Posted in Ed but need responses by the am I'm going to send this to my college lecturer will he be sympathetic or just think Im pathetic???

[dappledownfarmnamechanger]

Dear lecturer,

I am getting quite over -whelmed for these reasons,

I work all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Friday all day, I also work Wednesday mornings until 12, when I am in college for the rest of the afternoon and Tuesday evenings.

When we (teachers) were on the school placement, on top of a full week at the school, I had to fit my working hours in to the week by working evenings and all through the weekend, I am finding that, because I now have not had one free day since the start of this term, I am starting to struggle, there is no way I can take time off work because I wouldn't be able to afford it.

During half term I have to continue to work full-time. As a result of the unrelenting pressure, this term, I have started to feel quite run-down and ill.

Would it be possible to spend tomorrow morning and Wednesday afternoon's lesson, productively catching up and getting things in order, or would I do myself a dis-service if I don't come in?

Sorry to land this garbled message on you but as I hope you appreciate, I'd rather speak up when things are starting to get on top of me rather than wait until further down the track.

Regards,
Dappledownfarmnamechanger

He will be sympathetic. You are taking charge of your learning and finding solutions to your problems.

He may not allow so much time in a row off but there may be a possible compromise.

Thank you for that

He won't think you're pathetic at all. In my experience, any lecturer worth their salt would rather you flagged up any problems so they can be dealt with before they spiral. Also, you won't be the first or last student or trainee to need help, or go through s difficult period. It might be worth adding in that you are happy to meet up/talk on phone if he has any alternative suggestions about the best way to manage the situation?

Good Luck! Have walked in your shoes and I know how rotten it feels to be behind on coursework, and also to be so exhausted you genuinely can't function (albeit with OU, so easier to defer study).

Here, have a nice and try not to worry.

Thanks Cloudbase it's hard to sit here and beleive that one day I'll actually be qualified! I appreciate you comment a lot.

I have shortened it...
is this better?

Dear lecturer,
I am getting quite over whelmed, with working full time along with college, I now have not had one free day since the start of this term, I am starting to struggle.
As a result of the pressure, this term, I have started to get quite run-down.

Would it be possible to spend tomorrow morning and Wednesday afternoon's Core lesson, productively catching up and getting things in order, or would I do myself a dis-service if I don't come in?

As I hope you appreciate, I'd rather speak up when things are starting to get on top of me rather than wait until further down the track.

Sounds great - much better to flag things up while there's still time to sort them out, and they should appreciate your honesty. Let us know how you get on - will keep my fingers crossed for a good solution from the college and some rest and a break for you. And fwiw, I think studying a demanding and difficult course plus holding down a demanding job speaks volumes about your strength of character - hopefully they'll see that too

Yaye! thanks for lifting the cloud of gloom that's been hanging over my desk this eve/morning, Ill be sure to tell you how it goes

A little over complicated maybe, how about something along the lines of this. Your lecturer will not think you wrong to ask and you are clearly stating you would like advice. Good luck OP, you're half way through the year

Dear Lecturer,
I work 5 1/2 days a week and currently attend college for a further x afternoons/evening (I can't work this out from your post). Due to the pressure of the need for me to work, college work and my recent school placements (during which I also had to attend work) I am now finding it difficult to keep on top of my college work. The pressure has been making me ill and I would like to take time to deal with this now before it all becomes too much to manage.

As part of my wanting to manage this, would it be possible to spend tomorrow morning and Wednesday afternoon's lessons, productively catching up and getting things in order? I would be grateful for your advice.

I hope this would be acceptable and apologise in advance if this is not appropriate but I'd rather speak up when things are starting to get on top of me rather than wait until further down the track.

Regards,
Dappledownfarmnamechanger

Are you doing a PGCE dappledownfarm? Doing a PGCE is one of the hardest things ever without having to work to earn money as well.

oops cross posted. Yes your V2 is the way to go!

Thanks for the refined version, Heleninahandcart I appreciate that

fiendishlie no Im doing an access course- still blindingly stressful though, I haven't been out socially for ages will all be worth it in the end thanks

Your version is much more concise, so do go with that! You can always store mine up for another time

hope I won't need to but always good to have a back up thank you

I think you've got it the wrong way round.

You should state what you want first and then explain why.

But to a certain degree his hands will be tied. He might not be able to "grant permission".

Also, won't you miss some work/learning by not going in? I know this will sound cruel but managing your workload is your responsibility - it does sound like you have taken too much on. I couldn't do that level of input week in and week out.

Can you review and reducein any way?

I don't think it's his problem you haven't had a day off is it?
Can't you just email you're feeling run down & not coming in

How are you going to catch up with what you'll miss from those classes? Won't it just be adding to the problem?

Does your college not have a hardship fund? Have you taken your full student loan allowance? I think if you want to get through your course, skipping class is not going to do you any favours. I think you need to talk to the student finance office about ways to fill the shortfall if you cut your working hours. A couple of days off is not going to make up for trying to do a full time course and a full time job.

Its the last week before half term all our work has been set, so its just a case of going in and asking questions about the work etc.
I've sent it now anyway.
I know it's my responsibility to manage my time but if I start telling my boss I want less hours she gets really shirty with me and I don't want to risk losing my (well paid job)
Thanks for your help

I think it is sensible to ask. Even if he can't say yes, it's important he knows what is going on. If he does come back with an unhelpful response, it might be worth going to your pastoral tutor or to the student support/welfare rep (whatever they're called).

I teach, and I would not be allowed to tell students they could miss a lesson (though to be honest I would understand if one did in these circumstances). But I would be really glad to know what was going on so I could talk to the Head of Dept. and the welfare officers on that student's behalf. It does seem as if you are doing a heroic amount of work and I hope they can sort you out.

It may work better if you go and talk to him instead of emailing as they may be able to suggest some other ideas of how to help or refer you to the college student advisors.

An email saying how busy you've been doesn't give an opportunity for proper support and won't fix the problem.

Here: is literally the entirety of his reply...........

Okay, but you do need to sit the exam

(there's like a mini test as part of the assignment (called examination skills)
where we have to gather revision methods, evaluate them then sit a token short exam, to help us evaluate, whether our chosen revision methods were effective or not.
So we're not being graded on the exam more our ability to put a revision proggramme in place for our selves.

So today is a study day.

Hi OP I am a lecturer and don't think you're being unreasonable but I'd say it would depend on what you are missing.

I lecture in English and although I think it's really not ideal when my students miss, they can often do work outside class to make up (e.g. secondary reading). However, I know that for some courses, e.g. medicine, there is certain stuff that simply can't be missed. I remember when DSis did her PGCE there were sessions that she had to attend in order to get the qualification.

Do you know what you are missing? Be prepared for your lecturer to come back and say, 'This week's work is essential'. But if you are prepared for a no, then, no, YANBU.

xpost!!