’t prepared

From reviewing the excuses above, you can tell that some of them are more important than others. For example, if you have a valid and documented reason to miss an assignment, then your professor is more likely to allow a makeup opportunity compared to excuses about your unprepardness.

And if you contacted them BEFORE you missed the assignment, you may get to make it up compared to students who reach out to their professors days or even weeks after the missed assignment or exam.

But if you were just unprepared and didn’t take the class seriously, they probably won’t give you another chance to do the assignment late.

One question you should ask yourself is if you didn’t complete the assignment because you were unprepared or unorganized, you may not be entitled to makeup the assignment. But if something traumatic or unavoidable happened, you may get to make it up.

Can you makeup an exam or assignment in college?

College students may be able to makeup an exam or assignment if their professor allows students to have a second chance. It will depend on the student’s excuse and if they have documentation. It will also depend on the professor’s policy.

Some professors are much more lenient when it comes to makeup assignments, while others have strict policies and won’t budge.

Usually there isn’t a university wide policy regarding missed assignments so your professor has a lot of discretion . Professors usually have the ability to let students makeup assignments. While it is not a guarantee, it is something that happens in college.

You won’t know if you can makeup the assignment if you don’t ask. And there is no harm in asking.

As a former professor, I allowed my students an opportunity to makeup an exam or assignment about 10% of the time. This would depend on my particular late policy I had that semester and the student’s excuse.

One time, there was a natural disaster and students couldn’t get online because the internet was completely down. The students really needed to access their online textbook to study. So, those students who were effected by the natural disaster were given an opportunity to complete it late.

Should you ask your professor to makeup an exam or assignment?

If you have a valid excuse, and talk to your professor early, you should ask your professor if you can makeup an assignment to replace the zero you received.

However, I think that anyone who cares about their course grade should ask their professor for a makeup opportunity. Because this zero will effect your overall grade and you never know what your professor will say.

They might allow you to make it up and you wouldn’t know because you didn’t ask. So, regardless if you have a decent excuse, you should still ask because you might be surprised by their answer.

If they say no, oh well. Nothing is lost. But if they say yes, you have a lot to gain by the second chance you’ve been given.

How to talk to your professor about missing an exam or assignment?

Do it quickly.

Go in person.

Explain your circumstances.

Bring documentation.

You don’t want to wait and talk to your professor about making up an assignment weeks after it was due. After so much time has passed, your professor isn’t going to let you complete it late.

However, if you go soon after the assignment was due or the exam date passed, your professor is more likely to give you have a second chance.

I want to mention that you aren’t required to provide medical documentation to your professor , at least not directly. I wouldn’t want to share my personal medical information with my professor. Now, if it’s just a doctor’s note excusing you from the class, that’s one thing, but if it’s your hospital discharge papers, that’s too personal.

If you have this documentation, you might need to talk to someone in the accommodation’s office to see if you can get some reasonable accommodations for your medical issues.

Just let your professor know that you are working on this process to keep them in the loop. I guess this process could be different depending on what country you live in and if you are at a private or public university.

You may want to try and get an EXTENSION on your assignment r ather than missing it and making it up. So, if you see a deadline for an assignment, and you are worried you cannot complete it, you should talk to your professor about getting an extension first.

But if you already missed the exam or assignment, that won’t help you. I will tell you what I wish my students would have said to me when they missed an assignment.

BEFORE you ask for a second chance, please review your professor’s syllabus. Sometimes students would email me about a missed assignment, but I had to explain to them that they could still complete it late for a penalty. They would have known that if they read the syllabus before sending me an email.

I think it’s important to look at your syllabus first because you might be able to turn it in or complete it late RIGHT NOW. And if you take the time to email your professor, it will cause delay. You may miss a deadline for a second chance because you are waiting on an email from your professor.

So, it’s really important to understand what your professor’s policies are in regards to late assignments or missed exams.

What to tell your professor when you miss an assignment

If you miss an exam or assignment in college, you need to talk to your professor immediately. Explain why you missed it. If you have documentation, provide it.

And then tell them that you want the opportunity to complete it late.

You can let them know you would even be willing to complete it for a late penalty.

I need to tell you that you should be honest in your communication to your professor. I don’t want you to simply copy and paste my example, but edit it to fit your needs. I am just sharing with you an example of what I would have liked to hear from my former students.

You should tell your professor the TRUTH when you are asking to makeup something in their course .

Email template to professor for missed exam

Here is an example of what I would have loved to have heard from my students when they missed an assignment.

Dear Professor, I missed our last exam because I was attending my grandfather’s funeral. I have a link to his obituary at the bottom of this email for verification. I was spending time with my family and grieving the loss of my closest grandfather when I missed our latest exam. The funeral was in another state so I had travel arrangements too. I would have sent an email earlier but I was in a frenzy. I would love the opportunity to complete the exam. If I don’t get to complete this exam, I worry that the zero I received will really hurt my overall grade in this course and this does not reflect my knowledge of the subject. By completing the exam, I will be learning the material better by studying. And the exam grade will let me know if I am on track and I can see my progress in the course. While I am concerned about the zero I received, I am more concerned about missing the opportunity to monitor my progress in this course to understand if I am missing important concepts. When I study for the exam, I will learn more of the class material. This will help me in the future. I am willing to take the exam at the most convenient time for you and with a penalty, if necessary. I would also be willing to take a modified version of the exam, if necessary. Thank you.

Look, you are really trying to let them know that the missing assignment is only half of your concern but your biggest concern is how missing the exam hurts your progress in the course.

Think about it for a second. If you don’t study and prepare for the exam, that is valuable information your will never learn. And if you want to complete an assignment late, the feedback that you get from your professor is critical to your college education.

How can you tell how well you are doing in the class if you don’t get to complete the assignments? Your professor will be glad that you are worried about this more than a grade.

But remember, if you don’t really care either way, you shouldn’t pretend. Just tell them the truth. This is just what I would have wanted to hear.

Can you makeup a final exam in college?

Since college final exams are at the end of the semester, students won’t typically be allowed an opportunity to makeup a final exam.

When I was a professor, we had to enter grades within a day or two after the final exam. This means that there was not an opportunity to allow students a chance to makeup the exam. There wouldn’t be enough time for them to take it before the college wanted grades submitted to them.

So, while you can ask if you can makeup a final exam, just know that there may be little your professor can do if they already submitted grades. Plus, a lot of professors may not even be on campus after the final exam so they won’t have the ability to let you make it up anyway.

What to do if you miss an exam or assignment in college?

If you miss an exam or assignment in college, you need to talk to your professor immediately. I recommend going to your professor in person because it makes it more personable. Let them know your circumstances, and ask them if you can makeup the assignment.

You should be prepared for them to say no. If they say no, and you are not given a second chance, you should ask them how your overall grade will be effected.

Sometimes a zero for an assignment could cause you to fail the class or make a really bad grade. You might be better off withdrawing from the course, if necessary. And if you are failing because of this grade , you should talk to your professor about failing instead.

This is something that your professor can answer for you. I wouldn’t do anything until you talk to your professor.

You will need to get back on track in the course to make up for this zero if you have a chance to pass.

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Why it’s hard for students to “just turn in” missing assignments, and how to get them unstuck

Mar 29, 2023 | Blog

With the end of the semester on the horizon, many students may feel overwhelmed by low grades or feeling behind in some of their classes.

As a parent, it can be stressful to see that your student has overdue work, or get notifications from their teacher that they’re missing assignments. 

It’s even more frustrating when you’ve told them over and over again how important it is to “just turn it in”…but the work is still showing up as missing.

