I am just starting to realize the unfairness of having Teacher Assistants grade papers and assignments. There are some Teacher Assistants who grade really easily and other who are just plain dicks. I am taking Spanish II right now and the classes are taught by TAs. Spanish I, I had the nicest TA possibles. He would let us slide on homeworks if we had a proper excuses. He would help us with the oral presentations and give us the topics before the examinations actually occurred. However, this semester, for Spanish II, I could not get the same TA. I could not fit his class time in my schedule. Therefore, I had to take the class with another TA. She is completely different than the TA I had before, in terms of grading. She does not give us any hints or study guides before the tests and quizzes and presentations. I was really sick this past weekend and completely forgot about this week's homework. But she would not give me any chance to make it up, but instead told me that as a college student you should find ways to delegate your time. I just feel the same classes should be graded by the same person so that everyone gets graded on the same scale.
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There was a kid in my spanish class who had had the teacher before, but had to retake the class because he failed. The teacher treated him just like a TA, He never did any work, and basically graded papers the whole time. Do you know what? That kid got an A+ in the class.
You must realize, though, that the TA you had before would let you slide. This one isn't, so you'll just have to work harder. It's not fair, but what other choice do you have?
I think the unfair TA was actually your first one. He let you slide a lot and gave you an inaccurate perception of the way things are in a university. I really don't think there is a "good excuse" for not completing an assignment. The next time you're sick, you may want to consider giving your TA a phone call or an email letting them know it, rather than just showing up to class without the assignment. Some TAs are cool and will let you slide, others--most in fact--will tell you unless you're sick enough to bring in a doctor's note, you're not getting out of the assignment.
TAs are students like you. It may sound unfair to you, but they set aside their time to grade those papers when they come in. They delegate that time so that they can juggle it into their class and homework load as well. Having something to grade later that they wouldn't have before throws that off.
I really don't see anything unfair about your new TAs teaching methods. You can easily make a study guide from the book, lecture notes, and syllabus; there shouldn't be information you never learned on any quizzes or exams. You're probably going to find out that a lot of TAs and professors won't give you study guides and second chances. It's not unfair, it's just the way college is. I'm sorry you are finding the hard way.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
I've never had a TA.
I don't think we have such a thing at this college...
are you sure? usually the "lower" classes--English 101 and 102, entry level language classes, labs--are all taught by TAs just because there is no point to spending the money to hire a professor when a graduate student will do it for $9 an hour and/or class credit. Look at your schedule of classes. If it says it's being taught by "staff" or something, rather than the name of a professor, chances are it's being taught by a TA.
That, or your tuition is really really high. ;-)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
Not at my school. Professors or those with a MA teach classes, with very few exceptions. TAs grade the papers. At larger schools, yes, TAs teach the course. Smaller schools, it's pretty darn rare. And I prefer it this way.
Now labs, yes, those are taught by TAs who have taken the class before. At least, the lower division labs in chemistry are. Once you get above organic, professors teach them.
And my tuition and fees plus housing amounts to about $12K a year, probably less.
~C
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I have had TAs who were similar to this new one you have...and have found that I learn more and respect them more for their hard practices. She is a student too...obviously she is getting her stuff done so I wouldn't expect her to give anybody else a break when she is a student as well. Now you know her rules...now you can be prepared better. Good luck