Got my essay back- not great!

[PeachyPlumFairy]

I got a c+.

I was upset enough but it seems I am the lowest (though it's unlikely that anyone lower than me would admit it).

I keep being referred to as the non- academic one, or being oignored now in discussions.

I'm used to excelling so it has hit me hard anyway, but also I am the only parent of young kids, and at least one (possibly all in different ways- deafness, AS, no speech yet) has sn.

Am I making excuses, or should I give myself some slack? This has really hit my confidence and I seriously wish I could walk ATM. I already get enough flak for being the only non-Christian on the course (apparently I am not spiritual enough)

Hey hon- that's a pass right? A pass is fine. If you pass you've delivered the goods- anything else is gravy! And managing to pass when you've got young kids is brilliant. What course are you on? Who is referring to you as non-academic? They need to shutuppa their gobs. I'm surprised the facilitators don't jump on them for that. It's early days anyway- was this your first assignment?

The other students, especially this AS lad i've been trying to help who ended up with a perfect grade. Yes it was the first essay, and in a subject I've never studied before at degree level.

Not sure of any facillitators- haven't even been asigned a tutor yet to talk to. And because anythingb from D- is a pass, not sure they'd take me seriously if I went concerned!

In order to improve your grading you need to understand what you didn't do that would have got you a better grade. Ask the teacher to give you some time to go through the paper with you. Any teacher worth their salt would do this.

What course are you doing?
And can you read up ahead of the next class so you can make some good contributions that boost your confidence?

Hang on in there
Love Twirl x

All students wanting to improve should be taken seriously - that's what its all about!

And can you get some essay coaching - there is a definite way to write a good essay which you need to master.

Well, I'd take anything other students say with a massive pinch of salt, personally. There's no obligation to tell them your grade anyway. Hold your head high, PPF. 1st assignment in a new subject while looking after kids and you passed with flying colours. Well done you.

It was too brief, apparently. Yet I used up every word of the word count and the ohers went way over, which I was taught was a no-no. ??? Also an issue with structure, which I've never had a problem with before.

DH has given up a lot (including our own house) for me to do this. I have to find a way to do better. Last year I got perfect grades on my access and finished a 2 year course in a year so i just don't get what happened to my work?

I do get another one tomorrow, really nervous about that now

I'm doing (world) Religion and Philosophy with Psychology btw, am familiar with Psychology but not the religion bit.

For some reason, there seems to be this thing amongst the other students since day 1 that they want to be the only one invited back to do a Phd, really competitive. I want to do a PGCE at Bristol (because it's the only one within 50 miles offering it), so I guess I'd need a 2:1 (shortage subject)

HI!

I always get 'done' over structure, haven't had a problem with stringing an argument together before so think it must be my ability to handle the sheer amount of analysis required for (a good) degree level essay
Don't let it get you down - try to read as much as you can when researching your next essay and keep plugging on!
I think it's darned difficult too!

Good luck

Get some help with the structure!
A level essays are not the same as undergrad level essays, so if you can crack this early on it will really help

Do you really need a 2:1 to be a teacher though?
I thought a 2:2 would be fine?

I think I will go and see the people in the study zone for advice, thanks.

I will also keep reminding myself that the job the loudest one wants after this is the job I had before I came to college!.

I just never banked on Uni being so competitive. Had I known I might have taken a different course, or are they all like this?

I assume 2:1 because it is Bristol Uni and it's popular, they did offer me a place before though, on theology. Can't get to anywhere else that does it, and can't move the family every three years.

beginning to wish I took Early years or Sociology, as I know I enjoyed those before but didn't give me a career path

Oh PPF it could have been me writing this! I got my first film studies essay back yesterday and I was affronted. I got 49%. I think that is a D grade? Although 40 here is a 'pass'. Mine is a media and publishing studies course, and I picked film studies as an extra for the first term to gain extra credits..I drop it after the first year. I was so upset I sat in the toilets and cried
I then had a presentation to do with blood-shot eyes and a tear stained face!! I am the only mature student doing film studies, and feel really out of my depth. I also felt I worked damn hard on that essay whilst my 11month was up @ night with teething.. I also have a 4yr old.

