resits plus essays - this is good news, right? staff opinions sought!

[Misthios]

DS has just finished 3rd year of a science-based degree (we are in Scotland and he still has a year to go). He has failed one of his exams this year, he is doing two subjects. Passed both exams first semester, failed one in second semester. DS has a (proper medical) diagnosis of dyspraxia and ADD. He is not medicated. He had his resit today and felt it did not go well, it was his least favourite / most difficult topics, he had a mindblank half way through....

Anyway, at the exam, someone from the university came in and told him he has to write 2 x 1500 word essays on topics he has been studying, due on Thursday lunchtime. He did not know he was going to be asked for these and is now in a total flap.

I have told him that this is an amazing opportunity, and that the uni has clearly recognised that not everyone demonstrates their ability through traditional exams. And that if he throws everything into these essays and does well, that might be enough to pull him through even if the exam went as poorly as he thought.

Am I reading this right, or giving him false hope? And yes, we are investigating getting him additional help going forward.

Just popping back with an update as @Talulahalula and @unicareercrossroads were so helpful back in the summer.

Student union has been very supportive to DS and within days he had sat down with a counsellor who explained the ins and outs of academic suspension, and the implication partial attendance would have on funding which was all very helpful. The upshot of that was that he decided that he would not use one of his funded years to attend 25% of a year and to keep that up his sleeve just in case it doesn't all work out which was probably the right decision.

We also started the ball rolling with ADD medication and he has been on medication since about October and is feeling it makes a difference. He has been keeping up with his uni friends and being involved in his societies and has used the fact that he is not attending classes to get more involved in the organisation and planning which will be positive for the CV.

The most positive thing of all is that we have managed to find him an online tutor for the particular very niche topic he is struggling with. She is overseas but he has had 2 online lessons with her and feels that she is explaining in a way he understands better, and he will have weekly sessions from how until the exam. I am really hoping that will be enough to get him through.

I am also getting my head round the fact that if he does progress to his final year I am going to have to help a lot with the planning and scheduling of work and projects. I cannot help in any way at all with the actual subject matter but I can with the planning and creating a schedule - I did it myself for my own MSc a couple of years ago. He doesn't really like mum interfering but does recognise it's a necessary evil, and for his own good.

So, cautiously optimistic.

Hello OP - I was one of the responders back in the summer, then closed my account for a bit (so my name is subtly different!)

I just wanted to say that this is lovely news, and thank you for updating us!

It sounds as if he's doing really well, at a time when it would be so easy to slide away from it all. Of course, he's lucky to have you! But he sounds so tenacious, and 'keeping going' will see him through many tough times in life.

Hello and sorry for the delayed response. It is very kind of you to post an update and I am glad that things are looking more positive. It sounds like your DS is putting this year to good use and it will turn out for the best in the long run as he will be less overwhelmed in final year.

It is a really good idea to keep the additional funded year, just in case. The organisation and planning aspects of the societies will help as well I think with the dissertation planning when he gets to that stage, as that is more self-directed. My DD has a role on a society committee and it has helped build her confidence a lot, I think, as well as her leadership and organisational skills.

Another thing - if your son’s university has learning advisors (they may be called something else, but they teach study skills in general), it might be worth him having a one-to-one with them or seeing if there are any workshops or sessions for dissertation students focusing on generic planning and time management skills. Is he getting any support from disability advisors? I know there are also softwares which help with planning; I cannot remember off the top of my head the names of the ones I have heard mentioned. But your DS is not the only student to have these challenges so resources will exist.

Final update. HE ONLY WENT AND SMASHED THE EXAM WITH 65% PASS.

Just shows what a difference being properly medicated makes. His S African online tutor was superb, weekly sessions with her made a lot of difference too.

Bit worried about final year and project/dissertation but we’ll make it work.

massive thank you to everyone who offered wise words and support.

Well done that young man - and well done you!