Advice on repeating second year at university

[tryingtohelphim]

I"ve namechanged for this because it feels sensitive and it's not about me.

My child is just coming to the end of their second year at university. It hasn't gone well academically. It's assessed module by module and they've not handed in assessments (I think 2, relating to the first term) and is late on others.

Long story short, they think they can pass the year, but really want to reboot their whole year and repeat year 2 in order to address the fundamental issues that have inhibited their performance. They really need a 2:1 and it will be hard to get that from this basis (I think - the story is coming out in tiny bits). It would be difficult to show mitigating circumstances (bereavement, family illness, some similar crisis) although persistent and ongoing anxiety and stress about not fitting in with the other students on the course, not doing well enough, doing poorly is a factor.

Received a diagnosis of dysgraphia with additional 'executive function' problems during sixth form, and was able to use a laptop in class and exams, and have 20 minutes extra in exams. This was relayed to the university at the outset of year 1, but I don't think it has landed anywhere - there was no request for a further assessment, or any provision under DSA.

Can anyone offer an inside perspective on what to do? The problem seems to be amplified by the fact that the student has stuck their head in the sand, tried to avoid dealing with it, alternating with struggling on and returning to classes, but from a weakened position. So - despite encouragement from us, his parents - to use the support systems available, they have only just approached the student support service. They have their first F2F appointment with this service in just under 2 weeks.

Please don't weigh in with brisk admonitions to crack on and soak up the consequences. I don't think punishment for not being adequately prepared for university life and wanting to try again to put it right is warranted.

Student doesn't want, at this point, any direct contact between us and the university, so even though I think it would be sensible for us to have permission for direct contact, I can't see it happening.

thanks for the ongoing interest. Yes, he navigated his way through the various hoops, sought advice from various sources at the university (academic and welfare) and has just re-started his second year (well, three weeks in) and is in a much better place. He spent the summer working and paying off his overdraft, we all had a good family holiday together at the end and he's pacing himself much better. He's fixed up regular appointments with his academic tutor, the counselling service and is planning his time and his work much better. I think he's generally less in a state of panic and shame about it all, and we (his dad and I) are much more primed to be vigilant, without hovering excessively.

So we'll see! He's got two modules to submit this term, he knows his deadlines and seems in much better, happier shape all round.

To those who sniped 'Just lower your expectations', do kindly sod off. People face challenges throughout their lives, in all areas. Working out how to tackle them is pretty fundamental to surviving and thriving, and not to have a go at problem-solving is pretty pathetic, quite honestly.

Has he applied for DSA this time? If he has a full formal diagnosis he will get assistive technology and a study skills tutor. If he only had a screening at college then the university might subsidise or pay for a full assessment.

I will flag that with him, but as I said, he did apply before, based on his EP assessment in sixth form, and nothing came of it.

Generally with dsa the student has to contact the uni support team and arrange a needs assessment which may be with an external provider. The team may make initial contact but not chase the student, might your ds have missed this?

If he applied then he will have had an email saying if DSA accepted his evidence. If he thinks nothing came of it despite having a full EP report, he probably just missed the email inviting him for a Needs Assessment.

Students don't have to contact the university to apply for DSA unless they are part time, postgrad or have no student finance. Most undergrads just apply through their student finance account.

No I realise that, but it is not enough just to apply via SF, the implementation of any support is between the student and the uni.

This is really helpful and kind to explain this - I will find out from him. It is more than probable that he missed emails, especially at the outset of his first year.

And this is a reason, one among many, that parents can't just (as per MN world) cheerfully send their offspring on their way once 'they are adults'! 18 just means you have crossed a legal threshold, not necessarily a cognitive one!