The reality is that no matter how simple it might seem to an outside observer, doing missing work is almost never as easy as “just getting it done.” If they haven’t done the work yet, there’s a good chance that something is getting in their way. 

If you can figure out what the problem is before jumping in to help them (or make them) do the work, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of success.

In our experience, there are usually 3 main reasons students resist submitting their missing work…even when it seems like “just turning it in” would be SO much easier!

Reason 1: They think it won’t make a difference

Once the due date for an assignment has passed, students often de-prioritize it and move on to focus on upcoming assignments instead. It’s tempting for students to justify this by thinking “there are lots of other assignments, missing one or two won’t matter.”

But what they often don’t realize is that because of the way most grading scales are weighted, even one or two zeros can have an enormous impact on their grade. Showing students the difference it makes to turn in just a few assignments can increase their motivation to get the work done. 

Here’s an example of the difference it can make to turn in just a few missing assignments before the end of the semester:

Overall grade with 3 missing assignments: 78.3%

Overall grade when assignments are turned in: 90.1%

It’s hard for students to calculate these averages in their head, so it can be really powerful for them to run the numbers and see firsthand exactly how much they have to gain from making up their missing assignments.

When we do calculations like this with our students, they are almost always surprised by how much this makeup work could improve their grades, and feel much more motivated to submit the assignments when they can see for themselves the difference it will make.

Reason 2: They think it’s too late

Another reason students often resist doing makeup work is that they think it’s too late to get credit for it. 

Even if they’ve done the math and know that submitting the work would make a difference in their grade, they still won’t want to turn it in if they think the teacher won’t accept it.

Especially for introverted or anxious students, it can be very intimidating to have conversations with their teachers. They might think they’ll get in trouble for asking to submit their work late, or worry that the teacher will say “no.”

The good news is that many teachers are flexible with their late work policies and allow students to turn in overdue assignments even when it is past the “official” deadline to submit them.

So if students can find the courage to ask for help, there is a good chance that their teachers will respond positively and allow them an opportunity to make up the work.

For students who are struggling to reach out to teachers, we often find it is helpful to roleplay these conversations in coaching sessions if they’re not sure what to say, or work with them to email their teachers if they’re not sure what to say.

Reason 3: They feel overwhelmed

Students who are behind on their work often have challenges keeping track of due dates, managing time, breaking down complex assignments, prioritizing work, staying focused, or following through with plans….which is why they fell behind in the first place. 

These challenges can become even more daunting when they are behind in their classes, and trying to complete makeup assignments on top of their normal workload.

This can feel so stressful that a lot of students avoid or put off doing makeup work even when they   know   how much it would improve their grade.

For these students to get their work submitted, it’s essential to help them find ways to…

• Break down the assignments so they have a realistic plan for getting the work done that they’re confident they can actually follow through with
• Lower the stress they feel while they are doing the work so they will be less tempted to avoid it
• Visualize the progress they are making so they can see that their efforts are making a difference

Providing support

When students have a lot of makeup work to complete, having some additional support to help them work through it can be invaluable. 

For some students, this may mean finding a tutor to help them with the content they didn’t understand when their teacher was first presenting the material. 

For other students, having a family member or friend nearby as a source of moral support to keep them company while they are working (and a motivating reward to look forward to as soon as the work is completed) can be enormously helpful.

Other students may benefit from working with an academic coach to help them get unstuck and started on their missing work. Sometimes, having someone else who is not a family member step in to help can reduce stress and conflict at home and make it easier for students to take the steps they need to get back on track in their classes. If you think this type of support would be helpful for your student, please feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to help! 

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• Strategies to Help Students Stay on Track When They Must Miss Class
• Support for Your Students

Due to illness or other circumstances in their lives, some students will need to miss classes on occasion. Proactively designing a plan for how you will approach missed classes will make it easier for both you and your students to address these challenges in the moment—particularly when your students may need to miss multiple classes. Below are some common areas of concern when students might miss class, along with some strategies to minimize disruption when students miss class. Communication around missing class Missed course materials and lectures Missed in-class discussions and problem-solving sessions Missed exams If you would like to discuss ways you might apply these strategies in your teaching, staff at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Innovation are available to meet with you.  Email CETLI  to set up a conversation.

Make clear your expectations around communication.

Students are enrolled in several different courses, which may all have different policies and procedures for missed classes. Consider how you will communicate course policies to students, and let students know how and when to contact you. Keeping open lines of communication will help you and your students know what is going on, even as circumstances are evolving. Make sure your students understand how to let you know they will be out for multiple classes so you can make alternative plans with them.

There are a few tools available to you which may make this process easier.

• Include information in your syllabus and/or within your Canvas site about how and when you want students to contact you about absences.
• Consider asking students to submit a  Course Action Notice (CAN) whenever they will miss class. Using this system can facilitate tracking student absences, keep them organized and creates a record that the advising office can access to help students as needed. Instructors can receive these notices by email or access them through the Course Action Notice link on Courses@Penn .
• You may prefer a standard email structure or template for communication around absences. If so, make it clear to students when they should plan to email you, what information the email should contain, and if you'd like them to use a specific subject line to help you stay organized.
• Students experiencing an extended absence are likely also experiencing a great deal of stress, perhaps on top of illness. Thus, reducing any barriers to communication may increase the likelihood that they do reach out.

Please note that health information is private: students are not required to submit documentation around their health regarding absences, though some may choose to disclose. Penn's  code of academic integrity  applies to reporting absences and requesting assistance.

Offer opportunities for students to catch up on missed course materials and lectures

Building a plan for helping students catch up on missed lectures and class content will keep students from falling behind and save you time. When planning, consider both how to share materials and what is most crucial for these students to learn. For example, will you record classes or expect students to share notes? Should students who miss class prioritize watching lecture videos, or assigned readings? Something else? Keep in mind that students who are sick may or may not be able to work while they are out, and, as such, may need time to catch up on past material once they return.

• Some rooms are set up for live lecture recording. To see if your classroom is recording enabled, check the  Central Pool Classroom Finder . Instructions for recording your classes via Zoom can be found at the  SAS Computing recording guide .
• Lecture videos from prior years may be a helpful alternative.
• If you are concerned that you don't want all students having access to the videos, you can share the videos only with students who miss class. This can be done through Canvas assignments that are assigned to only the absent students .
• Consider whether your own lecture notes might be useful. Your slides may be helpful too.
• Ask the class to generate lecture notes. These notes will serve as a record of class and can also be a helpful exercise for the students who are present in the classroom. Consider rotating the roles so that different students are in charge of notes each class or week. In a large class, it may be necessary to create different groups of students each constructing their own sets of notes.
• Building community in your class can help students reach out to their peers for notes and help with material. Instructor-created study groups give students contacts in the class and people to ask for notes.
• If it is important to you that students in your class work together and help each other when needed, consider communicating that through your syllabus, in class, and through assignments.

Offer opportunities for students to catch up on missed activities, such as discussions and problem solving sessions.

For courses that use class time for students to engage with course material, activities, and other students, you may want to consider alternative activities for students who miss class. This may be particularly relevant for seminars or courses that use active learning.

Regardless of the approach you choose, keep in mind that some students may be too ill to stay current with class material and will need to manage a lot of missed material from multiple classes. Consider whether a single comprehensive make-up assignment is a better fit than an assignment for each day. The assignment you provide will communicate to students what you find most important, and where they should focus their time and energy. Note that you may not know how long students will be out for when you initially assign the make-up work, so this may be an evolving conversation.

