Teachers: How should I deal with this embarrassment?

Question

So I have an assignment, and I made a major mistake on it...

But I already handed it in, and I want to hand it in again. (With only one part changed)

I'm embarrassed of doing so, but she said it's alright to make minor changes, though I'm afraid the changes weren't so minor.

I'm embarrassed, because I'm usually the best student, and the teacher is going to be disappointed in me.

I slacked off the day before, and did a bad job on it.

I know she will take off some points.

How do I save myself some embarrassment (I'm a bit shy), and make the whole situation better.

Should I send an email, approach directly, what should I do?

(But I don't want to send an email and then sound like a coward either.)

Which is a good approach that teachers would like to see?

Please be honest. I can take harsh statements.

Answer 1

I think you should just redo the assignment and turn it in with a note explaining why you made the mistake and how embarrassed you are about it.  Explain that you knew you were better than that and that is why you redid the assingment.  Ask for an average of the two grades.

Answer 2

i would go to your teacher and tell him/her that you had to make some changes because you werent happy with your work once you handed it in.  and your after thought was alot better then the first.the teacher should give you credit for being honestas well as taking the time to do it again and for being your own person critic.

Answer 3

Go talk to your teacher.  If she has offered for you to resubmit and you are really freaked out, resubmit.  Seriously, your teacher probably doesn't give a flying f**t in space, but you do.  Fix it up so you are happy with it, resubmit, get on with life.

Teachers like assertive students who are willing to come see them, make the effort.

Answer 4

Geez! Just tell the teacher you need to make some changes and want to know if your changes would be acceptable within the guidelines she set out.

Answer 5

you should approach her directly if the mistakes mean a lot

to you. but i think you should let the mistakes go away

since its a one time thing. she wont judge you after everything

you have done over one silly assignment. you can still make

up for it in other assignments. and people slack off sometimes

Answer 6

just approach your teacher and tell her the truth. if you slacked off then you deserve to have points taken off. just tell her the truth and do your best when you revise it. everyone likes honesty and she's a teacher, she'll more than likely know if you are making up excuses or not. i'd imagine that she would just want something straight foreward and honest.

Answer 7

Who cares, you let the terrorists win when you're afraid to turn in an assignment with big changes, when already changes are allowed.

Answer 8

if you have a history of being a good student then just explain to the teacher that you made a few minor mistakes and want to hand in the assignment again because you corrected the mistakes

Answer 9

talk to her privately about it. and maybe she will jsut take off a few points and give you a chance to do better.

everyone has their bad days

Answer 10

I am a teacher and I would say really it depends on the teacher you're dealing with and what kind of relationship you have with them.  Teachers are people after all.

As for me, I would say I would prefer a student just flat out (in person) explain what happened and what they want to do.  I really appreciate directness from students and honesty as well.  And I definitely respect that a LOT.  

But for ANY teacher I think the fact that you're going through the effort to redo an assignment shows that you care.  I know for me I LOVE when I know my students care enough about my classwork to go through the trouble of redoing and improving assignments.  Furthermore if you're one of the best students in the class I think your teacher will be very understanding.  I think you shouldn't sweat it.  Be honest and explain yourself.  Things should be fine.

Answer 11

First of all I'm not a teacher, but I'm probably going to be one, and I've given advice to my teachers before which they readily accepted and shared with others. The teacher probably won't mind you making a major change because she knows your work ethic and that this won't keep happening. Approach her directly, after class to let her know the situation, even if she doesn't let you change it, it's no big deal, one mistake in a near flawless record will get you by and be forgiven. Trust me it's happened to me before too.

Answer 12

tell her u werent finished can u see it 4 one sec then switch it

if its best answer plz vote so

Answer 13

As a teacher I understand that not all of my assignments get the attention needed.  Be honest and tell your teacher and I encourage you not to be so hard on yourself.  A good teacher will understand and listen to you, they will also realize that you are shy and the effort you make to talk to them will be appreciated.  Good luck, I wish I had more students with your drive and ambition.

Answer 14

If there was a family/personal crisis that prevented you from working on this assignment, you can be honest with her about it.

For instance, when I was in high school an armed intruder broke into our home, and my entire family was traumatized.     I have 5 younger siblings, and they didn't want to go to bed, outside, or anything.    

I had a report ... and one week to do it. ... and THAT was the week we were given that assignment!     I was so ashamed that I wasn't able to control the situation, and I was pretty much willing to take a zero.

A friend told me to talk with the instructor, and the situation worked itself out because I was given another couple of weeks (because there was such a crisis).

I'm not saying the crisis has to be THAT bad, but you can either say something and take the lumps ... or you can avoid saying anything and take the lumps.

Learn from me, sweetie, you cannot be perfect all the time.   No matter how much you try, you will never please everyone .. and if you keep trying to please everyone ...YOU will end up worn out and miserable.

Source:   my life...grew up in a violent neighborhood, alcoholic parents, dad died when I was 8, three of my six older siblings were addicts, and I was anorexic for a couple of years.     ..... Stay strong ... decide what is really important to you ...AND... whose opinions truly matter to you.

Answer 15

Well if you want to get it back and you are really shy you should write her an email before she grades it or if she really cares shell talk to you about what happened and then you can tell her and if she really knows you are a good student she will know something is wrong.

Answer 16

Okay... First off, it's okay to not be the "best student" all the time, especially if you're trying your best; that's what really matters. Besides, teachers aren't looking for students that are the best in the class, they want everyone to do their best. She won't be disappointed in you, don't worry.

