Advice needed please

maggiesoup

My son is in his 3rd year studying English at Uni away from home.

He was doing OK in years 1 and 2 but this year has been much tougher. He's realised that it was going to be harder and admits to taking his eye off the ball in the first few months from Sept-Dec as his essay only got a D. He went to see his teacher and he told him that he had made lots of silly mistakes so son went away, tail between legs, and prepared for the next essay.

I know he spent a considerable amount of time on this second essay because he turned down lots of chances to play the sport he loves, he also sent me and a few Uni friends who are studying English too, a copy of the essay just to double check everything, It seemed great to me so I thought he had it nailed.

He's just been on the phone saying he's been given another D mark but he simply doesn't know how he can improve or what was wrong with it.

What's the best thing for him to do? Appeal (if so, to whom?) go and speak to his tutor again (sounds like there's no love lost between them) or should he or I speak to someone else at his Uni?

Any help would be really useful.

Thanks in advance.

Anxious mum

Wantobeasaver

He should speak to the tutor again and get a break down of the essay, if this isn't helpful then he may have a personal tutor he can talk to or student support.

I understand you care but he's an adult, you shouldn't be contacting the university and (quite rightly) they wouldn't discuss this with you.

maggiesoup

Wantobeasaver wrote: »

He should speak to the tutor again and get a break down of the essay, if this isn't helpful then he may have a personal tutor he can talk to or student support.

I understand you care but he's an adult, you shouldn't be contacting the university and (quite rightly) they wouldn't discuss this with you.

Thankyou. Agreed, I really don't want to get involved but I don't know what to suggest he does.

(I remember hearing about a woman - whose daughter got a 2-2 - who marched into the University to complain - I was mortified thinking of the scene - and of course it didn't change the outcome!

jayII

As above, he needs to have the comments and reason for the grading explained.


It's also worth advising him, when writing his next essays, to request a meeting with the subject tutor once he's written his plan. He can then look over his plan with the tutor and get their advice and support--he should obviously do this well in advance of the deadline. Most tutors are very happy to help and advise students in this way.


When I was studying for my degree, my tutor told me that most of the students who did this got As and Bs in their submitted essays.


He should also check he's referencing correctly, this is often marked much more strictly in year 3.

maggiesoup

jayII wrote: »

As above, he needs to have the comments and reason for the grading explained.


It's also worth advising him, when writing his next essays, to request a meeting with the subject tutor once he's written his plan. He can then look over his plan with the tutor and get their advice and support--he should obviously do this well in advance of the deadline. Most tutors are very happy to help and advise students in this way.


When I was studying for my degree, my tutor told me that most of the students who did this got As and Bs in their submitted essays.


He should also check he's referencing correctly, this is often marked much more strictly in year 3.

Thanks Jay, fantastic advice, I will pass on straight away!

Wantobeasaver

maggiesoup wrote: »

Thankyou. Agreed, I really don't want to get involved but I don't know what to suggest he does.

(I remember hearing about a woman - whose daughter got a 2-2 - who marched into the University to complain - I was mortified thinking of the scene - and of course it didn't change the outcome!

Yes that would be incredibly embarrassing!! Hope your son finds the help he needs. Plenty of people have managed to pull their grades up even in 3rd year.

maggiesoup

He spoke to his tutor yesterday but, reading his body language, I don't think it really helped much. When he gets good feedback from his work he's on a high but he seems very low these days. (I did query everything else in his life just in case and genuinely don't think anything else is bothering him!)

Had a friend over for lunch today and he suggested, if I felt it might be beneficial, perhaps a few private lessons before a big exam?

I remember getting a few lessons from a private tutor when he was sitting his Maths Higher and I think it helped a bit but don't know if you can do that if you're at Uni?

Both he and I would prefer to work it out with his tutor but may be good to have a plan B just in case?

If he ends up not coming out with a Degree after 4 years of study (4 years in Scotland) then it would be very disappointing.

howdm

He could post a 'help wanted' notice, or check if there are any tutoring offers already posted, at the English department. Many graduate students tutor in thier spare time to make extra pocket change (and don't charge exhorbitant rates, I assume). It would also be beneficial to have guidance from someone who knows the subject well.

CharlieRabbit01

His university should have an appeals and complaints policy, this document should outline the procedure for appealing.

However do not be surprised if it says a student cannot challenge an academic decision i.e. appeal against a mark.

I work at a university and this is our policy.

As others have said their maybe essay writing support available to him.

TBagpuss

Does he have a personal tutor, in addition to the individual who set the current issue? If so, he should speak to that person for advice about where to go for further help.
Is there a tutor group - can he get other members of the group to comment on / critique his essay? Can they let him see theirs so he can compare them and try to see what he could be doing differently?

Also - he could speak to Student Support services - if there is an external reason for his work going down hill they may be able to help him. Is it possible that there is something going on in his life that you are not aware of, which might be contributing to the academic problems? (e.g. health worry, break up of a relationship etc)

maggiesoup

TBagpuss wrote: »

Does he have a personal tutor, in addition to the individual who set the current issue? If so, he should speak to that person for advice about where to go for further help.
Is there a tutor group - can he get other members of the group to comment on / critique his essay? Can they let him see theirs so he can compare them and try to see what he could be doing differently?

Also - he could speak to Student Support services - if there is an external reason for his work going down hill they may be able to help him. Is it possible that there is something going on in his life that you are not aware of, which might be contributing to the academic problems? (e.g. health worry, break up of a relationship etc)

Thanks again for all support & help. No personal problems just not getting high enough marks however he has one last exam on 11th May so hopefully with your help and recommendations the outcome should be better. Fingers crossed.