Leaving a course with only 8 weeks to go

[TeslaGirls]

DD1 is coming to the end of her 2nd year Foundation Degree, having already decided not to immediately go on to do the top up year.

However, she is really struggling with getting her work done to a standard she is happy with, and the stress of it is having a severe impact on her health - she has Autism and Epilepsy, her seizures have really ramped up to the point where her neurologist considers it not safe for her to try and finish off the last few weeks.

Her grades so far are on track for the equivalent of a first, so I am wondering what would happen if she simply didn't submit her last 5 assignments? Would she fail the entire course, or would she still come out with something? It's not a decision we are taking lightly, especially this close to the finish, but she cannot continue having the amount of seizures she is having at the moment due to stress.

I will check with her university, who have been really supportive, but typically it is now the Easter holidays so cant ask at the moment.

When I worked for a Uni, we only had Good Friday & the bank hol off (Easter). There should be someone you can ring to ask on Monday.

It depends on the course and their assessment guidelines. They'll usually be available somewhere online. They may allow her to bank her current courseworks and do the last five next year. It's unlikely they'll be able to make an award with such a chunk of work missing, but still worth checking.

Is it possible to get an extension over the summer, or could she aim to complete a few this term and carry the others over?

I know how stressful this time of year can be. I'm on my third degree and still don't cope well with what feels like a massive increase in workload (also disabled).

Email her tutor and course leader. I'm sure they'll still be checking in.

I would suggest she speaks to the university and applies for extenuating circumstances for those last pieces of work. This will give her an extension and also protect her marks (she will get the full mark range rather than capped at 40 should she be well enough to do them at a later date). She will be credited for any modules she has completed which she could use should she want to finish a second year later. she could use them as evidence of prior learning.
It would be worth trying to speak to someone on Monday - Universities/FE Colleges don't tend to close completely for Easter unlike Secondary Schools. Also get a medical note in place.

As this is health related and evidenceable (I may have just made a word up but hopefully you know what I mean), I think she could apply for an extension due to extenuating circumstances.

Thanks all

The issue with an extension is that it just prolongs things, as in she'll still be as stressed (and therefore having multiple seizures) 6 month down the line. Uni had already offered an extension up until the August board, but the longer it goes on the worse she is getting. She had her meds increased as a consequence, but that almost made her catatonic and unable to get to uni anyway, so she worked from home for weeks - literally 30 mins a day.

I'll contact uni on Monday to see if there's anyone there. Actually, her course is at a partner college - would I be better speaking to the university the coursevis ran through?

Did you manage to speak to someone at the Uni? There are some assignments that are mandatory, and some that don't always necessarily impact overall marks. If your DD can get an extension, she may be able to get some help/support through the Uni too, who can perhaps help with a study plan or work plan to make the assignments less daunting and so reduce the stress and anxiety?

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