Speak up
‘Talk to your department as early as possible about what needs to be done,’ advises Carey Widdows, Director of Careers Advisory Service at the University of Reading. ‘If they don’t know, they will assume everything is okay.’
Your personal tutor can advise you on your options. Lost credit points in the first year may be able to be bumped up in the second year. Assignments may be re-submitted, and modules deferred, depending on the circumstances.’
Most universities will allow you to resit an exam if you fail, usually before the following academic year starts. This option is open to students who have failed first time round, have had family problems, or have been ill and haven’t been able to sit them.
Visit a medical centre if health problems are affecting your studies and get medical certificates to provide evidence if you need to apply for special consideration.
When it comes to needing more time for coursework, or the opportunity to resit an exam, your options will vary depending on the degree and the institution. It is important that you find out how many times you can resit an exam, whether or not coursework can be deferred and, perhaps more importantly, what impact it may have on your degree.
Time to defer
Jenny Grady faced an unexpected crisis, which meant she was unable to complete some of her coursework.
‘At the end of my first year my Dad had a massive heart attack. I spent every day and night in hospital for about six weeks that summer until my dad was fit enough to go home.’
‘I was in a terrible state and could not go into university. My boyfriend had to explain to my personal tutor that I would not be able to submit my work.’
Jenny’s tutors understood and she was able to defer her coursework until the following year. Deferring work meant an extra pressure for Jenny in the second year though. ‘It was tough, but I got there in the end with a lot of support and encouragement from my personal tutor and my lecturers.’
‘Deferring my work did not have any effect on my degree, as I handed it in on the agreed date. I was still able to complete it to a high standard and knowing I had the support made it easier for me to ask for help if I needed to. I graduated with a 2:1 from John Moores University, Liverpool.’
These are extreme circumstances, but if you are struggling with your workload in general and have a valid reason for lateness, go to your tutors as soon as possible, as they may be able to grant you an extension rather than continually losing marks for late work..
Don’t be disheartened if you fail coursework or an exam. If you speak up, know your options and take full advantage of support services along the way, graduation will remain firmly in sight.