Is it considerate or awkward to apologize to my teachers for my grades? TL;DR at the end.
Throughout my academic journey, I’ve consistently been an outstanding student, rarely receiving anything lower than an A. It’s really important to me that my teachers see me as dependable.
However, this year has been tough. I took on a workload that was way more than I could handle, and with a job and a demanding relationship, my performance has suffered. While I’ve managed to keep my 4.0 GPA for now, I’m anxious that I might not be able to maintain it this term. Tomorrow, I find myself submitting over 15 missing assignments to my teachers.
Next week, I’ll need to ask each of my teachers for letters of recommendation for my student council application. I’m concerned that this year’s performance might negatively impact those recommendations and hinder my chances of getting on the council.
I’m considering giving my teachers a small gift, like a plate of cookies, along with an apology note expressing my embarrassment about my recent performance, my gratitude for their support, and my commitment to improving next term. However, I’m worried that this might come off as an inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendations, and that they might not be particularly concerned about how I feel about my grades.
Should I go ahead with the gift and apology, or would that be over the top?
TL;DR: Despite usually being a good student, I’m struggling to maintain my 4.0 GPA this year. I’ll soon need recommendation letters for student council and am considering giving my teachers an apology note and cookies. Is this appropriate or weird?
It’s understandable that you’re feeling anxious about your grades and the impact they might have on your future opportunities. Wanting to express gratitude to your teachers is thoughtful, but it’s important to consider how your gesture might be perceived.
The idea of giving a small gift like cookies can be a nice way to show appreciation, especially if you genuinely feel grateful for their support. However, the note of apology might come across as overly formal or unnecessary—teachers often understand that students face various challenges. Instead of apologizing, you could express your gratitude for their support while acknowledging your circumstances in a more positive way.
For example, you could say something like, “I appreciate all your help this term. I know I’ve faced some challenges, but I’m committed to improving in the future.” This shows that you recognize their efforts and are taking responsibility for your learning.
As for the recommendations, if you’ve established a good rapport with your teachers, they will likely consider your overall performance and character, not just your recent struggles. Focusing on building those relationships and showing your commitment to improvement will likely resonate more than an apology would.
Ultimately, trust your instincts—if it feels right to you to give a small token of appreciation, go for it, but perhaps frame it more as a thank you rather than an apology to avoid any misinterpretation. Good luck!