can you get an extension on extenuating circumstances?

brians_daughter

Hi all, not money saving as such (but could save me the cost of re-sitting the year).

I had to submit ex circs on 2 exams last sem as i was in hospital. I have today got a letter from uni stating i need to submit 2 additional 3000 word pieces of work in place of each exam, which needs to be handed in in 2 weeks time..so 4 3000 words in total that i wasnt expecting (i expected (and was told by a tutor) i would sit the exam with the re-sits in May)

The issue lies with the fact i am almost 40 weeks pregnant and i am due very soon with signs that labour/delivery isnt far away. Uni are aware fo this as i couldnt sit the exams due to pregnancy complications

There is no way i can plan, research and complete 4 additional pieces of work in this timeframe and obviously (at very least) the 1st few days after baby is born i will not be able to study as i can now.

I have called uni and am waiting for someone from student support to call back, so in the meantime does anyone know (given the circumstances) if they would extend the deadlines given...or is it a case of trying to do what i can and having to re-sit a module next year?

MrsManda

I think the answer to your question is dependent on the policy of your department/university.

My experience is that yes, you can extend extenuating circumstances in some cases.

I deferred exams last year from the main exam period in May, to the secondary exam period in July that my university runs for people who for some reason cannot sit exams in May. I couldn't sit exams in July as my issues hadn't resolved so the department set up an exam period just for me at the end of August. Unfortunately I couldn't sit then and had to defer the year.

However I am aware that my situation was unusual. I had the full backing of my personal tutor as I'd continually kept her informed of any issues I was having and backed it up with evidence when I could so she argued my case. And I was part of a small course/department where everything was a bit more personal than your average class.

I hope it works out for you.

melancholly

i think this will depend on your uni's specific rules. do you have a course handbook with all the details of how to apply for extenuating circumstances? i'd imagine having a baby would be seen as a reason why you couldn't do the work (!), although be prepared that they might argue you should have just done it earlier (although if you just heard about the essays, then they can't do that). were you told in person by the tutor or did you get it in writing? from this point, getting things in writing is the way to go! do you have the letter from the committee last year confirming what they agreed or is this the first that you've heard about it?

the committee for ex circs will not meet very often, so find out asap when you will be able to find out what they say. i'd contact your department rather than student support, as they will be ones to make the decision and it saves one level of involvement which can cause delays/confusion.

brians_daughter

No i didnt get it in writing, I actually called one of my tutors on Friday as the exam was on the Monday to say i had been admitted to hospital and i wouldnt be allowed out for at least 72 hours if they could bring my blood pressure down. I enquired as to what i needed to do re exam. I was told i needed a sick note and to submit the ex circs online (which i did from hospital) I asked what would happen about the exam he said i would sit it with re-sits.. i asked when this was as i didnt relish the thought of sitting an exam with a newborn and was told May... so in my head i could 'shelve' it until May as its seen exams

This was in December and the board have only met in the last week or 2 (well, the 11th Feb according to the letter i got today)

I have done most of this sems work so i could be ahead of myself, but there is no way i can do 4 additional bits of work... uni library is a 60 mile round trip and when in slow labour its probably not a great idea to get on the motorway is it lol..

I could start on 2 of the 4 as the questions they have set (by chance) are things i already have personal as well as academic interest in so i have many books here already that i could use. However, i feel that by starting on this whilst getting contractions on and off isnt going to produce the grades i have been used to obtaining

Just waiting for the head of dept to call me back, but shes only been with the uni since Jan and i havent had any dealings with her as of yet...but have heard shes not a people person so we will see!

Fang_3

You may well be able to get an extension, but frankly you should easily be able to do a well-researched 3000 word essay in two days max. I think giving you two weeks to do four is extremely generous. Don't forget these are in place of exams, so you shouldn't be given a long time in which to complete them.

brians_daughter

Fang wrote: »

You may well be able to get an extension, but frankly you should easily be able to do a well-researched 3000 word essay in two days max. I think giving you two weeks to do four is extremely generous. Don't forget these are in place of exams, so you shouldn't be given a long time in which to complete them.

Whilst i do agree with what you are saying (in usual cicumstances) for me ATM this isnt possible. I am having daily checks at the hospital which take 2-3 hours and i am in early labour..meaning that trips to the uni library (60 miles round trip) just isnt possible - well, it is possible but IMO very dangerous when you are driving down the motorway with regular contractions! :mad:

Still awaiting on a response from the head of dept..but she promised to get back to me today.

I am doing what i can on the 2 essays i have material for, good job i have time on my hands as i am finding it impossible to sleep at the minute