Can someone clued up on deferrals + extenuating circumstances help me?

[MyMauveBiscuit]

Hi there.

I’m a part time masters student who took a year interruption for maternity as I was very unwell. I completed year 2 with a small baby by working during naps but then had to defer my dissertation submission for a third year as my daughter struggled to get a nursery place so I could study and do deep work.

my dissertation is due mid September and I am about halfway done. Unfortunately haven’t been as motivated and have found parenting hard.

i have found out I’m pregnant again and it looks like it’s another HG pregnancy.

do I have any chance at getting the deadline pushed back to give me a bit more time or will admin argue I’ve had enough time already?

I did so well in my taught modules and I’m worried about submitting a literal binfire in between work and illness. My brain is just not functioning properly at the moment.

I know the best people to ask is admin but I’m so nervous and angry with myself at being poorly so just was hoping to use this as a sounding board.

Talk to your MA Course Director. If you explain pretty much what you’ve said here although maybe not the motivation bit, although tiredness, lack of sleep and the intensity of caring for a newborn might just explain that! Mention your childcare difficulties and also the medically difficult/risky pregnancy.

They may be concerned about you losing touch, so ask advice about that. But if you are motivated to finish, be clear about that and try to advocate for a sensible plan. Don’t over promise!

I’d always rather a student made a sensible estimate of time needed and finished, than think they needed to underestimate the pressures on them. You’re not just an irresponsible 18 year old who stays out too late and doesn’t do their work. Your tutors know the difference!

Hi, OP -

I am sorry for what you are going through.

I have sat on many Mitigating Circumstances panels. Previous Mit Circs applications should have no bearing on the on the outcome of future applications; each should be considered on its own merits.

Gently, your writing lacks clarity. Finding parenting difficult can mean many things. Some of the extreme ones may warrant Mitigation - you know evidence is required - but I suspect the bar is rather high. Not being motivated is rather different.

I would expect and hope HG to warrant Mitigation but am slightly unsure from your wording as to whether this is an established fact.

Your admin team are indeed the people to ask. If you can get medical evidence for the HG I suggest framing this as a health problem. (Being unmotivated is a natural consequence and your parenting is best kept out of it, unless it is to be brought into a petition, I think - though of course you can mention your DC). Sadly everyone understands that the same few people genuinely incur the bulk of the health problems. We see it at every panel

Best wishes

I had forgotten about your childcare problem, OP. Depending on the politics of your School I would tread carefully with that one. There ought to be sympathy. The reality is sometimes different. Can you check for uni resources?

Hi all

I would be doing a mitigation request on the basis of HG and asking for an extension of about 3 months

i was not going to put any of my other difficulties in it, just explaining to you all why I’m only halfway done as it stands and not ready to submit

without the HG I would be fine to finish at the September deadline but at the moment I’m bedbound and fearful for the next 8 or so weeks

Just a warning, some courses have a maximum completion time from start date so deferrals can't exceed that, might be worth checking that first.

I am sorry you are bed bound, OP, but presuming you are keeping in touch with your HCP this certainly seems to rise to the threshold for Mitigation with respect to the HG. I felt awkward bringing it up earlier, but sometimes the condition is mis-cited.

I agree that making the HG the focus of your appeal is the way to go. Best wishes

Of course @mitogoshi made an excellent point also so fingers crossed there