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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Damn. Uni exam falls right in the middle of my holiday!

277 replies

QuestionableMouse · 05/04/2019 05:59

Posting for traffic.

Uni exam date was released yesterday and it falls right in the middle of my holiday. Though technically it isn't a holiday as I'm away with the local youth group who I've been volunteering with!

I could just about drive back (distance/time wise) but it would mess the ratios up and I'm not sure if I can afford the extra petrol money. Also not sure if I'll have my own car with me. (Was meant to be driving down with all the food but it might be going in the minibus now)

I'm really not sure what to do. It's an important exam so I can't miss it but equally I can't just drop out of the trip because at this point there's no one to replace me. Going into uni today to speak to my lecturer but I'm panicking!

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Dumdedumdedum · 05/04/2019 07:45

I apologise for my own quite harsh response, OP, since you were posting here for traffic rather than with an actual "AIBU?" - though, in fact, I'm afraid you are being unreasonable! As a pp said, you sound overstretched. By no means go to your lecturer, you are going to have to drop the term-time holiday, or at least the part up to and including your exam, and it will be best to tell the group as soon as possible.
GCAcademic - hope she enjoyed the Regatta! Wink

dragoning · 05/04/2019 07:47

You have to drop out of the trip unfortunately. Do everything you can to find a replacement. You didn't know the date but there's nothing you can do about it now.

My DC had a trip cancelled this year because one of the leaders had exams. It was disappointing but the parents were very understanding. At the end of the day, prioritising your education is setting an excellent example to the kids. Nobody would expect you to do otherwise.

Bankofenglandfiver · 05/04/2019 07:49

TBF my D.C. has sat uni exams late (I think late, not sure, could have been early) due to sporting commitments but they have a sports scholarship at uni and uni have always been aware of their sporting commitments (they compete at a high level), so it is possible to get timetables moved, but it wouldn’t be moved for a youth group trip.

GCAcademic · 05/04/2019 07:53

That’s brilliant GCAcademic

GCAcademic - hope she enjoyed the Regatta! Wink

Unfortunately, the poor young lady didn't find us very cooperative.

I decided to refer her to the head of the exams office. Of course, I could have told her no myself, but this guy was notorious for his rude and sarcastic manner, and for not tolerating fools gladly. All the academics were terrified of him. And, of course, he had overseen the hugely complicated task of putting together the exams timetable. As expected, he tore strips off her. She decided she wouldn't go to Henley after all.

BringBackDoves · 05/04/2019 07:53

My mum and dad live abroad and it was a very special birthday. People flying in from different places to surprise my mum for a weekend - I booked flights months in advance, before I’d started the course, to save money.

When exam dates were released one fell on the Friday afternoon when I was flying out on the Friday morning. No chance of any other arrangements being made; it was my tough shit. I just decided to miss the exam and did the resit - don’t recall any limitation on marks but I do know I wouldn’t have been able to resist if I’d failed.

To be fair though this was a once in a lifetime trip and special family event - not sure I’d have missed an exam for any other reason.

Etino · 05/04/2019 07:54

Blimey, harsh responses!!
Talk to your lecturer and trip organiser, it’s hardly a jolly to magaluf clashing with a final. You’re volunteering and the exam is outside the published dates. Don’t even think the word holiday, let alone say it and hope you can retake. Flowers

EvaHarknessRose · 05/04/2019 07:55

Uni comes first

Etino · 05/04/2019 07:56

^ and don’t copy my brusque tone! Be incredibly cooperative and keen to find a resolution with the University.

HeronLanyon · 05/04/2019 07:59

Late release of exam dates is a nightmare and all to frequent. Sometimes for good reason but sometimes not !
I’m taking a post grad course. Have exam commitment bang in the middle of only window my dp and I can take a holiday. Recent bereavement means I am desperate for a break. Currently considering travelling back on own and then back to rejoin dp. Gonna have to suck it up I think.
If you defer you shouldn’t need to repay course fee (think op suggested this). There will be an admin fee. Sometimes you can only defer with permission and to get that there has to be a good reason/evidence etc.
Good luck with decision op. Currently I’d say your exam takes precedence over voluntary trip.

