The Student Room Group

Worried about situation with seminar leader

I'm a first year student studying English and I'm a bit worried about the situation with one of my seminar leaders. Basically I was really ill all last week. I think I had the flu as I totally lost my voice, felt sick, kept feeling hot and dizzy - just generally really unwell. I had no energy and just wanted to sleep all the time. I had a busy week regarding lectures and seminars so I tried my best to turn up and participate.

On tuesday I had a lecture followed by a seminar a few hours later. I went to the lecture but felt too ill to go to the seminar a few hours later. I felt so dizzy and sick that I decided it was best to just rest.

We were meant to be showing the first few pages of an essay to the seminar leader that day (which I'd finished a week before because I was really interested in the topic). I felt really bad about missing the seminar and emailed the seminar leader the same day explaining why I didnt turn up and asking to make an appointment so I could show her what I'd done in the essay.

This was Tuesday. Its now Sunday and she hasnt got back to me. I'm really worried that she doesnt believe I was ill and thought I was skiving because I hadnt done the work or something - which is really unfair as I actually finished the whole thing weeks ago. She doesnt really know me personally so this could well be what has happened.

I'm feeling really down about it. What should I do? Should I wait til the next seminar with her next Tuesday and talk to her in person? I'm so worried, please help!

Reply 1

roobyloo
I'm a first year student studying English and I'm a bit worried about the situation with one of my seminar leaders. Basically I was really ill all last week. I think I had the flu as I totally lost my voice, felt sick, kept feeling hot and dizzy - just generally really unwell. I had no energy and just wanted to sleep all the time. I had a busy week regarding lectures and seminars so I tried my best to turn up and participate.

On tuesday I had a lecture followed by a seminar a few hours later. I went to the lecture but felt too ill to go to the seminar a few hours later. I felt so dizzy and sick that I decided it was best to just rest.

We were meant to be showing the first few pages of an essay to the seminar leader that day (which I'd finished a week before because I was really interested in the topic). I felt really bad about missing the seminar and emailed the seminar leader the same day explaining why I didnt turn up and asking to make an appointment so I could show her what I'd done in the essay.

This was Tuesday. Its now Sunday and she hasnt got back to me. I'm really worried that she doesnt believe I was ill and thought I was skiving because I hadnt done the work or something - which is really unfair as I actually finished the whole thing weeks ago. She doesnt really know me personally so this could well be what has happened.

I'm feeling really down about it. What should I do? Should I wait til the next seminar with her next Tuesday and talk to her in person? I'm so worried, please help!

Don't panic. There are a number of possible explanations. For example, your seminar leader may not have checked her email until Tuesday evening or later and/or be in the habit of not prioritising stuff she gets via email (and you can't really expect her to get back to you on the weekend). She may simply be too busy - for example because she's looking through the other students' essay plans - to reply at the moment. I'd say if you haven't heard from her by Tuesday, then definitely talk to her to ask her whether she got your email and if necessary explain the whole thing again. I suppose it would have been easier if you had emailed her your essay plan along with the explanation of why you weren't there, but it's probably too late for that now...

Reply 2

Maybe. I didnt want to email the essay plan because other students told me later that she didnt actually take them in - she just looked over them and made suggestions in class.
I'm just worried she's angry with me. She must have at least seen the email, shes had about 5 days :frown:

Reply 3

I just think your overblowing this big time....relax...its not the end of the world

Reply 4

don't worry if you was ill you was ill end off. Mine are usually slow replying too, i emailed mine 2weeks ago as i have been on my work placement and he still ant got in touch, hayhoo just relax.

Reply 5

Academics are usually crap at replying to emails, I have sent countless emails to my PhD supervisor that have gone unreplied.