• Assigning a brief informal response paper.
• Assigning written or oral responses to discussion prompts or questions. Creating video responses is easy to do via Canvas discussion boards and assignments, for instructions, check  here .
• Suggest your in-class students write very brief summaries or conclusions from class; you can then ask absent students to respond to those summaries.
• If the student is not too ill to work outside of class students who expect to be absent could submit comments or questions ahead of class, for others to engage with.
• If you use an annotation tool such as Perusall elsewhere in the course, absent students could use this tool to add comments and answer questions on text that they otherwise would have analyzed in class.
• If students generally work in groups, absent students may be able to engage with the group work outside of class time. Students can work on group activities or worksheets individually. Note that work designed for groups may be too much for an individual student to complete on their own. Consider shortening or focusing the activity, or providing group notes.
• If multiple students miss class and are not too ill, they can meet together over Zoom to discuss the readings or work through problems. If meeting together is challenging, students can use a discussion board to have these conversations.
• If you generally grade in-class work or participation, set a policy for how this will apply to make-up work for absent students. Are you grading for their engagement in the thinking process or for a polished product? Often in-class participation is a messy process, so you may be comfortable with that in make-up work. Additionally, as these students will be working more individually without peer collaboration you may not be able to expect the same depth of answers. Consider grading based on effort and communicate to students that the goal is to learn the material and not to achieve perfect answers.

Create a plan for how students will make up or substitute for a missed exam.

Student absences during exams can be stressful for students and challenging for instructors to manage. It is useful to create policies around exams so that students do not feel pressure to attend class when they are ill. Further, policies that are proactive will prevent instructors from needing to devise a plan in the moment when a student does not show up for an exam.

When possible, use policies that allow flexibility for all students. With flexible strategies, you're less likely to need to individually manage multiple requests to make up an exam. You might also plan ahead for how you will administer a makeup exam, including how you will design an exam that might need to be taken at a later date or by a student who is not in class.

• Include multiple low-stakes assessments rather than a few high-stakes exams. With multiple assessments spread out over the semester, it is less problematic for a student to miss one, especially if you incorporate a policy that allows for students to skip an assessment.
• Consider a drop policy: If students are able to drop the lowest exam score or skip an exam, students can use this option if they need to be absent.
• Allow students to substitute one or two exams with an alternative take-home assignment, such as a paper or short research project.
• Administer multiple versions of the same test, wherein you vary the question order, the order of answers within questions, or have multiple versions of the same question. For quantitative fields, this could include changing the numerical values of a word problem or equation. For fields that involve texts, this could include swapping out which texts are drawn upon in the question.
• If you are worried about exam questions being shared with students who take the exam later, you might share exam questions with the entire class before the exam.
• If all exams are take-home exams, then rescheduled exams becomes much simpler. There is little incentive for students who do become ill and need to reschedule their makeup exam to share information, as they will have access to the same materials whenever they take the exam. To make take-home exams work well, you might consider asking questions that emphasize critical thinking and other skills, and you may want to explicitly state whether or not collaboration is acceptable. For more, see our page on  Online Exams and Assessments .
• You can  use Canvas to administer an exam  for even a single student that is open for a set period of time over a specific duration.
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Methods for Managing Late Work

Examining the reasoning behind your assessments can help shape your approach to tardy work, says Jennifer Gonzalez.

When she was teaching, Jennifer Gonzalez used to plod through a “pointless” exercise at the end of the term: allowing a few students to complete late assignments and then docking their scores by 50 percent for tardiness. In her recent blog post , she reflects on why that practice didn’t help her students and offers suggestions from other educators on how cope with late work. 

The first step, Gonzalez says, is to examine your assessment procedures as a whole. Ask, “What do your grades represent?” The emphasis should be on learning and growth, not compliance. “If your grades are too compliance-based,” Gonzalez says, “consider how you might shift things so they more accurately represent learning.” Look also at the quantity of what you grade, she advises. Many assignments function as practice, not assessment. Shift to fewer graded assignments, she says, even if it is a challenge to “convince your students that ungraded practice is worthwhile because it will help their performance on the big things.” 

The final step for evaluating your grading system is asking yourself, “What do I assume late work means?” Gonzalez confesses, “I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first started teaching, I assumed most students with missing work were just unmotivated.” But lack of motivation is rarely the cause; many students don’t complete homework because they don’t have the resources of their peers. 

The most important factor in your grading system? Creating a plan you can actually keep up with, Gonzalez says. Once you establish a system, you can develop a strategy for late work. She offers a range of possible options, curated from other teachers through social media, ranging from penalties to the elimination of deadlines. 

Many teachers still opt for penalties, and there’s a reason: “When work is turned in weeks or even months late, it can lose its value as a learning opportunity because it is no longer aligned with what’s happening in class.” If you choose penalization for tardy assignments, a reduction in points can motivate students to complete the work, even if it is late. “This policy still rewards students for on-time work without completely de-motivating those who are late, builds in some accountability for lateness, and prevents the teacher from having to do a lot of mathematical juggling with a more complex system.”

Other teachers implement a policy that rewards students who turn things in on time by allowing them to resubmit their assignments for improved grades; if the work is late the student can’t retake the assessment for more points or receive feedback. 

Punitive policies don't always work as motivators, Gonzalez says, because sometimes the reason for late work isn't related to a lack of motivation. As a result, many teachers are abandoning the practice. "Students may have issues with executive function and could use some help developing systems for managing their time and responsibilities. They may struggle with anxiety. Or they may not have the resources—like time, space, and technology—to consistently complete work at home," she writes. 

Separate Mastery From Deadlines

Some teachers use a separate assessment  to “measure factors like adherence to deadlines, neatness, and following non-academic guidelines like font sizes or using the correct heading on a paper.” Completing assignments on-time, in other words, is part of a separate evaluation from the mastery assessment--and students receive grades for both. 

“Although most teachers whose schools use this type of system will admit that students and parents don’t take the work habits grade as seriously as the academic grade,” Gonzalez writes, “they report being satisfied that student grades only reflect mastery of the content.” Because better work habits can yield better academic results, having this type of “work habits” score can be used to show students the importance of staying on top of deadlines.

Issue Selective ‘Passes’ or Use Floating Deadlines

Another popular option for late work is to anticipate it and offer a pass the student can elect to use instead. “Most teachers only offer these passes to replace low-point assignments, not major ones, and they generally only offer 1 to 3 passes per marking period.” A “next day pass” serves a similar purpose; students can use them to extend the deadline by a day. One teacher reports that the introduction of the pass gave her “the lowest rate ever of late work.” Some teachers use extension requests so students can anticipate when they might be late and write a proposal about why their tardiness should be excused. 

A floating deadline can help avoid the question of how to address late work altogether. Giving students a flexible range of dates when they can submit work allows them to take ownership in their work. “Some teachers offer an incentive to turn in work in the early part of the time frame, such as extra credit or faster feedback, and this helps to spread out the submissions more evenly,” Gonzalez writes. A variation on the flexible deadline allows students to turn in work that’s in process. Teachers then have the chance to review work and give feedback before the final grade. Students can also take responsibility by weighing in on when work should be due. “They may have a better idea than you do about other big events that are happening and assignments that have been given in other classes.”

What is the best policy on late work? The system that actually works for you. Gonzalez encourages teachers to experiment with different approaches and settle on the process that suits you and your students.

Missing assignments and what to do about them

• January 6, 2022
• Classroom Leadership , Growth , Missing assignments , Student Motivation

Have you ever looked at your grade book and been frustrated by the number of missing assignments? Zeros obviously have an adverse effect on student grades. To address this issue, there has been a lot of discussion about changing the way we grade or limiting the amount of homework given. These discussions should take place but I don’t want argue the pros and cons of those ideas. However, I do want to address the fact that we are ultimately concerned with students showing mastery. Missing work can make this challenging.

