Of course I didn't ask

I got an email from my advisor simmering with disapproval that I didn't start my practicum hours. Which of course I didn't, because I was waiting for him and the site person to say when to start the hours.

I thought I should have started sooner, but if I had asked, he would have told me I should read the packet. Which I did: nothing about starting the schedule was in the packet. A lot of information isn't in the packet, but I get the air that I should know anyway. It's my fault: if I weren't so stupid or lazy and if I had chosen to be more responsible, I would know what to do.

My general system is if I don't know what to do, I wait until either I figure it out by myself or someone gets mad at me for not acting sooner. That way I only get in trouble 90% of the time instead of 100% of the time for bothering people with stupid questions or being inconsiderate.

I am sorry, winterglen. Another example of how things get lost in the shuffle in higher academia. And the profs and deans and advisors and other folks have so much on their plates, the students are left to fend for themselves.

Please go ahead and speak up if something like this occurs again. Students are considered responsible for making sure they meet requirements, even though that really doesn't seem fair.

Are you going to be able to get a practicum underway? I hope so.

Yes. Thank you. The schedule's set. As for my advisor, I didn't bring it up with him, because any explanation I give is going to sound like a pathetic excuse for being a lazy entitled snot.

If I have any important questions in the future, I'm just going to ask my site supervisor or the coordinator at my school. The advisor just expects me to figure it out on my own.

When I'm unsure I try to figure out a way to ask questions without it looking like I'm asking questions :-) If you thought you were maybe supposed to start the practicum earlier, I would have pretended to be all excited and asked the site person or advisor, "Can I start now or should I wait until Monday; I can't wait!" It makes you look like a "go-getter" when you're just trying to get information. I always volunteer to help people with things, too, because most of the time they will turn you down so you don't have to do the work but you appear to be a helpful person, LOL. If I get caught out and taken up on my offer, that's okay, I am a helpful person actually (if a bit lazy :-)