So I just started taking my first grad class. Its an online course and we have this paper that's due tomorrow, we are also supposed to post a summary of our paper on the class discussion board.
I did a ton of research last week and wrote my paper over the weekend. I went on today to post the summary and submit my paper. Someone else did the same subject and posted her summary yesterday! I didn't submit mine yesterday because FI was proofreading it for me. Now it's going to look like I just stole her idea. I'm freaking out. If this were a real class everyone would bring their paper in tomorrow when it's due and no one would know what anyone else wrote their papers on before then.
The professor is going to think I cheated.! Whyyy does my life suck so flucking bad all the time!?!?
Re: You guys, I need shoulders to cry on
Ok, don't worry about it! What is the topic of the paper? When I assign a paper, I expect that some of the students topics will overlap, but that doesn't mean they cheated! You will obviously have totally different actual papers!
Is her thesis the same? Did she outline the evidence she used? Just go back and make your summary a little more specific and make sure to emphasize the parts of yours that are different. No sweat! You will be fine!
OOh, also, since I am guessing the discussion board is a little more casual, start your summary by saying:
Wow, student name, great minds think alike! I also wrote my paper on topic. I used some different evidence and research as you though, so I would love to read yours when I can!
Then do your summary.
It's a nutrition class and the assignment was just to choose any diet product or publication that we think is an example of quackery and explain why. So really there's a million things you can choose from and I picked something that I thought was pretty obscure (at least I'd never heard about it), but I guess it wasn't that unique.
If it wasn't for the fact that this is going to be the professor's first impression of me, it wouldn't be so bad. I just really need an A in this class because I'm not actually accepted into the graduate program yet because I'm lacking science classes in my undergrad. blaaahhhh Never taking an online class again!
I'm sure it will be fine! Really
I teach grad courses, and it wouldn't give me a bad impression if two students worked on the same topic. Undoubtedly, their sources will be different, and since you were taking extra time to edit - possibly your essay will be superior in quality.
Also, while these early assignments seem to loom larger for first impressions in an on-line course, I try very hard as a teacher to be open-minded about every student for the whole term. Sometimes students are late bloomers; other times they crash & burn after a promising start. Consistent preparation and clear thinking usually matter a lot more than a great first essay (though it does put you off to a good start).
Did you submit your paper today anyway?
BFP #2 5/27/12. EDD 2/1/13. m/c and D&C 6/21/12.
Ok my whole masters was online so I have a little experience. Did you log in yesterday and see her post? The teacher can see when you logged in and how long it was for. If the times don't match up that you would have seen her paper then it's not a big deal. I remember when I first started the teacher told us they could see what our actions were in the class. By that I mean, how long we spent on the discussion boards, listening to lectures etc. If people started to complain about the grades they were getting then the teacher always referred back to their online time.
This and Jilly's other comment. I really think you'll be fine. You could also e-mail the professor separately to explain. Honestly you will be fine.
I saw your subject heading and I expected much worse (related to our Sept 2013 babies). Don't scare me like that!
This too. I won't speak for other teachers, but like ken&kendra I never lock students into a rut of high or low quality, especially not so early on!
Thanks everyone! I emailed the teacher privately to let her know that I realized after I wrote my paper that someone else did the same topic. She said not to worry, it happens all the time, but of course I still worry it may make my ideas appear a little less original.
@jilly - I totally commented on her post that great minds think alike. I think you're right that it's a good idea to acknowledge that I realize we did the same topic.
@M&S - Thanks for sharing that about the time spent on each thing online. I never even thought she could see that.
@kat81 - sorry to scare you. mini-muffin is doing just fine, despite have an overly-emotional hormonal mama