The Way You Do the Things You Do

Why would a student show up on time, even early, to every class but never turn in any work? The student I'm speaking of participates in class discussions, but he has turned in literally no essays. I've reminded him several times that he needs to complete all essays, even if they're turned in too late to earn points, to pass the class. He says he knows. And yet he keeps coming in. He has zero chance of passing the class. I truly don't understand. I had a student in a similar situation last semester. That one, though, was a big pain in the ass, frequently interrupting class and insulting his fellow students. The one semester seems like a smart and sweet kid; he just doesn't do the work.

Today was in-class writing make-up day in my classes. I gave this opportunity not only to students who had been absent on a day when we had an in-class writing, but also to anyone who wanted to do a rewrite in hopes of raising his/her grade. Of the three who showed up, two took about fifteen minutes to write and slap something on my desk. The other took his time and developed what I expect to be a good essay. Three of the students who needed to make up an essay didn't show up. At least four students didn't turn in the essay (worth 25/150 total course points) that was due on Monday, and which I made clear I would not accept late. I had expected some students to show up today with pathetic excuses about why they hadn't turned their papers in on Monday, but none did. Maybe they realized I wasn't kidding about the deadline.

I really do love teaching, but even after more than twenty years of odd student behavior, I still don't understand. My best guess is that some of them are being pressured to attend and don't want to tell their parents that college isn't their thing. Instead, they let me get the message across with their grades. I have to constantly remind myself that they are barely adults, that their choices are not always going to lead to what's best for them. I expect some crying and whining next week, but I'm off until Monday and am going to put as much of it out of my mind as I can.