[Anonymous]

My depression has affected my grades to a big extent while I was an undergrad. As a result I graduated with a 2:2. Currenlty I'm a postgrad and I hope I can make up for that.The problem is that I want to apply in law firms, but I hardly think they will consider me.Do you think that unis/employers accept that as a legitimate explanation for underperforming as an undergrad?what are your experiences?

[Sabertooth]

I got a 2:2 too, and I'm currently doing a masters to try and make up for it as well so I know how you feel there man.

With employers I'd be cautious about telling them that you suffered from depression. Even if you're over it now it's not going to look good and it's sad but there's still a lot of stigma against mental illness in the world so whilst it's not nice to face up to, I think some people might discriminate against you if you disclose the reason for your 2:2. At least that's how I feel, hence why I'm trying to get a really good masters to cancel it out. I think this is especially true in areas like law because there's a hell of a lot of stress and if they think you can't handle it then they're not going to look favorably on you.

You also asked about whether unis will accept it, I think they will as it's a different kettle of fish to a law firm. Universities have always been very understanding in my experience.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Sabertooth)
I got a 2:2 too, and I'm currently doing a masters to try and make up for it as well so I know how you feel there man.

With employers I'd be cautious about telling them that you suffered from depression. Even if you're over it now it's not going to look good and it's sad but there's still a lot of stigma against mental illness in the world so whilst it's not nice to face up to, I think some people might discriminate against you if you disclose the reason for your 2:2. At least that's how I feel, hence why I'm trying to get a really good masters to cancel it out. I think this is especially true in areas like law because there's a hell of a lot of stress and if they think you can't handle it then they're not going to look favorably on you.

You also asked about whether unis will accept it, I think they will as it's a different kettle of fish to a law firm. Universities have always been very understanding in my experience.

I hope you do manage to cancel it out.I generally do not talk about my condition nor do I plan to, I was just wondering in case I really need to justify my grades in some occasion.At this point I'm much better, I wasn't treated back then.Thanks!

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by Anonymous)
My depression has affected my grades to a big extent while I was an undergrad. As a result I graduated with a 2:2. Currenlty I'm a postgrad and I hope I can make up for that.The problem is that I want to apply in law firms, but I hardly think they will consider me.Do you think that unis/employers accept that as a legitimate explanation for underperforming as an undergrad?what are your experiences?

As Saber said it's probably not a great idea to mention it to employers in advance. Also most grad schemes would probably just automatically filter you on the online application based on the 2:2 without taking account any reason.

Depression definitely affected my grades though, I could've so easily gotten a 1st if I'd been okay. As it was I only barely scraped by because of the subject and my experience. If I'd done something that required me to absorb a lot of information I'd have been completely screwed.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Exopaladin)
Depression definitely affected my grades though, I could've so easily gotten a 1st if I'd been okay. As it was I only barely scraped by because of the subject and my experience. If I'd done something that required me to absorb a lot of information I'd have been completely screwed.

I thought I was the only one. I suffer from depression and I thought I was just a complete idiot when I failed my modules. I got a First during my UG and I wasn't depressed at that time, but after some life struggles and a diagnosed of depression, I failed a lot of subjects during my PG =(

[Anonymous]

it's can be so difficult, having to deal with all the mental turmoil and on top of that underperforming :/

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by Anonymous)
it's can be so difficult, having to deal with all the mental turmoil and on top of that underperforming :/

Same here.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-S5830

[Anonymous]

it's difficult for people to understand.For years some people have thought I was lazy

[ilem]

I just finished the 1st year of my undergrad and while I managed to scrape a high 2.1, I feel I could've done much better if I wasn't strained by depression and anxiety. I have no motivation to study or do any additional reading around my subject and the only way I can force myself to write an essay or complete an assignment is to start doing it the night before the deadline, pulling an all-nighter. The anxiety also makes participation in seminar discussion and giving presentations an extremely challenging and daunting task.

[Mchouse]

big time ... i started uni having grades well into 80s and as my bipolar symptoms increased in severity i droped to 50s now i can barely get a 2:1.

[Anonymous]

did anybody had to ask for extenuating/mitigaing circumstances?

