I have a pile of papers to grade this weekend. A virtual pile, to be specific, but the fact that these are on my computer does not make them any less daunting. I had them last weekend, too, but I was working on a different set to hand back, one that had come in a day previously. This weekend is definitely the time I have to plough through 42 shorts papers, or 3 pages or so each. So what am I doing? Making bread, cooking dinner for a couple of friends, and cleaning my house. And writing for Daily Kos. But I will work to get maybe 10 of the papers done today, maybe 20 tomorrow, then the next 12 over the next few days; current goal is Wednesday, but Monday to return exams to the same class.
In other words, I know from procrastination (I do need to walk on the treadmill some thing afternoon too). I am not the best at concentrating. But I can do things on time, and I know that when there is a deadline you do have to meet it. In my world, a grant application cannot come in late, a letter of recommendation has to come in on time.
That is why I stick to deadlines in my classes. But I hate it. Sometimes the world does work inflexibly, and other times dates are kinda timey-wimey.
Come with me below the twisted path of orange logic for more.
There are reasons to stick to deadlines. It models good professional practice, no matter the profession. It is fairer to all in the class if everyone has the same deadline, and thus the same amount of time to complete an assignment. It is also easier for me, particularly if I am on top of things, as I can organize my grading without submissions trickling in over a couple of days.
But I also know that sometimes there are things that come up. I try to be sympathetic, but I do expect dedication to the general task at hand and communication about any issues that come up from students who need help. I have in my syllabus that I am more likely to give an extension if you can show me that you have budgeted your time carefully and have made substantial progress before the emergency arose is important to me, and that is in the syllabus. If the paper can't come in on time because you are too sick to get out of bed, I ask you to send me whatever you have so I can take into account the amount you have done. Anything will show me that you have not waited until the last minute will help convince me to give you the benefit of the doubt.
I am currently most concerned by several students who seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do. I don't know if it is balancing life and school or school and work, or if it is fear of failure that overwhelms someone's ability to even start a project, or if it is inability to figure out what is required in a particular assignment. The classes that seem to have the most noticeable issues with turning things in are first years and seniors. I understand that if you are a freshman it is sometimes challenging to figure out how to manage your time, but there are certainly other issues going on for a senior. Maybe it is senioritis that causes complications, or perhaps worry about postgraduation plans. Or overloading in the last semester, at a time when it might be better to take a lighter load of classes.
What I am worried about myself is that this has gotten worse over the past four years. I haven't seen anything changing in what is asked from students, but the resilience of those students (both freshmen and seniors) I have in my classes is lower and lower. I can counsel each student individually, but it would help if I could figure out a universal constant that explained what is going on. Help?
Thanks for your suggestions!
But that is okay, too. Taking responsibility for not making a deadline, and understanding the consequences is an important lesson as well.