We (the adults) can adjust our thinking and strategies regarding missing work, however the constant truth is that mastery is the ultimate goal. For most students, it is going to be challenging for them to show mastery on assessments if they don’t complete the tasks and assignments that preceded the assessment. Why? Because there is a certain feedback loop that should take place between student and teacher before the student even attempts an assignment.

During my time in the classroom I did not find the magic bullet to solve the issue of students not turning in assignments. Zeros filled my gradebook with empty cells highlighted in yellow. However, I will share with you some things that helped me find some success in this area.

1. Talk to the student with the goal of problem solving

The problem ultimately is owned by the student. Keep this in mind and prevent yourself from burning out (I wish I learned this lesson earlier in my career). By listening to the student with the goal of helping them solve their problem, you are in position to offer valuable feedback. Feedback leads to potential adjustments that need to be made by the student. When students adjust based on feedback, they find opportunities.

2. Suggest a planner or digital organizer

Planning for the responsibilities and tasks that life will throw your way is a wise thing to do. Convincing students of this can be challenging. At the high school level, I have found it very difficult to get students to use a planner. I have had some success getting them to use apps. Currently, I use the To Do app by Microsoft and I highly recommend it. At the beginning of each day I sit down and type out all my goals (tasks) for the day. The ones that I complete, I make disappear and the ones I don’t can carry over to the next day.

3. Help the student discover their “Why”

My experience has taught me that students who don’t understand why they go to school tend to struggle keeping up with their school responsibilities. They may say the right thing regarding why they go to school but their missing work reveals something unspoken. You can help your students commit to excellence by helping them discover their “Why.” This revelation can lead to more motivation on the part of the student. Figuring out the “Why” can take some time but starting the conversation and helping the student begin that journey is very important. Here’s something that I would ask students to get started: What is it that you want to do in this world to make it better place for yourself and others?

4. Celebrate Progress

Sometimes, words of affirmation are what students needs to adopt habits that lead to work completion and submission. If you have a student how do used to accumulate a lot of missing work and is now making an attempt to change those habits, celebrate in a big way. Make sure the praise isn’t superficial, but identify specific things that you notice students doing differently. Praise tends to yield more of the desired behavior because students feel good when they receive it.

Missing work can be frustrating and can add extra tasks to your to do list. It can be especially frustrating if you aren’t getting support from parents or administration. Throughout it all, I encourage you to never give up. Remember that you can’t control the student and make them do the assignment, but you can help them problem solve why missing work is a challenge. Like all great teachers, we exhaust all of our tools, get some more and keep trying. You’ve got this.

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How to Finish All Your Missing Assignments Fast; 8 Useful Tips

When you do not submit or complete assignments on time you are faced with the challenge of missing assignments. It can be hard to keep track of all your missing assignments when they pile up but don’t worry.

First, talk with your teachers about the assignments you failed to submit and ask for a deadline extension. Then, make a plan for how to handle your work, putting the most important tasks first. Take breaks, treat yourself, and keep a good attitude to get more done. It’s not easy to make up for the schoolwork you missed, but if you’re organized and have a plan, you’ll be better able to handle whatever comes your way.

It is a daunting situation, and without the right approach, you may end up not finishing your missing assignments which will affect your overall grade. Here are critical steps that can help you finish all your missing assignments fast.

1.   Create a list of all missing assignments

When working on missing assignments, you are more likely to pick the easier assignment first and forget about the tough assignments. Making a list of all your assignments helps to make sure you complete all missing assignments.

List all the missing assignments that need to be done; even if you have to re-read notes, all these tasks must be included in the list. Tick off the tasks after completion to keep you motivated.

2.   Create a detailed timetable

A timetable helps you plan your tasks. Assign all your missing assignments time. Schedule more time for the tough assignments. Remember you are on a deadline, so whatever time you estimate an activity might take, reduce it by at least 5 to 10 minutes. You have to be ruthless and, at the same time, realistic when coming up with a timetable.

3.   Gather all assignment materials

After listing all the missing assignments, you will have an idea of all the required materials. You must gather all the necessary tools, such as laptops and writing materials. By doing this, you ensure that you will not have to take breaks now and then to fetch something leading to time wastage. If you are the type of person who concentrates better on music in the background, this can be a great time to choose a studying playlist.

4.   Switch off your devices

You must turn off all the gadgets not needed to do the assignments. These may include phones and tablets. You need to find a place with minimal distraction to enable you fully concentrate on the task at hand.

Being destructed will cost you time which could have been used to finish your missing assignments. Therefore, you can choose to keep your devices in a different room and only use them when you are on break. You can use one of the breaks already programmed to check on your social media.

5.   Ask for Assignment help online

If you’re thinking “I need help with my missing assignments” and want to finish homework fast, don’t avoid getting help. There are fast writers online who will help you with your assignments – for a small price of course.

Remember that your mental health has a big effect on how much you get done. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to finish your assignment faster if you are tired or stressed out. Assignment help experts will relieve you of your missing assignments stress.

6.   Reward yourself after finishing a missing assignment

Doing assignments may be challenging. Our brains work better when there is a possibility of getting a reward. Rewarding yourself after finishing each assignment will motivate you to continue and improve your speed.

These rewards can be a few minutes of rest, eating a snack, playing games, or spending some time on social media. These rewards should be manageable, they should not be activities that will take much of your time.

7.   Avoid unnecessary breaks

Breaks are very important when doing any task, but you need to be disciplined and take breaks only when necessary to avoid wasting time. The best way to do this is by working in short sprints and taking at most a 5-minute break.

Remember, it is also not advisable to work continuously without a break. Your mind will be exhausted, and you will take longer to complete simple tasks.

To ensure you are disciplined, you need to have punishments in place if you don’t achieve your target. You can punish yourself by taking away break privileges when a task is not done as allocated.

8.   Stay positive and remember what is at stake

Apart from following these steps, the most important step to finishing all your missing assignments is having a positive mindset. You must remember what is at stake, which in this case, is your academic achievement. Having this in mind will act as a form of motivational tool whenever things seem impossible.

Is it bad to have missing assignments in college?

Yes, it is bad to have incomplete assignments. You can skip some assignments without getting into trouble with the faculty, but you will lose some credits. Some lecturers are lenient and will award you partial credit for late submission of assignments, while others will give you nothing. When you miss assignments and are in an upper-division class, be sure your grades will be negatively impacted. You may not get into trouble with the faculty for missing one or two assignments, but your grades might be affected in the long run.

Do missing assignments affect your GPA?

Yes, missing assignments do affect your GPA. Missing assignments are usually given low or 0 marks which negatively impacts the grade, which is not a good thing for the student. You must maintain a GPA of 2.8 and above to have a good academic transcript. To remain competitive with the higher percentile range of students, you must have a 3.2 and above GPA score.

Can a professor drop you from a class for missing assignments?

Generally, a professor cannot drop you from a class because of missing assignments. However, this will also depend on your institution and its policy regarding missing assignments. Some lecturers are usually lenient and will pardon you for missing a few assignments, while others are stricter.

If you have any concerns about missing assignments, it is important to talk to your lecturer and understand their expectations and policies regarding missing assignments. If you are interested in getting the best results, you can contact your professor with genuine reasons why you missed the assignments and they might agree to give you partial credit that will assist in boosting your final grade.

Can I complete all my missing assignments in a day?