I e-mailed the tutor expressing my concerns about my mark, as I have just finished a 2yr access course and always gained high grades... she said my construction was poor and I did not elaborate on good ideas.... so now I kinda know what to work on for my next one.

good luck

PPF and FFF2... sorry to hear you're disappointed with your grades. The first essay is always tough, and especially if you're coming into it as a mature student. Believe me, it does get better and easier. I have known so many exceptional students who have started off quite 'average' and have blossomed more and more as the course has gone on. You wouldn't expect your children to be reading Shakespeare in Reception, after all. See these essays as part of a learning curve.

PPF please ignore any comments from the other students - it sounds as if they are all out to outdo one another, and kind of resent the fact that you don't want to be part of their (silly, immature) little game. And if you're studying WORLD religions, don't see how being Christian can be a prerequisite.

IME students have generally needed a 2.1 to do a PGCE, but don't know if that's specific to my subject (languages). You have plenty of time to get there, anyway. And remember that most degree courses are weighted to give more of the final percentage of the mark to the courses that you do in the final year.

Please see my rant on the thread below called 'what do you think of this essay feedback' about going to see the tutor and pinning him/her down to give you some constructive advice. And next time, also see if you can show the tutor a plan before writing the final version. This will help with structure.

Oh, and please please don't be afraid (or embarrassed or whatever) to mention problems with your kids not sleeping or whatever it is and to ask for extensions of whatever you need. The system can look unbending, but it really isn't if you just ask for help. (The little 18-year-olds won't hesitate to ask for extra time to write the essay because they sprained their ankle falling out of a pub when pissed, believe you me!)

HTH. Good luck to both of you.

it's really early days, remember the percentages (ie loads and loads of students must get c's surely?)and anyway, half the others probably plagiarised massively
so cut yourself lots and lots of slack
when the younger child-free students are unable to do any work due to severe hangover and you have kept on working hard, your time to shine will come.
ask for lots of feedback and keep hassling til you get it. Also check out student services to see if anyone can offer more help on how to structure an academic essay in your field correctly.

Peachy plum - I know what you mean about competitive at Russel Group Unis - Warwick grads aren't considered to have passed by their departments if they get lower than 2:1
I'm doing Sociology and Social Policy and hoping to do a PGCE afterwards.

Well today I got my Osychology and OUTDID the others! I got a B+, and if I hadn't edited the paragraphs would have an A+!! So, I am changing my degree if this continues to a joint at the end of the year, and as none of my grades this year count to the final I have now convinced myself I can do it , the average BTW for the class was a D. I also got a CIT (communications) essay back, it was only pass or fail (It did say Very good essay though on the pass slip), but the only comments that were negative were very technical ones that I can easily rectify- such as italics for foreign words- and both essays commented on GOOD structure, so I think it may be this one subject that I need to adapt for rather than a fault of mine specifically, IYSWIM?

I think that next year will suit my style more- issue based rather than specifics, and I like writing argument type essays. So that may help too. I am dreading the next essay from this particular lecturer entiled 'What does Jesus mean to Christians' because the others are writing from a differing perspective, the one that suits my belief system most is typically a group presentation. Typical that, the others find Buddhism hard and I find it really, really easy.

PPF - will your tutor allow you to submit a draft before the hand-in date. If they are submitted early enough, I am happy to look at my students' drafts. Few of them do this, because they are not organised enough - I won't look at a draft within a week of a submission date - but it tends to be the more organised mature students who will take advantage of my very generous offer! FWIW, I really appreciate having mature students in the class who are actually interested in the subject, usually having made massive sacrifices to be there, rather than just wandering along to university after school because that's what all their mates were doing.

I did hand my esay in three weeks early (may have been part of the problem, I learned more afterwards) but no, he won't discuss it. We do however have two tutors in the study zone who will do meetings to discuss this sort of thing, and I have e-mailed for an appointment.

Totally agree with Libra about mature students. We are not allowed to look at drafts of the whole essay, but we can comment on a plan or answer specific questions. No problem with doing the work early, PPF, but just hold onto it on your computer till the deadline and don't hand it in. Then you can work in any bits of info that you pick up later that might be relevant. Good luck. And well done in the other essay!

I'm an English lecturer PPF, and teach essay writing.
Doing early is an excellent idea - if you leave it for a bit and then come back and proofread/edit it. The little break from it and the distance can help you gain a 'view' of your essay and pick up on things you hadn't noticed before.
As long as it doesn't contravene your academic code of conduct (own work etc. etc.), I am happy to be CATted for advice.
I sincerely hope it's not a tutor calling you non-academic