You can approach him/her directly, and just politely tell him/her that you made a couple of mistakes. I'm sure your teacher won't blow off on you, relax.

Answer 17

go up to them, and ask to change it. tell her that you know you made a mistake, and you really want to fix it.

Answer 18

If you typed it, just retype it with the changes and attach a little note (since you don't want to talk to her). Admit that you messed up and just be honest. I have had students who have turned in sloppy work when they usually do well, and I feel guilty grading it, or it depresses me because I feel like I did something wrong teaching them. Sometimes, it's very obvious and I can call them out on it, but if you're shy, she probably feels uncomfortable like she might upset you. You can email her too. I don't always like if students come swarm me before or after class with strings of excuses. It's confusing and disorganized. Now, if you plagiarized or did something that you could get in trouble for, you need to go to her directly. Go after school and you will get the best result. That is when I least mind seeing students. (That sounds callous- I mean it is easiest to have clear conversations.) Other than plagiarism, I think an email and attaching the final paper would be highly appropriate - you could bring in a hard copy the next day.

Answer 19

I would approach directly.  Relax, nobody's perfect.  These mistakes come, it's how you handle them that is important.  Take the consequence and learn from it.

Answer 20

A sloppy job deserves a bad grade. There are no do overs in life. Why should you get a second chance just because you're the best student?

Answer 21

[Sorry, I am not a teacher...]

Well, i have experienced similar situations. But this is how i see it:

Don't be afraid to go up to your teacher and openly admit the fact that you made a small mistake, and that you would like a chance to correct it (It is probably good if you e-mail your teacher first as a heads-up to address your question/ problem, and then discuss it more at length in person). That is what teachers are there for - to help their students learn and grow, and address any problems their students may have. They love to see that students are learning through their own mistakes and that they have the ability to improve if mistakes are made. It also marks a mature student; it shows that you are developing communication skills that are necessary for the present time and also throughout your whole life.

It is all part of life, making mistakes, even small ones such as those made on school projects. Even so, you might regret it if you do not edit that, or perhaps your teacher may be disappointed if she knows that you knew how to do that part of the project properly but did not manage to correct it. Also, when college comes around, things like this will happen all the time, and you will need to be able to handle problems like this on your own, with confidence in yourself and abilities.

Go for it, if you are the best student, live up to your expectations, do the best you can, even if it means having a few points taken off. Definitely ask your teacher about this. A 'minor change' is nothing! The resulting grade will most likely be better than the one you would have earned. Best of luck.

Answer 22

Well, you can choose to ignore it -- it's not the end of the world.

Or, just go ask the teacher and see if you can have your assignment back, to 'edit' it -- if she says "no", well.

Too bad. :/ Life goes on, it's okay. Don't worry too much.

Answer 23

If your teacher is anything like me, he/she will have encountered many cases of students misreading or misinterpreting questions.  Your situation wont be as unusual as you think.

If it really is bothering you, I would suggest approaching your teacher directly and explaining the situation.  This way, you will be able to get direct feedback.  It is unusual that they have allowed you to make adjustments after the submission date.  That is not my school's policy.  However, if they have, take advantage of the opportunity to fix your mistake.  Just make sure you clarify with your teacher how much of a change is acceptable beforehand.

Last of all, don't worry about it too much.  It is common to be overly worried about a task after you have handed it in.  If it is as bad as you've made out, as you have yourself admitted, you left your preparation too late.  Learn from that mistake and start earlier next time.

Answer 24

Just let it go. If you were in your teacher's shoes, I dont want students mentioning things over and over. you get me? sometimes it gets annoying. if your teacher said it sokay, then just let it go and hope you will do well next time. that is part of life.. Life is all about mistakes and correcting them to make better decisions later on in life. But keep p the good work. dont loose your touch just because school is almost over :P.

Answer 25

Stop worrying, you'll be okay.

Answer 26

Stop over-thinking_if this bothers u how will u feel when something MAJOR happens_try to approach ur teacher with confidence if u have to_otherwise, don't worry about it_and maybe then you'll won't have to rely people on the internet to make decisions for u_i do hope for the best_seriously, stop making this a bigger deal than it really is

Answer 27

Okay, this varies person to person, but as a teacher, email is usually fine for me, but if you feel like she's the type of person who would appreciate your honesty more face to face, then go that route.  In this situation, if she said changes are okay, then you should take the opportunity while you can, and if you have the great track record like it sounds like you have, your teacher will most like have no problem letting you edit a few things.  

I wish there were more students like you in the world.  

Good luck!

Answer 28

Be honest, teachers were kids once too. If they know your diligent they will understand.

Answer 29

CHIIILLL. it's ok, since the teacher knows you are a good student, your probably guarenteed for her to give u a good mark even if she didn't read the whole thing.

and what was he embarrassing part in it? why do u want to change it so bad?

good luckk!!

-kayla shmay.

Answer 30

when teachers say "minor changes"

they dont care if its minor or big

Answer 31

If I were you, I would hand over the new assignment and tell the teacher that while you were busy, you rewrote more than you first intended to. So the change is not so minor, but you couldn't just stop because you got inspired.

Normally, your teacher will appreciate the fact that you are open about it and she will not have the surprise of finding out that a whole part has been changed.

There is no need to write an email, just approach her directly before or after class.

I hope this helps.