Yes, you can complete all missing assignments in a day. However, it will depend on the type and quantity of assignments you have. In most cases, it will be better to ask for more time instead of producing sub-standard work because of time.

Completing all missing assignments in a day will also require you to devise a good plan and implement it. You will have to stay away from any disruptions that may hinder your progress. Prior planning and communication with your lecturer will help you avoid situations whereby you have to complete a number of missing assignments within a day. You can ask for assignment help online if overwhelmed by deadlines.

Do missing assignments show up on transcripts?

No, missing assignments do not appear in your transcript; they only reduce your grades. Unlike cheating, missing assignments only affect total grades; therefore, it is better to have unsubmitted assignments than receive an “F” because of cheating. The only issue you will have on your transcript due to missing assignments is your GPA.

Can you graduate with missing assignments?

No, you cannot pass a class with missing assignments; therefore, you cannot graduate with incomplete assignments. To complete a course, some different assignments and tasks need to be completed, and failure to complete assignments will greatly affect your overall score.

Therefore, it is critical for a student to ensure that all assignments are completed and preferably on time. However, depending on the institution, you can graduate if the missing assignment didn’t greatly affect your final score.

Can a professor fail you for missing one assignment?

Not really, missing assignments will only impact your grade, and the lecturer has nothing to do with it. Most lecturers deal with several students and do not have time to deal with a particular student’s missing assignment. It is the responsibility of a student to make sure that all the assignments are completed. However, there are lecturers teaching units with few students; such lecturers have the time to follow up on individual students’ missing assignments. You need to know that even the lecturers that follow up on missing assignments will still deduct credit for a late submission.

It is completely the student’s responsibility to ensure no missing assignments. Professors do not fail students because of missing assignments because missing an assignment does not necessarily mean the student is performing badly; it might be because the student had a legitimate reason for not doing that assignment.

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Grade Calculator

Use this calculator to find out the grade of a course based on weighted averages. This calculator accepts both numerical as well as letter grades. It also can calculate the grade needed for the remaining assignments in order to get a desired grade for an ongoing course.

Final Grade Calculator

Use this calculator to find out the grade needed on the final exam in order to get a desired grade in a course. It accepts letter grades, percentage grades, and other numerical inputs.

Related GPA Calculator

The calculators above use the following letter grades and their typical corresponding numerical equivalents based on grade points.

Brief history of different grading systems

In 1785, students at Yale were ranked based on "optimi" being the highest rank, followed by second optimi, inferiore (lower), and pejores (worse). At William and Mary, students were ranked as either No. 1, or No. 2, where No. 1 represented students that were first in their class, while No. 2 represented those who were "orderly, correct and attentive." Meanwhile at Harvard, students were graded based on a numerical system from 1-200 (except for math and philosophy where 1-100 was used). Later, shortly after 1883, Harvard used a system of "Classes" where students were either Class I, II, III, IV, or V, with V representing a failing grade. All of these examples show the subjective, arbitrary, and inconsistent nature with which different institutions graded their students, demonstrating the need for a more standardized, albeit equally arbitrary grading system.

In 1887, Mount Holyoke College became the first college to use letter grades similar to those commonly used today. The college used a grading scale with the letters A, B, C, D, and E, where E represented a failing grade. This grading system however, was far stricter than those commonly used today, with a failing grade being defined as anything below 75%. The college later re-defined their grading system, adding the letter F for a failing grade (still below 75%). This system of using a letter grading scale became increasingly popular within colleges and high schools, eventually leading to the letter grading systems typically used today. However, there is still significant variation regarding what may constitute an A, or whether a system uses plusses or minuses (i.e. A+ or B-), among other differences.

An alternative to the letter grading system

Letter grades provide an easy means to generalize a student's performance. They can be more effective than qualitative evaluations in situations where "right" or "wrong" answers can be easily quantified, such as an algebra exam, but alone may not provide a student with enough feedback in regards to an assessment like a written paper (which is much more subjective).

Although a written analysis of each individual student's work may be a more effective form of feedback, there exists the argument that students and parents are unlikely to read the feedback, and that teachers do not have the time to write such an analysis. There is precedence for this type of evaluation system however, in Saint Ann's School in New York City, an arts-oriented private school that does not have a letter grading system. Instead, teachers write anecdotal reports for each student. This method of evaluation focuses on promoting learning and improvement, rather than the pursuit of a certain letter grade in a course. For better or for worse however, these types of programs constitute a minority in the United States, and though the experience may be better for the student, most institutions still use a fairly standard letter grading system that students will have to adjust to. The time investment that this type of evaluation method requires of teachers/professors is likely not viable on university campuses with hundreds of students per course. As such, although there are other high schools such as Sanborn High School that approach grading in a more qualitative way, it remains to be seen whether such grading methods can be scalable. Until then, more generalized forms of grading like the letter grading system are unlikely to be entirely replaced. However, many educators already try to create an environment that limits the role that grades play in motivating students. One could argue that a combination of these two systems would likely be the most realistic, and effective way to provide a more standardized evaluation of students, while promoting learning.

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Grade Calculator

Our Grade Calculator can help you determine what you need to get on your final exam to achieve the final grade you would like for a given course.

Do you know your Current Grade?

Fill in your assignment grades on the right to automatically calculate your Current Grade

Grade Needed on Final Exam

Please make sure all text fields are filled out.

Minimum Attainable Course Grade: 0%

Maximum Attainable Course Grade: 100%

Enter your assignment scores here to automatically calculate your current grade (e.g. midterms, homework, tests, labs, etc.)

Important Notes

You can use our grade calculator to calculate the final exam grade you will need to achieve the overall course grade you desire. Our calculator requires you to enter the current percentage grade you have currently obtained for that course together with the weight of the final exam as a percentage value. However, if you do not know what your current grade is, for the question "Do you know your Current Grade?" select the answer "no." Enter the grades you have received for all of your assignments, homework, test, labs, and anything else that contributes to your final grade, as well as the weight of each grade. Our grade calculator will automatically calculate not only your current grade but the grade you need to achieve on your final exam to achieve the overall course grade you desire. In addition, both the minimum and maximum course overall grades will be provided.

Once you have entered the information required, the system will generate both a table and a chart that show the different final exam grades you may obtain as well as the overall course grades that go with them.

Inputting Data in our Grade Calculator

When entering your current grade and the weight of your final exam, our calculator will assume that your current grade has been based on the weight of the course prior to your final exam and calculates it as the input weight subtracted from 100%. If your current grade hasn't taken your coursework into account, the generated results will not be accurate.

Similar to the above, if you don't know what your current grade is and you enter both the coursework grades and the associated weights into the calculator, the calculator will automatically calculate your current grade and the weight of the final exam. In this situation, the weight of your final exam is calculated by taking the sum of the weight of your course work subtracted from 100%. With that in mind, if you enter too many or not enough assignments, the weight of the final exam that is calculated will most likely not match the actual weight of the final exam in your chosen course.

You may also be interested in our Flesch Kincaid Calculator

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Judge Barred Trump from Attending His Son Barron's High School Graduation?

Defendants in criminal trials are generally required to appear in court in person., published april 16, 2024.

About this rating

Trump's lawyers submitted a request to the judge asking if the former president could attend his son's graduation. Merchan has not made an official ruling on the request. Therefore, Trump may still be able to attend his son's graduation.

High school graduation is a special occasion, and it would be a shame to miss it. That's why on April 15, 2024, the first day of his New York criminal trial over allegedly falsified business records and purported hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, former President Donald Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social  that the judge would not let him attend his son Barron's high school graduation.