[Mchouse]

(Original post by Anonymous)
did anybody had to ask for extenuating/mitigaing circumstances?

yes a couple of times. they were very understanding as it was clear that there was a problem with me. all it was needed was a letter from the gp. i had to ask for mitigationg circumstances for my disertation and for that they also wanted a letter from a spacialist ie a p doc but it was just a formality. do not hesitate to ask for help and be open about your problem. once you get diagnosed your life well is not easier but can be fair.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Mchouse)
yes a couple of times. they were very understanding as it was clear that there was a problem with me. all it was needed was a letter from the gp. i had to ask for mitigationg circumstances for my disertation and for that they also wanted a letter from a spacialist ie a p doc but it was just a formality. do not hesitate to ask for help and be open about your problem. once you get diagnosed your life well is not easier but can be fair.

thank you!I have a doctor's letter that says I've been suffering from chronic anxiety and depression and that I'm on medication.I'm just concerned as it is not easy to verify that I was unable to submit one assignment.

[Sabertooth]

(Original post by Anonymous)
did anybody had to ask for extenuating/mitigaing circumstances?

I have quite a number of times. All my essays were due on the same date which made all the stress a lot worse, I applied for an extension on them so I could stagger them which really helped. I know I couldn't have got through university without the allowances they gave me. They just asked for a letter from my psychiatrist, that's all.

[Exopaladin]

(Original post by Anonymous)
did anybody had to ask for extenuating/mitigaing circumstances?

I applied for concession with exams since my revision had gone horribly due to depression. No idea if I actually got it or not though.

[Anonymous]

hello guys,

I just wanted to ask. I'm late with this assignment , it's been over 5 weeks but I seriously have not been feeling well. I have a doctor's note that confirms that I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Do you really think that if I talk to the head of my department may accept it?

[DZJX]

Yes depression has effected my grades, i dont really like to blame my failures on my depression but ultimately it has effected them, it just makes me so unmotivated and gives me a ''whats the point'' attitude. i generally leave all my essays to last minute, ie the night before. and do my revision last minute, in fact ive just realised that this time around i have been really depressed for the last 2 months and did little to no revision for my May exams, however in December i was actually feeling better and happier and i revised for the first time like two weeks before the exams in January. (and even got a first in one of them) so yeah i would definately say it has effected my grades. i havent asked for mitigation, basically because ive never told anyone about my depression, not a doctor or anything and i'm untreated - which i probably will be for the rest of my life i would be mortified if i had to talk about it.

[Joinedup]

(Original post by Anonymous)
hello guys,

I just wanted to ask. I'm late with this assignment , it's been over 5 weeks but I seriously have not been feeling well. I have a doctor's note that confirms that I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Do you really think that if I talk to the head of my department may accept it?

they can be pretty hard line about evidence being shown after the deadline ime... Not saying you shouldn't try btw.

Anyway fwiw, I was looking at some research that seemed to show depression could cost you 20% in the us university system. Didn't save a link. certainly I think it's affected me by about that amount at times, but it's not been constant.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Joinedup)
Anyway fwiw, I was looking at some research that seemed to show depression could cost you 20% in the us university system.

Why in the US Uni system?

[Anonymous]

(Original post by DZJX)
Yes depression has effected my grades, i dont really like to blame my failures on my depression but ultimately it has effected them, it just makes me so unmotivated and gives me a ''whats the point'' attitude. i generally leave all my essays to last minute, ie the night before. and do my revision last minute, in fact ive just realised that this time around i have been really depressed for the last 2 months and did little to no revision for my May exams, however in December i was actually feeling better and happier and i revised for the first time like two weeks before the exams in January. (and even got a first in one of them) so yeah i would definately say it has effected my grades. i havent asked for mitigation, basically because ive never told anyone about my depression, not a doctor or anything and i'm untreated - which i probably will be for the rest of my life i would be mortified if i had to talk about it.

I was just like you, I was untreated for most of my life. I know how difficult it is to say it, but trust me once you open up everything will get better.I strongly suggest that you seek for help, no matter how difficult it may seem.