DS and special circumstances request at Uni

[Eleanor02]

DS is finishing off his last year at university. His dissertation is due to be submitted tomorrow. However, he may not finish it on time. His progress was slowed down by a bout of tonsillitis a couple of weeks ago. (He saw the GP at the time, had the diagnosis confirmed and was prescribed penicillin because the infection was quite severe.) He was determined to carry on with this dissertation without asking for extra time, so said nothing about to the university authorities. Now he realises that it simply won't be ready by tomorrow and wishes he'd spoken up before as he's been feeling under par for about a month.

He could get a GP's letter by tomorrow to the uni and complete an extenuating circs form. But he's worried that this will be seen as suspiciously late by his department who'll make the decision. Does anyone (or anyone's DCs) have experience of a very late request for an extension. He won't need long though he does have a couple of exams soon.

Thanks!

Can I just add to that that if a dissertation supervisor/personal tutor or anyone else supposed to be supporting a student is genuinely not being helpful, then students can raise this with their dept.

Every dept I have ever worked in has systems to sort out these issues. But nothing will ever happen at university unless students say they have a problem.

Every dept I have ever worked in has systems to sort out these issues. But nothing will ever happen at university unless students say they have a problem

And most academics (those I've worked with anyway) are compassionate & will understand a genuine case of difficulty and try to help. But we are not mind readers, and we have many responsibilities so can't micromanage students. We can only help if they come to us.

When I taught in the US, I was at a small college where there was an ethos of pastoral care, and only 3000 students or so. But even then students got into difficulties that they told us about too late. That was some time ago, although I've just had official news of a fellowship which takes me back to the US, so I'll see if that practice has changed.

Congrats on the fellowship Upthe

OP I discovered this thread last night, which has some interesting theories.

Thank you! Sorry to go offtopic. It means a lot of travelling-I'm going to have to wean myself off MN. No more stern advice!

Congratulations UptheChimney, and don't worry, I'm happy to dole out stern advice in your absence