Here is your grade! (Oh, and Happy Holidays)

I just saw this note on foundmagazine.com. It reminds me that my least favorite time of year is coming up. Grading. That time of year when all the students who I don't recognize (because they don't come to class) show up at my door to tell me that they will "do anything" to raise their grade. "Can I do extra credit?? Please??"

What could they "do" to raise their grade? Coming to class would have been a great start. I hate this time of year because I'm actually a huge softy. So while there is nothing I can do to help them (no extra credit, sorry), it makes me feel like a huge heel.