Help me believe this is possible and how long is my extension???

[OhMissJones]

I am studying for an OU degree. I have a TMA to do which should have been in last week but I emailed my tutor to ask for an extension as I was ill at the beginning of the week. He replied in the affirmative but with no date .
I intended to submit today but from Wednesday my toddler was ill, then my partner was ill over the weekend so I could only work while LO was in bed.
How long will my extension be? And please encourage me that I can get my essay done - 1200 words so not massive but still takes time. I am single handed with LO today and at work 8-5 rest of week so an all-nighter isn't possible...:(

ps I am going to email my tutor about the extension, I'm not a total ninny, but just wondered how long they "usually" are! I'm thinking a week absolute tops.

On my distance MA course (not OU) it was a week unless I asked for longer - which they would do if you needed it. Can you ring their department office? Sounds like the tutor forgot to tell you how long it was (helpfully) and you could do with knowing really!

It's down to the individual tutor, he will be marking it so it's his choice how late he'll take it. I think he should be fine about it as I have always submitted on time before, he knows I'm not extracting the wee.

Can I ask how you found your distance MA? Was it well organised? My DP is doing one and it's a shambles (not OU)!

Doh! Sorry, I didn't read the second bit, but prob quicker to ring anyway. I reckon with a good initial structure you could do the 1200 and do a good one, but sounds like you've been up against it lately and could do with a bit longer..

My marks have been high enough this module that I can afford to submit a bit of a crap effort, a shame though as I have enjoyed this one the most. It's also shown me that I won't be able to get away with overlapping my next two modules as I'd hoped, I don't have much wriggle room to get round unexpected time constraints. Bah! Why didn't I start this before I had kids???

xpost - that sounds good then, so long as you're both on the same date

Found my MA by talking to people who already worked in the area, they rated it and the Uni had made a bit effort to keep the quality the same as for the usual MA. No guarantee of it staying good, but generally it was very together and it was me who was disorganised! Where is your OH studying from?

My tutor gives one to two weeks. Two weeks is the maximum he can give. Not sure what they give as standard if not specified though, best to ask.

Of course you can get the essay done. My last two were that length. I wrote one the other night after the kids went to bed. Took me about 2-2 1/2 hours start to finish. I did the one before in one evening too. Totally doable

During my last degree I used to do 3000 word essays in a few hours but I was young and had fags and caffeine to help :) I am pg and very sleepy these days!

It's a Scottish uni brabbins, he thinks he might be the only distance student hence they keep "forgetting" about him needing different arrangements...the librarians are very helpful and keep writing to his tutors telling them off!

I know that feeling! No kids here but ill elderly parents/me instead, and work. Last essay before dissertation got a rubbish mark, knew it was crap when I handed it in, I'd also been ill and busy as hell - they were good with extensions but really the whole essay was a bit flawed. Was my favourite too! Just handed in my dissertation the other day, praying it's good to counteract the essay.. The tutor told me to check it by setting the conclusion and then checking back to see that the rest of the essay supported it properly, which I did. so I'll blame her if it's still rubbish :)

Worth doing though. Sounds like you're in a strong position if your average is high, sure they will be fine wiht you extending..

Wish I'd known Dalrymps before writing that last essay :)
I reckon he'll have to harass the department regularly (with the help of the librarians) - annoying but if he comes out with a good mark etc, it will look good on the CV too..