The post began:

Who will explain for me, to my wonderful son, Barron, who is a GREAT Student at a fantastic School, that his Dad will likely not be allowed to attend his Graduation Ceremony, something that we have been talking about for years, because a seriously Conflicted and Corrupt New York State Judge wants me in Criminal Court on a bogus "Biden Case" which, according to virtually all Legal Scholars and Pundits, has no merit, and should NEVER have been brought. 

But, at the time of this writing, that wasn't true — Trump has not been banned from attending his son's high school graduation.

Defendants in criminal trials are generally required to appear in court in person. Trump's attorneys submitted two requests to Judge Juan Merchan asking to excuse the former president from appearing because of scheduling conflicts.

One of those was for April 25, 2024, when the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal from Trump about whether he can officially be charged for criminal actions taken while he was president. Trump wished to appear at the Supreme Court, but Merchan rejected the request. Trump complained about Merchan's decision in a separate Truth Social post , writing that it showed "such great disdain and disrespect for our Nation's Highest Court."

As for Barron's high school graduation, on May 17, 2024, Merchan didn't officially decide one way or another. Multiple media outlets wrote that Merchan said it was too early to decide either way, and that his decision could rest on whether the trial proceeded on schedule. 

Trump's allies, such as Kari Lake , the Republican Senate candidate from Arizona, ignored the fact that Merchan had not decided when they posted on social media supporting the former president.

Bushard, Brian. "Trump Claims Hush Money Judge Won't Let Him Attend Son's Graduation—But Judge Hasn't Ruled Yet."  Forbes , https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/04/16/trump-claims-hush-money-judge-wont-let-him-attend-sons-graduation-but-judge-hasnt-ruled-yet/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

CNN, By Kara Scannell , Jeremy Herb , Maureen Chowdhury , Kaanita Iyer , Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond . "Fact Check: Trump Falsely Claims Judge Won't Let Him Attend Son's High School Graduation next Month."  CNN , 15 Apr. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-hush-money-trial-04-15-24/h_97b70ae3f8097c6d8511dd1595cd535d.

"Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)."  Truth Social , https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112277727022231642. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

"---."  Truth Social , https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112277423663686687. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

"Https://Twitter.Com/KariLake/Status/1780022085181681938."  X (Formerly Twitter) , https://twitter.com/KariLake/status/1780022085181681938. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Italiano, Natalie Musumeci, Jacob Shamsian, Laura. "Trump May Miss His Son Barron's High School Graduation Because He'll Be on Trial over Hush Money Payments to a Porn Star."  Business Insider , https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-barron-high-school-graduation-hush-money-trial-2024-4. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Norton, Tom. "Fact Check: Is Donald Trump Barred from Barron's Graduation?"  Newsweek , 16 Apr. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-donald-trump-barred-barrons-graduation-1890711.

"Supreme Court Takes up Trump Immunity Appeal."  SCOTUSblog , 28 Feb. 2024, https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/02/supreme-court-takes-up-trump-immunity-appeal/.

By Jack Izzo

Jack Izzo is a Chicago-based journalist and two-time "Jeopardy!" alumnus.

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Effects of Missing Assignments on Middle School GPA

Middle school is more than just a transitional phase between elementary and high school. It’s a critical period where foundational skills and attitudes toward learning are solidified. Academic performance during these years can significantly impact a student’s future, setting the stage for high school and even college opportunities.

The focus of this article is to dissect a specific but essential aspect of academic life: the effects of missing assignments on middle school GPA.

Why should you care? Missing assignments can do more than just lower a grade for a particular class; they can have ripple effects that impact a student’s overall Grade Point Average (GPA), emotional well-being, and even their future educational prospects.

We’ve organized this article into several key sections to give you a comprehensive understanding. We’ll explore what GPA is and why it’s vital in middle school, delve into the reasons why students might miss assignments, and discuss the direct and indirect consequences of such actions.

We’ll also provide practical solutions for students, parents, and educators looking to mitigate these effects.

Whether you’re a concerned parent, an educator seeking solutions, or a student wanting to understand the repercussions of missed assignments, this article has something for everyone. So, let’s embark on this educational journey to understand better how missing assignments could be the hidden iceberg, silently denting your middle school GPA.

Common Reasons for Missing Assignments in Middle School

When it comes to missed assignments, one might quickly jump to conclusions, labeling students as lazy or unmotivated. However, the reasons are often more complex and multifaceted. Understanding these factors is crucial for parents, educators, and the students themselves. Here are some of the common reasons for missing assignments in middle school:

Table of Contents

Academic Challenges

The first obstacle many middle schoolers face is the academic rigor itself. Middle school is often a significant leap from elementary school in terms of workload and complexity. Students are exposed to various subjects, each with its own set of expectations and assignments.

This shift can be overwhelming, causing students to miss deadlines as they try to cope with the increased academic pressure.

Emotional and Psychological Factors

Adolescence is a turbulent period filled with emotional and psychological changes. The transition from childhood to adulthood brings about an array of emotions that can significantly impact a student’s ability to focus and complete assignments.

Emotional stressors such as friendship troubles, identity issues, or even instances of bullying can lead to missed assignments, affecting their GPA inadvertently.

Time Management Issues

Let’s be honest; time management is a skill that even many adults struggle with. Imagine a middle schooler juggling multiple subjects, extracurricular activities, and social commitments. Poor time management can easily result in missed assignments.

Students may have the best intentions but find themselves ensnared in a web of procrastination and last-minute rushes, which seldom yield quality work.

Family and Environmental Factors

Last but not least, the environment in which the student is raised can be a significant factor. Family issues, such as parental divorce, financial instability, or even lack of a quiet space to study, can make it exceedingly difficult for students to complete their assignments on time. Understanding the family dynamics involved can offer deeper insights into the issue at hand.

For educators and parents alike, understanding these factors can offer valuable insights into how to support students better and improve their academic performance.

Once you get to the bottom of why assignments are being missed, you can start looking for effective solutions, such as teaching students how to calculate GPA in middle school , helping them understand each assignment’s impact on their overall grades.

By identifying and addressing the root causes of missed assignments, stakeholders can create targeted interventions that not only prevent missing future assignments but also help improve a student’s overall middle school experience.

Direct Effects of Missing Assignments on GPA

Missing assignments in middle school is not just a matter of a reduced grade in a particular subject; it can have a broader, more significant impact on a student’s overall GPA. The implications can be both immediate and far-reaching. Let’s dive into the specifics:

Short-term Academic Consequences

In the short term, missing assignments can result in immediate grade reductions. Assignments often account for a significant portion of the grade for a course, meaning each missing assignment chips away at the overall grade.

This not only lowers the subject grade but also has an immediate impact on the overall GPA, affecting eligibility for honor rolls or other merit-based recognitions.

Long-term Academic Consequences

Over a longer period, the effects can be even more severe. Consistently missing assignments can result in academic probation or even course failure, necessitating summer school or grade repetition.

When it comes to applying for high schools or even college scholarships, a low GPA can severely limit a student’s options. Schools often consider academic performance a key indicator of a student’s ability to succeed in more rigorous settings.

Case Studies and Statistics Supporting the Claims

The effects of missing assignments on GPA aren’t just theoretical. Various case studies and statistics offer real-world evidence of how missing assignments can affect academic performance.

For example, a study conducted by the National Association of School Psychologists found that students who regularly submitted their assignments had, on average, a GPA that was 0.6 points higher than those who frequently missed assignments.

For students who want to get a grasp on their academic standing without getting into the complexities of weighted and unweighted scores, using a simplified GPA calculator without credits can offer a quick snapshot of their current GPA.

