extenuating circumstances

yully

I was allowed extensions on all my uni work due to EC's and they now don't have to be in until June. I have got some completed but don't think I'll get them all finished due to ongoing ill health and family problems. I'm just wondering if anyone knows if I can ask for a futher extension or am I going to have to retake the whole year? thanks xx

MrsManda

I think it depends entirely on your university and how much work you have completed so far. In my department if you've passed the majority of your modules you may go progress into the next year and just retake the module you failed. Though this only applies to the coursework/exams not the teaching as it will not fit into your timetable.
Also we take 4 units a year yet technically to get a degree you only need 11 (or 330 out of the usual 360) so failing a module isn't the end of the world.

However it is also likely that progression will depend on a dicussion between you and your university as to whether your health will permit you to progress into the next year with extra work. It may be better for you to take a year out.

EC means that you will still recieve student finance if you take an extra year or drop out and start again when you are better. Also if your health is an ongoing problem you may want to consider applying for Disabled Student Allowance once it is decided what you will be doing next year.

HTH

yully

thanks for you advise. I already get DSA and fingers crossed I should be ok to continue next year. The main problem I've got in sitting down for any length of time. I haven't been able to get my essays done because over the last year I've been in hospital twice for spinal surgery and my mum and brother have both died, I'm now trying to catch up on my work but at the moment can only sit for around an hour or so a day due to the pain in my back and I'm just worried I'm not going to be able to complete my work on time.

MrsManda

yully wrote: »

thanks for you advise. I already get DSA and fingers crossed I should be ok to continue next year. The main problem I've got in sitting down for any length of time. I haven't been able to get my essays done because over the last year I've been in hospital twice for spinal surgery and my mum and brother have both died, I'm now trying to catch up on my work but at the moment can only sit for around an hour or so a day due to the pain in my back and I'm just worried I'm not going to be able to complete my work on time.

*hugs* sounds like you've had a really rough time
As part of your DSA assessment did you receive a dictaphone and an allowance for a non-medical helper? Dependent on the nature of your coursework, could you dictate it? That way you could do it walking around as well as sitting and a non-medical helper could type it up for you.
I have to lie down when I'm ill so I set my computer to read my papers to me and I make notes either on paper or when I can't write, by making comments on my dictaphone. Then when I'm feeling better I can write them up. Also, you should be able to get a programme which will type as you speak which may help as you won't be limited to sitting.
Have you sorted out special arrangements for your exams or do you not have them?

GlasweJen

Hi Yully, you need to talk to someone from the student advisals service, they might be able to defer a couple of your exams to the re-sit period so that you've got less to focus on now and then you have time to get the notes together from the missed classes to sit the rest of the exams when the resits are going on.

bestpud

I agree you need to contact the uni.

I would ask my personal tutor, student support (I assume there is a disability advisor?) and the person/department who deal with ext circs.

I am sure you should be able to dictate your assessments and get someone to type them up for you. A bit like a note taker that people can access through the uni for lectures?

Or they could give you some voice software?

You actually sound as though you are doing ok in the circumstances so give yourself a pat on the back and try not to get too despondent.

bitsandpieces

Your options will depend on the uni (though it's also worth remembering that - if this year's work runs over into next year - that will be extra work you have to do).

You could try voice recognition software for future work - lets you work standing up quite easily.

yully

thanks everyone for your advice and help. I've e-mailed my course tutor and just waiting to hear back. She's been really good in the past so fingers crossed. Ideally I'll be able to leave a couple of the essays and finish them over the summer. I'm determined to keep going but just couoldn't bear the thought of resitting the whole year. I'm going to sit the exams as usual and get them done and dusted, I have already been allocated extra time and am able to get up and walk around if necessary. Also just been into the library and got told off by the staff 'cos I didn't email before I went as they could have already got the books out for me! Think I just need to start accepting the fact I need some help! xxxx

yully

HI again, I'm after advice again. I've spoken to my tutor and can now get an extension until July, so i've got 8-9 weeks to complete 10 essays as well as having 3 exams. She says I need to think about retaking the year which I really didn't want to do but I'm now thinking that realistically I don't have much choice. Any suggestions?xxx

MrsManda

yully wrote: »

HI again, I'm after advice again. I've spoken to my tutor and can now get an extension until July, so i've got 8-9 weeks to complete 10 essays as well as having 3 exams. She says I need to think about retaking the year which I really didn't want to do but I'm now thinking that realistically I don't have much choice. Any suggestions?xxx

If your personal tutor is supportive of you retaking the year it may be your best option. That way you won't have the stress you have now and can spend the next few months conserving your energy and concentrating on improving your health.
It also means that you can read your notes/books when you are feeling well so you have a greater grounding when you start again. This means you're ahead before you start so there's less pressure if your symptoms flair up again.

What are your concerns with repeating the year? Is it simply not wanting to go through it again?

yully

thanks mrssmanda, the second year of the course has been a bit of a slog, i'm doing psychology and criminology and it's all been theory and research which obviously I have to do but it's just not very intereting. It's also the thought of going throughit without my mates obviously they'll all be in the third year and I don't know anyone in the year below us. I'm a mature student so live at home not in student accomodation so don't meet many other students, also I'm quite shy and aware that everyone will by now have their own groups of friends.