To A: SHUT UP! Here I am working on my art project and I’m all into it and I’m enjoying myself, and then here YOU come and you start telling me about whatever the hell is on your mind at that particular moment, no matter how stupid or how dumb it may be, and I have to stop working. I really wouldn’t MIND if it were actually something interesting, but you keep telling me the same things over and over and over ad nauseum. And if I’m talking with someone at my table, I DO NOT appreciate it when you come along and interrupt me. CAN’T YOU EVER SEE THAT I’M BUSY?? I try and try soooo hard to make it as blatantly obvious as I can that I do NOT wanna listen to you, that I wanna work on something or talk with someone, but you never ever EVER pick up the hints! Funny how the other people at my table notice, but you don’t. And YOU’RE the one I’m talking to. sigh
To S: Now, you’re a cool person normally, but when it comes to class, you are probably the most annoying person I’ve ever had the misfortune of having as a lab partner. Can’t you think for YOURSELF? Do you have to ask me for the answer to EVERY SINGLE QUESTION for classwork? If you can’t answer at least some of the questions on your own, then GET THE F*CK OUT OF IB. Oh, and bring your own damned paper for once.
To L: Do you really have to be looking over my shoulder every time I grade one of your tests? And when I mark something wrong, do you HAVE to make me give you your test back so that you can correct your mistakes? Sorry that you’re an idiot and all that but you are putting ME in danger of getting caught helping you cheat. I DON’T want to screw up my record for you, especially since you’re someone I hardly know. If you can’t handle making mistakes once in a while, then like I told S, GET THE F*CK OUT OF IB.
Sigh being a whimp sucks. I wish I could actually TELL these people what I think of them.
Sorry this is so long and stupid but I’m not very good at this :o
You really gottta take a stand on this one. It isn’t worth getting burned for your best friend, much less someone you barely even know. Do you have to grade this person’s test or can somone else do it? Where is the teacher anyway?
Yeah, you’re absolutely right. The way we grade tests and things in that class is we exchange papers with people near us, and somehow I always end up with his. As for the teacher, I seriously don’t know how she doesn’t notice this. Maybe I can ask for a seat change or something.
Definitely go for the seat change. Tell your teacher you’re just not comfortable sitting there, or that you feel you would do better/pay more attention elsewhere. They like to know that a student wants to pay attention.
As for the art project, is this during class, or free-time? If it’s free time, can you listen to headphones? I know when I was in school, our art teacher was pretty laid back and let us listen to our own music. (We had to use headphones, though.)
And as far as the lab goes, can you get a new partner? You could always say something like “Ya know, I’d really like to work with So-and-so today, do you wanna switch partners?” Then just casually keep working with that same person.
By the way, I don’t get the feeling that you’re a wimp. I get the feeling that you’re somewhat shy and don’t feel like calling attention to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with being shy, it’s just that you have to learn to get things your way without making a fuss. Good luck. I hope things work out for you.
you need to learn how to say no without being confrontational. i’m an extremely shy person irl, and i’ve learned a few things to avoid letting people walk all over me:
*the person who keeps talking to you? if you are speaking to someone, just keep talking. totally ignore the interupter. if s/he says anything about it, say, “oh, i’m sorry. i was talking to this other person and didn’t hear you.” do this every single time until they catch on.
if you’re working on your art project and s/he interupts, once again, ignore. if called on it, say you were so busy that you didn’t notice anyone talking to you. talk about how you have such a one-track mind and how it can be hard to get your attention. say that it’s usually best to wait until you’re not doing something, and say it like you’re giving advice to a friend.
*the person who keeps asking you for the answers, suddenly you don’t know. if he persists, keep getting answers wrong. talk about how your grades are starting to slip. oh, and suddenly you’ve only brought two pieces of paper, both of which you need. sorry.
*the cheater needs a more direct approach, unfortunately. if you can’t bring yourself to speak to this person, talk to your teacher.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll try to bring a Walkman to art class, and I’ll most definitely ask for a seat change in English. My lab partner hasn’t been that bad about asking me for things lately, so I’ll leave that alone unless she starts again.