This way, they can understand the urgent need to turn in every assignment and its significance in the larger academic picture.

Understanding the direct effects of missing assignments provides critical insights for students, educators, and parents alike. It underscores the importance of being diligent with schoolwork and opens avenues for timely interventions.

Indirect Effects of Missing Assignments on Middle School GPA

While it’s essential to consider the tangible impact on GPA when assignments are missed, we mustn’t overlook the subtler, indirect effects.

These can include emotional and psychological stressors, social repercussions, and the potential for a downward spiral in academic performance. Let’s explore these less obvious but equally important consequences.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

The stress of missing an assignment can lead to emotional and psychological issues, which, in turn, affect academic performance. The failure to complete an assignment can introduce a fear of falling behind or not being “smart enough,” impacting the student’s overall well-being and self-esteem.

This emotional weight often compounds, making it increasingly difficult for students to catch up and meet future deadlines.

Social Repercussions

When a student frequently misses assignments and sees a drop in GPA, they may also experience social repercussions. Classmates and teachers may begin to view them as unreliable or less dedicated, affecting social dynamics and teacher-student relationships.

This, too, can contribute to an overall decline in academic performance, as students may become disengaged or isolated, reducing their willingness to participate in class or seek help when needed.

The Downward Spiral – How One Missed Assignment Can Lead to More

It’s essential to recognize that missing assignments can set off a chain reaction. One missed deadline can throw off a student’s schedule, making it harder to meet subsequent deadlines. This creates a snowball effect, as each missed assignment adds pressure and stress, leading to more missed assignments and, ultimately, a significantly reduced GPA.

Understanding the difference between weighted and unweighted GPAs can be enlightening for students concerned about how these missed assignments could affect their academic record. A weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty of the courses, while an unweighted GPA treats all classes the same.

Knowing this difference can help students and parents create a more informed strategy for course selection and assignment prioritization, offering a more nuanced view of how GPA is affected.

Understanding both the direct and indirect effects of missing assignments provides a holistic view of the issue. This comprehensive understanding enables educators, parents, and students to devise effective strategies to combat the problem, ensuring a more successful and less stressful middle school experience.

Practical Solutions and Recommendations

While understanding the challenges and consequences of missing assignments is vital, finding practical solutions is equally crucial. In this section, we aim to provide actionable recommendations for students, parents, and educators to address the issue effectively.

Tips for Improving Time Management

One of the significant reasons students miss assignments is poor time management. Here are some tried-and-true tips to improve this crucial skill:

Create a Study Schedule: Having a dedicated timetable for homework and study can significantly reduce the likelihood of forgetting or delaying assignments.

Use Digital Tools : Apps like to-do lists or study planners can send reminders, making it less likely to miss deadlines.

Prioritize Tasks : Not all assignments have the same level of difficulty or require the same amount of time. Learning to prioritize can ensure that more critical or challenging tasks don’t get left behind.

Break it Down: For longer or more complex assignments, breaking them into smaller, manageable tasks can make them less intimidating and easier to complete on time.

Communication Strategies between Parents and Teachers

Effective communication between parents and teachers can play a significant role in helping students meet their academic responsibilities.

Regular Check-ins: Scheduled parent-teacher meetings can be instrumental in keeping track of a child’s academic performance.

Open Channels : Utilizing emails or dedicated communication platforms can help in conveying urgent issues and immediate concerns about a student’s performance or missed assignments.

Action Plans : Collaboratively develop an action plan to address missed assignments, thereby providing the student with a clear pathway to improvement.

Remedial Courses and Tutoring Options

Sometimes, the root cause of missed assignments is a lack of understanding of the subject matter. In such cases, additional educational support can be invaluable.

School Programs : Many schools offer after-school remedial programs that can help students catch up on missed content or reinforce learning.

Private Tutoring : Hiring a tutor can be a worthwhile investment for more personalized attention.

Online Courses : Various platforms offer topic-specific courses that can assist in clarifying concepts and improving academic performance.

Implementing these practical solutions can not only help in reducing the number of missed assignments but can also contribute to an overall improvement in GPA and academic well-being. The key is identifying and addressing the root issue with the appropriate strategies and support.

Is it Possible to Recover your GPA After Missing Multiple Assignments?

The quick answer is yes, but it will take concerted effort and strategic planning. Missing multiple assignments can significantly impact a middle school student’s GPA, but recovery is indeed possible. Students need to prioritize future assignments, perhaps dedicating extra study sessions or seeking additional support from teachers and parents.

Many schools offer retake or makeup opportunities that can help recover some lost points. Also, the further along a student is in their educational journey, the less impact a single grade has on the overall GPA, giving students the chance to bounce back if they make a focused effort.

How Do Educators Handle Missing Assignments?

Teachers and educators have different methods for handling missing assignments, varying from school to school and even from class to class. While some may offer grace periods or partial credit, others might implement a strict no-late-work policy.

It’s crucial for students and parents to understand these policies at the beginning of the academic year to avoid any surprises. Open communication with educators can often provide tailored solutions for unique circumstances, such as extensions or extra-credit opportunities.

Can Extra-Curricular Activities Compensate for a Lower GPA?

Extra-curricular activities are undoubtedly valuable, offering skills and experiences that go beyond the classroom. However, they rarely can fully compensate for a low GPA when it comes to academic evaluations.

While activities like sports, arts, or volunteer work can make a student more well-rounded and appealing to future schools or employers, the GPA still holds significant weight.

That said, a strong portfolio of extra-curricular activities might provide some cushioning against the negative effects of a lower GPA, especially if the student can demonstrate leadership, dedication, or exceptional skills in these areas.

The ripple effects of missing assignments in middle school can extend far beyond the immediate academic moment. As we’ve explored, the impact is multifaceted, directly influencing a student’s GPA in the short and long term.

But the consequences are not merely academic; they seep into emotional well-being and social interactions, creating a cycle that can be challenging to break.

The subject matter should not be brushed off as a mere phase or rite of passage in a student’s life. It is a pivotal issue that calls for a concerted effort from students, parents, and educators alike.

Understanding the gravity of this issue is the first step toward constructive change. Knowledge arms you with the tools to make informed decisions, whether you’re a student contemplating skipping an assignment, a parent concerned about your child’s academic performance, or an educator seeking to understand the root cause of low-class performance.

It’s not just about the numbers on a report card; it’s about setting the foundation for academic success and life skills like responsibility, time management, and self-discipline.

In facing this challenge, being proactive rather than reactive is the key. This approach ranges from implementing robust time management strategies to fostering open lines of communication between parents and teachers.

It could also mean seeking extra educational support when needed. We’ve discussed several actionable steps that can make a meaningful difference, and the onus is on each one of us to adapt and apply these solutions to our unique circumstances.

In conclusion, missing assignments are not a simple problem, nor do they have a one-size-fits-all solution. They are a pressing issue that requires understanding, attention, and, most importantly, action.

Let this article serve as a guide and a call to action for everyone involved in the academic journey of middle school students. Let’s work collectively to turn the tide, improving not just individual GPAs but the broader landscape of middle school education.

Related Posts

Middle School GPA and Extracurricular Activities?

How Middle School GPA Affects High School Opportunities

What Is a Good GPA for a Middle School Student?

About the author.

Peter Watson

Meet Peter Watson, the Brain behind MiddleSchoolGPATool.com John is a seasoned educator, data enthusiast, and the founder of MiddleSchoolGPATool.com. With over a decade of experience in academia, John recognized the critical gap in accessible and reliable GPA tools specifically tailored for middle school students. Thus, MiddleSchoolGPATool.com was born.

