Extenuating circumstances

[Isthiscorrect]

Does anyone know from experience or can advise from a uni perspective about extenuating circumstances?
Ds yr 13, has been ill, still undiagnosed since mid September, so a month now. He has a permanent headache at between 6-8 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being hit round the head with an iron bar (doctors scale of measurement). No medication makes any difference. He has seen the gp, and 2 consultant neurologists, a chiropractor, the dentist (for removal of braces) and a behavioural optometrist. He was called for a lumbar puncture and then advised it wasn't needed at the moment as he was neither getting worse or better.
He is a straight A student under no pressure from us. Currently he attends school as and when he can. He studies at home, in small bursts. So far he reckons he is ok for 2 subjects but really struggling with philosophy. It's usually his fav subject but he just can't concentrate to read or write apart from note taking. School are happy to go with the flow at the moment but he (and I ) are worried about what will happen in his exams. I know it's a long way off but if we need to do anything then I really would like to know. Ideally I would love him to get better and all this would be unnecessary. Anyone? Thanks.

[ImperialBlether]

I'm sorry to hear your son's not well and hope he's better way before next summer.

I'm an A level tutor. I think you should keep the school informed (which you seem to be doing) and then prior to the exam you should ask for a doctor's note, which you should hand in on the day. I know there's an adjustment of marks if there's a sick note.

What is he hoping to study at university? Might he be better taking a year out? It might relieve the strain this year. Which other subjects is he taking? I wonder why it's Philosophy in particular that he's finding it hard to concentrate on - it's a brain ache for most people, but he seems to be coping with the other two subjects.

[Isthiscorrect]

Thanks Imperial. He wants to study politics and Social policy, he has a life plan. If it happens he doesn't make the grade, he will take a year out and help with the election then reapply. It's odd really (to me anyway) but he is very focused and has known for quite a long time what he wants to do. He has interned for the last 3 years at Westminster. None of this is coming from us.
Regarding subjects he is taking history, gov & pol and philosophy. He dropped economics although he got an A for it at AS level as it wasn't easy for him. He is passionate about his other subjects. He got over 90 UMS in all subjects and 98 in philosophy. He loves it normally. He says it's because the concepts are mind blowing and requires such intense concentration to grapple with the concepts. He is managing to make notes in short bursts but just can't concentrate on anything for more than 30 mins. So he is trying for little but often, but is so very tired. Some days he sleeps for 15 hours. We have another hospital appt today.
If he is sick now does he give the same sick note in in June? Does it need special wording? Because although he has been ill since mid sept he does go to school some days for as much as he can manage. School are accommodating although I don't know for how long. If he had to resit it wouldn't be impossible but not good, he is already the oldest in the year, early September baby (or adult I should say now) and they aren't offering philosophy to this years year 12 as the take up was too small. As I say not impossible but not ideal.

[Roshbegosh]

Maybe it's something else. Does he grind his teeth? A dental check might be worth while and you could get him a relaxation CD as this could be stress related. A life plan that hinges on his exams is a big burden for anyone. What does he do for fun?

[creamteas]

Generally speaking universities will look at cases like this sympathetically. He needs to describe the issues in his PS and get the school to confirm in his reference both his ill health and his level of ability.

The main issue you might encounter is the divide between ABB and non ABB places. If universities have no places left for non-ABB places, they can't be sympathetic without risking being fined.

[ImperialBlether]

Has he seen the degree at Leeds - Politics and Parliamentary Studies? One of my students has gone there this year.

It must be a terrible worry for you and for him, too, of course.

I think all you can do about his exams is to accept that your doctor will be able to write a letter to the exam board detailing his problems. He will also be able to get extra time if that would help and he would be able to sit in a room on his own and use a laptop instead of writing if that would help.

I really hope he's better by then. He sounds like an amazing young man - I love it when students his age are so highly motivated. Hope all goes well at his appointment today.

[lebasi]

Sorry to hear you and your son are going through this. My advice echoes Creamteas in that many Universities give consideration to personal statements and would be sympathetic to a student who showed such commitment to their studies. You/your son could contact the ugrad admissions team at any Unis he is interested in (Bristol has a fantastic Social Policy and Politics joint honours degree) for advice as to what to include in a PS and what supporting documentation he might need.

[ImperialBlether]

I know you say he has a life plan and is the eldest in the year (I saw this on another of your posts) so he doesn't want to resit the year, but in the end if the choice was take the exams now and get B grades or take them in another year and get A grades, then I'd advise him to wait.

You say his school won't be doing Philosophy next year, but he could always study it on his own, if his tutor was to spare him an hour or so a week. Or he could switch to the Extended Project for the year and carry out some research into something he's interested in. There are always lots of options. The problem with being 18 is that you want what you want and can't see that there are other routes to getting what you want, if that make sense.

[UptheChimney]

I agree with ImperialBlether -- life plans are wonderful, but sometimes life takes over. There is no harm in slowing down a bit. It's one year in 80 or so (we hope!)

And while universities can be sympathetic, to put it bluntly, you don't get a degree in being ill. You need to be fit enough to study.

I was very ill for about 6 weeks about 1 month before my mocks. I still wasn't hugely better by exam time, and I know my results suffered. I took a year out (I was only 16 when I took A levels anyway) and it was the best thing I could have done. I really was not physically fit enough straight after A levels.

[secretscwirrels]

Isthiscorrect I am sorry your boy is unwell, I hope he recovers soon.

I have had a similar thing myself. Relentless headache as if I'd been whacked across the head, completely untouched by painkillers. It's impossible to read, look at a screen or concentrate. Investigations found nothing sinister and it went away after about 5 weeks. Was it a virus? Stress? I don't know, but it happened the first time two years ago and again recently.
The reason I mention this is because I also have a DS in Y13 and he had the same thing six months ago. He is also a very hard working and ambitious straight A student. I'm inclined to suspect it was stress.

Has he done his UCAS application yet? If not I would wait a few weeks, he may be fine. If he is not improving then it may be better for him to take stock and decide whether to have a break now and start again next September? You and I know that a year is not much if it came to putting off his application but at 18 it looks very different.