Just come back to this thread after work to say thanks so much again for your comments that have been so touching and incredibly kind. That complete strangers would be so supportive to each other in a way that few people irl seem to be.
To answer the points:
To not be allowed to resit IS very harsh and a shame for people who might have just got a bit lost somewhere.
There was no help or feedback prior to submitting. The OU gives you module materials and the option of booking tutorials for assignments. I attended them obviously for guidance and online studies are very isolating. There's the option of emailing the tutor if needed but didn't as there wasn't the need before.
FAIL = First Attempt In Learning. What a lovely way to look at things and great young people. They're lucky to have you.
There was a tutorial at the start of the year about writing assignments, referencing and such but not EMA's. In hindsight that would have been helpful as that's most of your marks!
Sometimes it's not confidence that motivates but wanting to do better, wanting to help others, proving the doubters wrong, even if they haven't been around for years. These people have their own problems and it's sad they don't recognise, work on or even admit them so they remain stuck. By the time they do, if at all, they haven't got the best out of the people around them. Even if those people stick around.
People with hard lives go one of two ways in my experience. Either they take it out on others or they use it as a benchmark to do better and try to spread a bit of kindness.
The ex-parents were very unhappy people who blamed me. It must have been horrible for them and I wasn't perfect but couldn't win. Really wish things had been different but there was no relationship. It has been liberating not dealing with constant unkindness, nit picking and hostility but it left its scars. It wasn't just them but some managers and colleagues as well. When enough people tell you something you believe them even though it's very painful, and sometimes they have their own agendas so you're unsure if it's you or them. Hope nobody reading can relate.
Yes, sometimes you are better off on your own although that's not always easy either!
Starting therapy next week to try and unpick before it's too late. Please consider doing the same if this applies and The Stately Homes thread in Relationships describes difficult family dynamics that might be of some help. It's true you can't please everybody.
"FAIL = First Attempt In Learning". What a lovely way to look at things and children like that can only succeed. They're lucky to have you for support.
Sorry to hear of others being disappointed with results or not feeling they can try in the first place. Keep going until you find something that works for you.
Where things are up to now is I called Student Support crying and spoke to a lovely advisor who also lives in the real world and understood. He talked through the options which have been said already on here. There's nothing in the way of ongoing tutor support. There was one support session I've already had.
Will rework what is possible before resubmitting then wait and see as the deadline's looming. Not at all confident but when there's nothing to lose might as well.
I agree this way of studying is the hardest yet it was presented as easier at the time as you can fit it around other commitments. A brick uni sounds more supportive.
Thanks again so much to you all for your generosity and suggestions. Hope this thread has helped others. Never give up or be afraid to reach out.