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Show us your 2024 graduates, 4 years after 'COVID-era' celebrations

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It's been four years since 2020 graduates had a different kind of celebration, during the COVID pandemic .

Now, ABC7 Chicago wants to see your 2024 grads celebrating.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

If your photo is chosen, ABC7's morning team will show the image during the show.

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If you missed our Spring 2024 Graduate Information Sessions, don't worry; you can catch up on all the valuable insights by visiting our YouTube playlist . These sessions provide essential information about our graduate program. 

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Trump may miss his son Barron's high school graduation because he'll be on trial over hush money payments to a porn star

• Donald Trump's criminal trial may prevent him from attending son Barron's high school graduation.
• The historic trial began with jury selection in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday.
• The judge has not yet decided on Trump's request to skip trial for the graduation event.

Donald Trump may have to miss out on his son Barron's high school graduation ceremony next month due to the timing of the former president's first historic criminal trial .

Trump's hush-money trial kicked off with jury selection on Monday in a Manhattan courtroom.

As the court prepared for the first day of voir dire, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan said he received requests from Trump's attorneys for the former president to skip out on the trial on May 17 so that he could attend Barron Trump's high school graduation in Florida.

Related stories

Merchan said that he would not yet rule on Donald Trump's request to not have the trial held that day.

"It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial," Merchan explained.

Jury selection is expected to last up to two weeks.

After court adjourned Monday afternoon, Trump complained to reporters.

" As you know, my son is graduating from high school and it looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son, who has worked very, very hard," Trump told reporters Monday afternoon. "He was looking forward, for years, to that graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge isn't going to allow me to escape this scam."

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, alleging that he lied on documents to disguise payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Prosecutors allege Donald Trump's ex-personal attorney and former fixer Michael Cohen facilitated $130,000 in payments to Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election to buy her silence over a 2006 sexual encounter with Donald Trump.

Trump has denied the charges.

Merchan didn't outright deny Trump's request to attend the ceremony, but did shoot down his second ask — to be able to attend April 25 arguments at the Supreme Court, where his lawyers will try to convince the justices he has presidential immunity as a defense against the election interference charges against him.

Watch: Donald Trump was indicted in New York. Here's what we know so far.

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Two Japan Navy Helicopters Crash, One Body Found, 7 Missing

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel conducts a search and rescue operation at the site where two JMSDF helicopters crashed into the sea during a training exercise near Torishima in the remote Izu island group, off the southern coast of central Japan, April 21, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) -Two Japanese navy helicopters crashed into the sea during a training exercise, killing at least one of the eight crew members on board, the defence minister said on Sunday.

The two SH-60 patrol helicopters were conducting anti-submarine exercises on Saturday night near Torishima in the remote Izu island group, off the southern coast of central Japan.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told a press conference the cause of the crash is under investigation. The two flight recorders had been discovered in close proximity to each other and the probability was high that the two helicopters had collided, he added.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and Coast Guard are searching for the remaining seven crew members.

Earlier on Saturday, MSDF Chief of Staff Yoshitaka Sakai indicated he did not believe there involvement from another country in the crash.

In a post on X, U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel offered his country's assistance in search and rescue efforts.

(Reporting by Kevin Buckland; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Theatre Arts

From India to Iowa City: Meet Meenakshi Chinmai the assistant stage manager for Fierce

If you’ve ever attended a theatre production, have you wondered who keeps track of the props or who c ommunicates with the costume department? Who makes sure the performers are in the right plac e at the right time, and the technical aspects of the production are running smoothly? This is the job of a stage manager; they have the challenging job of keeping track of everything and everyone backstage.   

Meenakshi Chinmai is a second-year MFA student in Stage Management in the Department of Theatre Arts. An international student from India, she is currently working as the assistant st age mana ger alongside KatyBeth Schmid on the Hancher and School of Music collaboration, Fierce.   

Chinmai got her start in theatre at the age of six because her mother was a choreographer and physical trainer at a local theatre group. She began her career as an actor but, eventually, found her place behind the curtain.   

“I always had the mind of a stage manager,” Chinmai explains. “I memorized other people’s lines, I knew when props moved on and off the stage, I remembered each costume change and when it was supposed to happen. I was always out of character thinking about how someone forgot their entrance or missed their line.”   

Chinmai recalls an enlightening workshop with Professor Terry Converse from Washington State University, hosted by her mother’s theatre group. “I was only in eighth grade,” Chinmai says, “so I technically wasn’t allowed to participate but while he was there, I would help him, and he told me I was doing the work of a stage manager. That was when I first learned what a stage manager was.”   

From that moment, Chinmai began researching and developing a keen interest in stage management. “Stage management is not a common thing in India, so I wanted to explore it in more detail,” she describes her aspirations for her degree. “My goal is to go back to India and implement what I’ve learned here, so I can really contribute to the theatre scene I grew up in.”   

Chinmai looked into a number of stage management programs, but after speaking to her faculty advisor and mentor, Melissa Turner—assistant professor and head of stage management in the Department of Theatre Arts—she knew this was the place for her.   

“The program here is unique, we have so many opportunities to work in our department but also across the performing arts,” Chinmai explains what drew her to the University of Iowa. “Before coming here, I hadn’t stage managed many shows so the opportunity to work on shows in the Department of Dance or to stage manage for one of The School of Music’s operas really felt golden.”   

Since coming to the university, Chinmai has worked on several shows including Men on Boats , West Illinois Glass House , La Traviata , and The Children’s Hour. Her graduate assignment for the semester was to work on Fierce, in the role of assistant stage manager.   

“I feel really lucky to have this assignment,” she says. “I worked on the opera last spring and really enjoyed the experience, but it’s such a different experience working on Fierce with Dr. Menefield and KatyBeth.”   

KatyBeth Schmid is the production stage manager for the Department of Dance and the Martha-Ellen Tye Opera Theatre at the University of Iowa. Schmid is the stage manager for the Iowa premiere of Fierce , a contemporary opera that mixes the genres of jazz, R&B, Latin music, pop, and so much more. Originally commissioned by Cincinnati Opera, the piece was composed by Dr. William Menefield, a UI assistant professor of jazz studies, in collaboration with librettist Sheila Williams.  

“One thing I’ve enjoyed about working on Fierce is that it’s very much theatre,” Chinmai explains. “Sometimes opera can feel more like a recital, where the focus is on the singing. But Fierce is theatre. There is an emphasis put on acting as well as singing and I really like Dr. Menefield’s approach.”  

Fierce is an opera that follows the stories of four teenage girls about to embark on the next chapter of their lives—college—as, along the way, they come together to empower each other and grow as young women.   

“I love the story,” Chinmai explains, “it’s relatable, especially as a young woman. There’s a song called ‘Red Lipstick Warrior’ and it’s just really empowering.”   

During Fierce rehearsals, you can find Chinmai setting up the room for rehearsals, keeping track of all the props, and putting everything away at the end of the night. She’s the person who communicates with the costume and prop department about changes or needs expressed during the rehearsal process. She helps the rehearsal process run smoothly.  

After working on La Traviata last spring, Chinmai decided to take a course that focused on stage management styles for opera.   

“It’s great to be able to implement what I’d been learning in a real-life setting,” she says. “That’s one of the things I really appreciate about this university. When I leave Iowa next year, I will be leaving with a resume, a professional portfolio, and connections that can help me as I pursue the next phase in my career.”   

Fierce will premiere on Hancher’s Hadley stage April 26 and 27, and is co-produced by the UI’s School of Music, Performing Arts Production Unit, and Hancher Auditorium.