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Tutor threatened to withdraw reference?

So I'm currently studying a level 3 college course in graphic design, on top of this I have another level 3 in Film and TV. I've recently firmly accepted an unconditional offer from my first choice university and I'm currently sorting out finance and accomodation etc. However, things at home are a massive problem at the moment as I may be facing homelessness along with other financial and family issues. I told this to my current course tutor and explained how I can no longer cope with continuing my college course and that I felt the best thing to do was to find a full time job to provide me with some sort of stability up until I leave for uni in September. I figured this wouldn't affect my place at uni as I have decent qualifications and already recieved an unconditional offer, surely meaning my course now isn't essential. After explaining all this to me tutor he proceeded to tell me that if I try to leave the course, he'll contact my university, tell them to not take me and withdraw his reference. Can he do this? Because I now feel completely stuck and somewhat blackmailed into staying on a course I don't need and can't emotionally/financially cope with right now.

Reply 1

IfOnlyItWereEasy

Firstly, I'm sorry about your current situation and hope it improves soon!

Though I would highly recommend contacting the university before you make any rash decisions. Even though your offer is 'unconditional' they made it on the basis that you will have put down on your application that you are doing the current course. It may be that it won't bother them, but you shouldn't put your university place at risk by not checking!