Midterms suck. This should come as no surprise to anyone. However, certain grading systems in University of Michigan classes make the situation a hell of a lot worse. I’m writing this under the inspiration of a sociology class’ midterm score with an average of 65%. No curve, no mercy, and a straight scale (90=A- 80=B-, etc.) There were 7 scores out of 205 that exceeded 90, none over 94. This is much like a biology class last year where the first test average was a 62%. At least with biology you know they’re trying to clean out the Pre-med wannabes and have three other exams to let you catch up with, but a sociology class!?

When did “don’t worry, it’s only 25% of your grade” become a phrase of consolation? In both of these classes the teacher claimed that they take all the scores together at the end of the term and if there’s still disparity they may nudge a slight curve. Of course by that point all of the people who failed the test drop the class and the average magically rises, leaving those who stay screwed and curve-less. Graduate schools looking at your transcript can’t see that your B- was actually among the top 10% of your particular class. Is there some universal balance because there may be some classes that give A’s to 60% of students?

The current system at hand has students looking for classes with easy A’s rather than classes in which they might actually learn something. The system is flawed and needs to be changed. Until then, let me know some easy A classes for next year because I’m tired of this bullshit.