The Student Room Group

Very sick BEFORE the exam --- extenuating circumstances?

I have been very sick with a chest infection and debilitating headache for 1.5 weeks and I'd expect it to last until this weekend after the GP finally budged and gave me antibiotics. It was so serious that I was nearly bedridden --- some days I were be too dizzy to stand up from the bed, some days my eyes were literally oozing out pus and I couldn't even read, some days I cough out greenish phlegm and blow my nose every ten seconds, and throughout the entire period too confused and sick to actually learn or remember anything, I could not revise for my exams at all. My 1st exam however is 2 weeks away, which means I'd be recovered a week before it starts.

We're given a term break of around a month to revise. I have 4 subjects lined up one after the other, each needing a week of revision, plus quite an important report. As I have lost 2 weeks during this break, this severely affected my revision schedule. My report is due on the same week as the exam and it needs at least 3 days of work, which means i need at least 2 weeks to submit both the report and the exam, and now i only have a week left.

Is there any chance the university would accept my EC request and defer my 1st exam to late summer? Or is that highly unlikely to succeed, seeing as I would have recovered a week before my 1st exam?
Original post by Nervous_Mole
I have been very sick with a chest infection and debilitating headache for 1.5 weeks and I'd expect it to last until this weekend after the GP finally budged and gave me antibiotics. It was so serious that I was nearly bedridden --- some days I were be too dizzy to stand up from the bed, some days my eyes were literally oozing out pus and I couldn't even read, some days I cough out greenish phlegm and blow my nose every ten seconds, and throughout the entire period too confused and sick to actually learn or remember anything, I could not revise for my exams at all. My 1st exam however is 2 weeks away, which means I'd be recovered a week before it starts.
We're given a term break of around a month to revise. I have 4 subjects lined up one after the other, each needing a week of revision, plus quite an important report. As I have lost 2 weeks during this break, this severely affected my revision schedule. My report is due on the same week as the exam and it needs at least 3 days of work, which means i need at least 2 weeks to submit both the report and the exam, and now i only have a week left.
Is there any chance the university would accept my EC request and defer my 1st exam to late summer? Or is that highly unlikely to succeed, seeing as I would have recovered a week before my 1st exam?

Did you get a fit note? if not ask for one to cover the period
Original post by Nervous_Mole
I have been very sick with a chest infection and debilitating headache for 1.5 weeks and I'd expect it to last until this weekend after the GP finally budged and gave me antibiotics. It was so serious that I was nearly bedridden --- some days I were be too dizzy to stand up from the bed, some days my eyes were literally oozing out pus and I couldn't even read, some days I cough out greenish phlegm and blow my nose every ten seconds, and throughout the entire period too confused and sick to actually learn or remember anything, I could not revise for my exams at all. My 1st exam however is 2 weeks away, which means I'd be recovered a week before it starts.
We're given a term break of around a month to revise. I have 4 subjects lined up one after the other, each needing a week of revision, plus quite an important report. As I have lost 2 weeks during this break, this severely affected my revision schedule. My report is due on the same week as the exam and it needs at least 3 days of work, which means i need at least 2 weeks to submit both the report and the exam, and now i only have a week left.
Is there any chance the university would accept my EC request and defer my 1st exam to late summer? Or is that highly unlikely to succeed, seeing as I would have recovered a week before my 1st exam?

Hey there,

I'm really sorry to hear about your illness and how it's affecting your studies. It sounds like you've been through a lot, and it's understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed by its impact on your revision schedule.

Given the severity of your illness and the significant disruption it's caused to your studies, it's definitely worth reaching out to your university as soon as possible. Explain your situation in detail, including the timeline of your recovery and how it has affected your ability to prepare for your exams and complete your report. In many cases, universities have processes to accommodate students who experience unexpected health issues or other extenuating circumstances. They may consider granting you an extension for your report or allowing you to defer your exams later.

Contacting your student wellbeing services or mentor for additional support and advice is also a good idea. They can help you navigate the university's procedures and advocate for your needs during this challenging time. Don't hesitate to reach out and explain your situation. Universities are often understanding and willing to help students who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Take care of yourself and prioritise your health as you work through this. Please feel free to reach out for anything at all!

Cheers,
Shri (MSc International Business Student).
Original post by Nervous_Mole
I have been very sick with a chest infection and debilitating headache for 1.5 weeks and I'd expect it to last until this weekend after the GP finally budged and gave me antibiotics. It was so serious that I was nearly bedridden --- some days I were be too dizzy to stand up from the bed, some days my eyes were literally oozing out pus and I couldn't even read, some days I cough out greenish phlegm and blow my nose every ten seconds, and throughout the entire period too confused and sick to actually learn or remember anything, I could not revise for my exams at all. My 1st exam however is 2 weeks away, which means I'd be recovered a week before it starts.
We're given a term break of around a month to revise. I have 4 subjects lined up one after the other, each needing a week of revision, plus quite an important report. As I have lost 2 weeks during this break, this severely affected my revision schedule. My report is due on the same week as the exam and it needs at least 3 days of work, which means i need at least 2 weeks to submit both the report and the exam, and now i only have a week left.
Is there any chance the university would accept my EC request and defer my 1st exam to late summer? Or is that highly unlikely to succeed, seeing as I would have recovered a week before my 1st exam?

Hi! I would recommend asking your GP for a medical note explaining your situation and that you need the note to apply for an Extenuating Circumstances. Most universities resist accepting ECs without some type of evidence to back it up.

I’m sorry you’ve been going through this sickness, it’s such a shame and I hope you recover fully and quickly!

Hope this helps!

Estelle
Third Year Psychology
University of Huddersfield
Original post by Nervous_Mole
I have been very sick with a chest infection and debilitating headache for 1.5 weeks and I'd expect it to last until this weekend after the GP finally budged and gave me antibiotics. It was so serious that I was nearly bedridden --- some days I were be too dizzy to stand up from the bed, some days my eyes were literally oozing out pus and I couldn't even read, some days I cough out greenish phlegm and blow my nose every ten seconds, and throughout the entire period too confused and sick to actually learn or remember anything, I could not revise for my exams at all. My 1st exam however is 2 weeks away, which means I'd be recovered a week before it starts.
We're given a term break of around a month to revise. I have 4 subjects lined up one after the other, each needing a week of revision, plus quite an important report. As I have lost 2 weeks during this break, this severely affected my revision schedule. My report is due on the same week as the exam and it needs at least 3 days of work, which means i need at least 2 weeks to submit both the report and the exam, and now i only have a week left.
Is there any chance the university would accept my EC request and defer my 1st exam to late summer? Or is that highly unlikely to succeed, seeing as I would have recovered a week before my 1st exam?

Hi!

I’m sorry to hear about your sickness. I would recommend getting in touch with your doctor to write you a sick note that states you were unwell enough to revise for and sit the exam in a way that was representative of your capabilities. Then I would look at the EC guidelines and apply for an EC with that as medical evidence.

Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Estelle
Third Year Psychology
University of Huddersfield

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