designed by [[ pinkprincees- ]]
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Dear students,
Fact of life 1: Most people tend to over-estimate their performance. For example, I think I am an above-average instructor in SMU. However, the truth is that students' evaulations don't support this psychological thinking. So, take my advice: Don't over-estimate and self-create unhappiness.
Yes, I do agree that you have grossly overestimated yourself. You think that because you are a PhD holder and we, merely undergrads, you are all high and almighty. And if you really think that you are an above average instructor, then you are wrong, as there are many other instructors who are as brilliant as you are, but they sure do teach better than you.
Fact of life 2: Hard work is a necessary condition to excel. But hard work alone is not sufficient to guarantee excellence. Take my advice: Don't think that you put in efforts and therefore deserve a higher grade. Take a look at the very hard-working workers. I can assure you that there are endless stories told about hardwork but don't get the pay rise or promotion.
But don't you realise that those who got the promotion or pay rise are hardworking people? Anyway, a promotion is not determined by just hard work. It is being there at right place at the right time. It is also being able to recognize opportunities, and being able to make use of them. But grades are different. Exam results are determined by how much you have studied, having discounted factors like being ill and so on.
Fact of life 3: Despite acrimonious and personal criticisms I received for the mid term and probably end-of-course evaluations, I am generous in giving you marks for class participation, individual persentations and project reports. I am also very generous to give all students two marks for the last question in the final test. So take my advice: Don't spoil my generosity.
Oh please, do not make it sound as though you are the saint, and we, the devils. You should really do some reflection and think of why you get the bad remarks whereas others get good remarks. Stop being so petty for goodness sake! If our feedback were to be always criticized upon, then what's the point of even asking for feedback? I think you should just hide in that shell of yours if you cannot face up to reality that you did get bad feedback!
Fact of life 4: You have until 30 April 2005 to review your grades. I have taken pain to make sure that the grades are fair, error-free and commensurate with your ability and performance.
Fact of life 5: In finance, the no-free-lunch or no-arbitrage principle applies. If you want a review of your grade, I will also review less generously your class participation, the two marks for the last question, the project reports etc. There is a possibility that review requests may result in lower grades
Is that a threat or something? And stop making it sound as though you are the most generous fella on earth. I think you are the pettiest, nastiest scum I have ever come across!
If you really like so much to talk in this preachy attitude then I guess SMU is not the place for you. I think you should be a priest. Better still, be the Pope and preach to 1.1 billion people! Stop talking to me about facts of life!
[This was a letter sent out by one of my Profs to all the students in his class. The red marks are my responses]
*| 6:23 AM |*
