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AIBU?

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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:
CustardCreamLover · 05/04/2019 11:35

I had my baby 5 weeks prematurely and missed a single seminar which took me over the 2 absence limit. I still have to take part in a seminar before the end of my course in September!! I'm pretty sure going on holiday won't get you out of taking the exam when you are supposed to!!

doIreallyneedto · 05/04/2019 11:36

@RottnestFerry - Exactly it doesn't take long to say or type "No".

Except when you have hundreds of students and multiple modules, and you are getting similar "queries" from multiple students they, yes, it can take quite a bit of time.

You wouldn't believe some of the queries we get. Then your response isn't satisfactory so you get another question and they push and push.

I generally respond to queries but I have colleagues who would simply delete an email like that as it is nothing to do with them, they can't do anything about it and the student should have enough cop on to know that.

Lweji · 05/04/2019 11:37

The exam always comes first.

As for the trip, you/they should have had a replacement backup from the start. What if you got ill or had an accident, even without the exam?

Tell them and work together to find a solution. Worst case, they could find the money to pay someone to go.

Fairenuff · 05/04/2019 11:41

Presumably any replacement would have to be dbs checked so would have to be someone from the same organisation.

The obvious answer is to drive there and back. That way you can do both.

DirtyDennis · 05/04/2019 11:41

@Pengrin

One is asking for an extension, the other is querying alternatives to sitting an exam on the date set. And as I have explained, the alternatives differ between courses

One is asking for a last-minute extension, outside of working hours, following up with a demanding email despite the fact they've not attended any classes since January.

One is asking whether she can sit the exam on a different date because she booked a holiday during term-time.

Both read as poorly-organised, disengaged, and entitled.

Lweji · 05/04/2019 11:43

One is asking for a last-minute extension

That's quite reasonable. I've had a couple of students tell me that they would submit later. How I laughed.

DirtyDennis · 05/04/2019 11:43

@Pengrin Plus, the OP has said that she's not asking for the date to be changed so my point is still... what does she expect from the tutor?

I know the rules differ at different universities but if the OP is going to see her tutor, she should go in ready to apologise or fucking up her timetable.

SilverySurfer · 05/04/2019 11:44

It's not rocket science is it? You have to choose between sitting an exam which presumably is required for an eventual career which impacts on the rest of your life or a volunteering holiday. Don't talk to your tutor, they can do nothing - cancel the holiday.

DirtyDennis · 05/04/2019 11:45

@Lweji I don't really agree that a last minute extension is particularly reasonable apart from in really extreme circumstances. But, that's kind of moot and down to personal opinion.

Either way, emailing your tutor for a last minute extension on a Saturday night then following it up a few hours later with a question "why haven't you responded yet?" is never ever ever reasonable.

LIZS · 05/04/2019 11:46

They only need to find cover until the day of exam. You could go down after it and swap. It was always a risk that this trip would clash, did you forewarn the organiser?

Pengrin · 05/04/2019 11:46

Alternatives?

She’d feel pretty silly if she cancelled her place on the trip to later find out she could have sat the exam on a different date.

KooMoo · 05/04/2019 11:46

I thought the whole point of university was to teach you to think for yourself and become solution focused Grin

RottnestFerry · 05/04/2019 11:46

Except when you have hundreds of students and multiple modules, and you are getting similar "queries" from multiple students they, yes, it can take quite a bit of time

I do have multiple modules and hundreds of students. I get about one daft request every two years.

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 05/04/2019 11:46

Sorry for the short responses so far. I've had my hands full with a toddler and baby this morning.

There are no exam dates for the second year from last year because it is a brand new course. We were advised that the date was firm and very unlikely to change but there are three dates, two of which I'd be available for (one is for students who need extra time/support and one for part time students.)

All I was going to ask was if I could sit mine on one of the other dates. I'd never expect anything but figure a simple, respectful question can't hurt. When the trip was booked, the module was assessed by assignment only so its not like I deliberately agreed knowing I could have an exam.

OP posts:
Lweji · 05/04/2019 11:48

The only thing is that if the date is earlier than advertised to students, there may be several complaints.

If you do speak to anyone, point this out, rather than mention any holidays.

DirtyDennis · 05/04/2019 11:48

@Pengrin
As others have said, it's quite unlikely she'd be able to sit the exam on a different date.

She should check the Teaching and Learning Handbook about exam regulations to see if she can find this out herself

If she does still go to the tutor, she needs to go and say she's fucked up and is sorry rather than "this exams falls right in the middle of my holiday"

GCAcademic · 05/04/2019 11:48

All I was going to ask was if I could sit mine on one of the other dates. I'd never expect anything but figure a simple, respectful question can't hurt. When the trip was booked, the module was assessed by assignment only so its not like I deliberately agreed knowing I could have an exam.

It would have been helpful if you’d mentioned this, and the other exam dates, in your original post.

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 05/04/2019 11:50

Also I've never asked for any sort of extension. If anything I'm usually one of the first students to hand my assignments in!

I've also emailed the youth group and advised them of the situation but haven't heard back yet. I also have a lead on a uni friend who might be able to step in. I'm exploring all options at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 05/04/2019 11:51

@GCAcademic

I know. I was in panic mode when I first posted then had my hands full so didn't get chance to post until now.

OP posts:
doIreallyneedto · 05/04/2019 11:52

@RottnestFerry - I do have multiple modules and hundreds of students. I get about one daft request every two years.

Really? You obviously have much more self-sufficient students than I do! I do know that colleagues in other departments get a lot less than we do.

Pengrin · 05/04/2019 11:52

Good luck, OP.

RottnestFerry · 05/04/2019 11:52

When the trip was booked, the module was assessed by assignment only so its not like I deliberately agreed knowing I could have an exam

That is a bit weird. Changing assessment criteria mid module is not usually possible.

Dungeondragon15 · 05/04/2019 11:54

It would have been helpful if you’d mentioned this, and the other exam dates, in your original post.

Yes, it was a bit of a pointless OP considering that it didn't mention the most relevant point. It is not at all usual for there to be three different exams sittings for obvious reasons.

Lweji · 05/04/2019 11:54

Drip feeding much? Hmm

Not sure they can change assessment like that mid year. I imagine there will be quite a few unhappy students.

OTOH, it's not clear if there was any information to students or not. If it's the first year, what was the information on dates based on?
And if it was indicative only, why did you trust it as gospel to the point of booking a trip with not back up?

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 05/04/2019 11:56

It's a brand new course and stuff does keep getting changed. Not entirely sure of the reasons but something to do with the boards asking for the change.

OP posts: