I probably shouldn't be freaking out, right?

sarakiefer · October 2011

I just had an "Oh sh!t" moment and now I'm freaking out a little. I'm in my last quarter of college before I graduate with my degree. Between working full time, school, and going to the doc twice a week, my brain is fried. So, I was writing out an agenda for how to plan the entire month of November to fit everything in. I noticed one of my final exams is scheduled to take place on Nov 21st which will put me at 38w3d. Surely, LO will still be baking then right? I know there is no way to know when he will come, but it really has me freaked out that I may not be able to graduate. Graduating with my first degree before LO is here has been a major goal of mine, so I've been working my butt off. Would it be stupid to talk to my professor about this right now? I'm probably freaking out over nothing but I just don't like that my final and LO arriving are around the same time. Can you tell I'm a control freak? lol

This is a vent more than anything. Felt good to get it out. Thanks for reading

dyequeen · October 2011

It sounds like we are in the same situation. I have 3 finals scheduled all around the time baby is due and I talked to my professors at the beginning of the semester and will be setting up meetings with them next week to figure out alternative times to take my finals if I need. All of my professors were very understanding, and as you are a senior, yours will more likely than not be wanting to help you graduate too!

Good luck!

katyragsdale · October 2011

I don't think it would hurt to talk to your professor about your options, especially if it would make you feel better. Maybe you could take it a week early instead.

robynlynn83 · October 2011

Talk to your professor(s) now. I was in my first semester of graduate school when DD1 was born and it made a huge difference when she was born at 35 weeks...on a class presentation day no less

Rebecca2024 · October 2011

I don't think it would be too hard to get a medical excuse if you do happen to go into labor early/unexpectedly.
I highly doubt they'll withhold graduation from you.

At my college, they had make-up days already scheduled into the first part of the next semester (for the fall finals). You had to work this out with your professor ahead of time and not just show up next year expecting to take an exam, but I think that's doable.
If walking is important to you, my college also let you walk.

Most professors are probably going to want you to take the exam early rather than next semester though. It helps them close/wrap up their books.

If you showed up to school with a note on hospital letterhead, I don't see any one questioning it.
If it's just a matter of recovery, I'm sure a note from your OB would suffice just as well.

I don't think it's "stupid" to talk to your professors now; I think it would be beneficial to all involved.

Good luck!

emd2887 · October 2011

Talk to them now. I'm in grad school and made sure to talk to all of mine in the beginning of the semester, just in case. Thankfully I did, because now we've had to make alternative plans for getting me to finish and they've all been very understanding. It's much easier for them if they know ahead of time.

DiademChi · October 2011

I would totally talk to your professor and see if you can take the exam early just in case. It's the responsible thing to do -- In other words, you're informing an employer/professor of a medical condition that may require hospitalization and time off when a large project is due. You're not over-reacting, but being a proactive planner.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · October 2011

Talk with your professors. I had a talk with mine at the beginning of the semester just to give them a heads up in case anything happened. I'm glad I did because I now can't attend my classes on campus due to bed rest. They've all been very accommodating. Baby is due 2 weeks before finals, but my professors of my on campus classes have already said I can just take them from home. I'm sure if you are a good student with a good history in your previous classes they will be willing to work with you since they can look and see that you aren't just screwing off. Not that a baby is by any means screwing off, but I am willing to bet that if someone had lots of lower grades, dropped/withdrew from lots of classes, they'd be much less willing to work with them than someone who really applies themselves.

jchytil · October 2011

I agree with everyone you need to talk to your professors. I am on the flip side of the coin I am an adjunct and teaching this semester and I hope I will make it to give my final! I have made arrangements with my superiors in case I go early.

sarakiefer · October 2011

Thank you ladies! I have emailed my professors and I'm crossing my fingers they work with me, just in case. I tend to overreact about a lot of things and I was making sure this was something to worry about lol I'm hoping I'm just worrying for nothing though and I'm completely done with school before LO decides to make his appearance.

anne.ortego · October 2011

Don't forget you can always talk to the department head and the dean if needs be if some of your professors give you a hard time about your finals.

MesmrEwe · October 2011

Go in and talk to your professor during office hours and just discuss what your options are. A friend is an econ professor and had a student in this same situation but with her induction/c/s date... They appreciate you doing this earlier rather than later such that if there are any problems, they know what is going on. The best thing you can do is keep that line of communications open with them!!

teetime345 · October 2011

I would definitely talk to your professor as soon as possible. You can at least figure out what your options are if baby decided to come a little early. Ideally, baby would still be cookin away, but you just never know. I'm sure your prof would appreciate the heads up, and from experience, they are usually willing to work with someone when given notice rather than the last minute panic that many students get.