Excluded for my uni course again.

[Toyabru]

Hi there...
I’ve had sleepless night, lost my appetite and very stressed and upset at the moment. I have socially isolated myself from everyone every since, and accepted failure for my actions. I need your help.

I’m disappointed in my efforts I have made towards the end of my 1st trimester this year. I’m currently studying bachelor of education and am in my 3rd year. Last year I received a letter to be excluded for my course. Due to failing a first year unit twice. I saw a student advocate to help me with the situation and what lead me to failure. The university board committee looked into my show cause and have given me a chance. The result was to restrict me in my studies from full-time to part-time study. I then enrolled into two units for trimester 1 & 2 this year. However, I had to pass both units in order to continue my course.

As mentioned in my show cause I had to change my current full time job to part time and work less hours. Which I did. I cut back work during my first half of my studies, and prioritised uni. I was low in iron and very fatigue which I bounced back feeling better from the beginning of this year. But due to an unstable financial problem, the stress and pressure to work for my family became an issue. I had trouble managing my time efficiently, which effected my academic progress towards the end of my trimester. I submitted my assignments late. And was not allowed a result as it was more than 5 days late (I thought that 5% was deducted every day,was not aware that after 5 days it will not be marked. I checked this after I received the result of my assignment). From knowing this, I then knew that I have 100% failed my units. I am awaiting for the offical letter. But I’m very worried and anxious.

I’m the first family member to have had the opportunity to study at university. English is my second language. And I have hidden this situation from my parents as they have a lot on their plate and don’t understand English well. They are strict. I promised them I will graduate and I know if they found out I will be kicked out of the house. I wish I could go back in time and motivate myself and found help earlier. I was scared and lacked confident.

But the past is the past and I have learnt from my failure and mistakes to improve myself. But will my university give me another chance? I don’t want to be excluded and be force to take a gap year. I want to make my family proud not to be a failure. Is this the end of my life ? 😞

[quirkywords]

Hello Toyabru,

Welcome to the forum. This is a very supportive and caring place.

You have had a very difficult time studying under pressure.

You mention a student advocate, can you talk to that person again or a counsellor a doctor.

Have you seen a doctor or a counsellor or told anyone of how you were struggling.

I would try to see as many people as I could to help you as they do make exemptions for people who are sick.

Is there a student union or welfare officer you could see.

I just kept withdrawing from units when I was at uni, and I failed as well. this was many decades ago.

You are trying hard and have done well to get this far. Please seek help . I hope some of my suggestions help.

Quirky

[Vero]

Hi Toyabru,

Warm welcome to the forum. Trust you will find it helpful.

Lets try to deconstruct the scene.

Congratulations on enrolling to uni and getting to 3rd year. Your family does not have a tradition of higher education so they may not have any understanding how much energy and efforts go into it. They may be proud of you and may put you on a pedestal. Conversely they may wish you fail. Either way getting higher education was your idea, your motivation and ambition. I congratulate you on this. The bottom line, it is very likely your family love you for you, whather you have a degree, almost have a degree or not have a degree.

Anxiety

Going to GP and asking to see psych (I think it is called mental health plan - get you 10 appointments free) may provide you with a medical assistance to deal with anxiety but also medical certificate for uni. If you had a medical certificate you could have deferred submission of an essay. Retrospective medical certificate maybe difficult to secure (depending on circumstances) but it is not impossible. Also feeling tired may suggest low iron and B12. Both would decrease your motivation and have impact on your concentration and memory. You may like to ask for simple blood tests to check.

Uni

The completed units are yours. These are not going anywhere. The issue appears to be with the latest 2 units and an early one. Discussing (preferbly in person) your situation with all key personnel at uni maybe of benefit to you: Lecturers, Head of Department, etc. You may need to hurry with those as the semester is over and examination period is practically over too. Discussing your option with them may open up opportunities you are not aware of. Uni wants you to pass and complete the course if possible.

If this does not bring the desired results, how about enrolling to course that is very close to what you have done and applying for RPL. This may require you to study another semester or so but you would secure BA.

Other possibilities could be to check where you are standing at if you were to transfer to another university (worth shopping around) and study the same or similar degree either on campus or online. You could also study part time. Some degrees offer diploma for completed parts of degree. Worth checking all of your options with someone at the university - career chancellor, lecturer...?

We all trip over at times, it is ok. This makes us humble and compassionate towards others.

Let us know hoe you going. Take care