HeronLanyon · 05/04/2019 08:00

‘Pp’ not ‘op’ re suggestion of course fee

lillighters85 · 05/04/2019 08:02

People are so harsh. I'm in a similar situation. My exam this year is a week later than last years so I took a risk when I booked and its backfired. I'm going on holiday (in the UK) with family who are flying in from overseas and this is the only week that I can see them. Luckily, I'm at the OU so have been able to move to an exam centre nearer where were staying instead of my allocated one. Night be with checking if you can have it at a closer place, my father invigilates a lot and there are centres around the place that have the correct procedures etc, perhaps you could take it in one of those? I've taken exams in hotels abroad in the past, as has my husband.

PicaK · 05/04/2019 08:05

Have you any idea how long it takes to write an exam and the model answers?? Then it has to be checked by an external examiner and then approved in a meeting. Then printed etc etc. The summer ones were written weeks ago!!
They can't just scribble a new one off for you to sit later!!
So entitled.

OffToBedhampton · 05/04/2019 08:06

58 posts in 2 hours, all (bar odd outlier) saying same thing.
Uni Exams come first, everything else goes on hold or fits around them.

BookWitch · 05/04/2019 08:07

Is this Youth Organisation Guiding or Scouting? I have done many residential events with Guiding and no one is completely indispensable. You can be replaced. Speak to the organiser asap. This happens all the time with volunteers, actual life gets in the way.

I am interested in which Youth organisation puts on trips during term time? Don't these kids have school?

Charlieiscool · 05/04/2019 08:10

We would have allowed you to sit the re-sit as a first attempt (i.e. the mark wouldn’t be capped) but you then wouldn’t have a re-sit opportunity if you didn’t pass at first attempt. That’s the most you could be offered I think.

Goldmandra · 05/04/2019 08:13

As someone who is fighting for a uni to make reasonable adjustments for my daughter's disability and finding that the uni is quite determined to do everything in their power not to help in any way - this adjustment would be a lot less difficult for them than making special arrangements for you to take an exam - I would say you have no chance and I wouldn't even bother asking.

Just focus on finding someone else to volunteer in your place.

BringOnTheScience · 05/04/2019 08:14

I'm a Brownie leader. If you were one of my team I would totally understand that Uni exams come first. No question about it.

Support your leader to find a replacement to keep up the ratios.

(And Thank You for volunteering!)

havingtochangeusernameagain · 05/04/2019 08:16

I am interested in which Youth organisation puts on trips during term time? Don't these kids have school

Maybe it's in May half term.

crumpet · 05/04/2019 08:17

Don’t speak to the lecturer.

worstofbothworlds · 05/04/2019 08:19

Your lecturer will be the opposite of sympathetic. Don't bother them, just pull out of the holiday.

StrongerThanIThought76 · 05/04/2019 08:20

PP it might be that the trip is organised during school half term which may coincide with reading week or exam week at uni - though none of my reading weeks ever matched my brothers half terms!

OP your exam comes first. Commendable as it is that you're so committed to your volunteering - god knows we need more volunteers in all sectors - it could have massive consequences to your degree if you CHOOSE to miss this exam.

amusedbush · 05/04/2019 08:21

My work publishes the exam weeks over a year in advance but the actual timetable isn't finalised until five weeks before the exam diet starts. You wouldn't believe how many people try to beg/bribe me to tell them when their exams are so they can book flights, etc but all we can do is insist they are free for the full five weeks just in case.

We would not offer a discounted attempt in this situation. If you don't turn up to the exam, you get an "absent", the fail is recorded on your final transcript and you resit in August. I'd be surprised if any university would do it differently.

Bankofenglandfiver · 05/04/2019 08:22

Some timetables are a bit screwed up this year because Easter is so late.

BookWitch · 05/04/2019 08:23

Maybe it's in May half term.

Ah, that could be it!

Lovemusic33 · 05/04/2019 08:34

It’s not really a holiday is it? You said you would help out with a trip, now you can’t so simply pull out.