Will I get kicked out of Uni for poor attendance due to mental health
Hi,
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
Reply 1
Original post
by Rose_192006Hi,
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
What do your degree regulations say about attendance at seminars, tutorials, lectures etc?
Reply 2
It depends on your university’s stance on attendance vs your ability to stay on the course.
My university (UWE) and the course I was on (Biomedical Science) was fairly strict on attendance (it was not a RG uni but RG unis are not IBMS accredited, so I couldn’t go into diagnostics if it was). It would have us sign in digitally on every lesson and would also do a headcount to make sure someone didn’t send their buddies the code despite them not being in.
It was said that if our attendance dropped below 80%, we would need to explain and have a VERY good reason why, I also spoke with one of my lecturers in the summer one day and wasn’t seen in lectures that same day… so was sent an email asking (although the phrasing sounded more like a demand) as to why I wasn’t in despite being seen earlier… reason why was I didn’t have my hay fever meds and my eyes were watering so bad, I couldn’t see *hit… (despite my attendance being around 95%, the reason why it wasn’t 100% is because sometimes I would be late to lectures and miss plugging in the code).
It’s also a concern that not attending university lectures indicates problems which the university needs to address or has a duty to address (such as self harm, this is an example). I can also see based on what I have read, OB also monitors attendance in a similar way to UWE.
There is a correlation between a good level of attendance and the chances of passing, by default, if the university thinks you are not attending and therefore, has a lower chance of graduating, they will intervene and likely, if that means you dropping out of the course as the university does not want to waste your time (I.e you find a job and leave the course), they may see fit to do this. It may not be the case for you but they still have a duty to do so. This happened with one of the students on our course who would never submit deadlines on time and hardly showed up (turns out she got pregnant in the beginning of the year). So she would return this year (can’t specify if she did or not as my Masters was a one year course).
See below the engagement policy rules for OB.
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/getmedia/7303c418-c63a-4e61-a6db-dcfda9b38679/Engagement-and-Attendance-Monitoring-Policy.pdf
EDIT:
Typos.
My university (UWE) and the course I was on (Biomedical Science) was fairly strict on attendance (it was not a RG uni but RG unis are not IBMS accredited, so I couldn’t go into diagnostics if it was). It would have us sign in digitally on every lesson and would also do a headcount to make sure someone didn’t send their buddies the code despite them not being in.
It was said that if our attendance dropped below 80%, we would need to explain and have a VERY good reason why, I also spoke with one of my lecturers in the summer one day and wasn’t seen in lectures that same day… so was sent an email asking (although the phrasing sounded more like a demand) as to why I wasn’t in despite being seen earlier… reason why was I didn’t have my hay fever meds and my eyes were watering so bad, I couldn’t see *hit… (despite my attendance being around 95%, the reason why it wasn’t 100% is because sometimes I would be late to lectures and miss plugging in the code).
It’s also a concern that not attending university lectures indicates problems which the university needs to address or has a duty to address (such as self harm, this is an example). I can also see based on what I have read, OB also monitors attendance in a similar way to UWE.
There is a correlation between a good level of attendance and the chances of passing, by default, if the university thinks you are not attending and therefore, has a lower chance of graduating, they will intervene and likely, if that means you dropping out of the course as the university does not want to waste your time (I.e you find a job and leave the course), they may see fit to do this. It may not be the case for you but they still have a duty to do so. This happened with one of the students on our course who would never submit deadlines on time and hardly showed up (turns out she got pregnant in the beginning of the year). So she would return this year (can’t specify if she did or not as my Masters was a one year course).
See below the engagement policy rules for OB.
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/getmedia/7303c418-c63a-4e61-a6db-dcfda9b38679/Engagement-and-Attendance-Monitoring-Policy.pdf
EDIT:
Typos.
Reply 3
Original post
by Rose_192006Hi,
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
Hi Rose_192006,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your situation. We are really sorry to hear that it’s been a challenging time for you. It’s completely understandable to feel this way, especially with anxiety. University life can feel overwhelming, and it’s really common for students to struggle with attendance when facing personal challenges.
At Oxford Brookes, we monitor attendance not to penalize but to understand when students might need extra support. Our Engagement Coordinators are here to help if it looks like you’re missing lectures or assignments, or if online engagement is low. They’ll reach out to help you access the right support from your Academic Advisor or Student Support Coordinator and can help you access additional support through the Centre for Academic Development or other Student Support Services.
If attendance and engagement continue to be difficult, the Engagement Coordinators may suggest options like taking a brief break from studies to focus on your wellbeing. But please rest assured, we would never consider dismissing you from the university because of these struggles.
Oxford Brookes has a strong support network for students in situations like yours. Your Academic Advisor and Student Support Coordinator are available to discuss any adjustments or accommodations that may help. They understand that each student’s journey is unique and are more than willing to support you through it.
Additionally, our Counselling Service offers one-to-one and online sessions, group workshops, and various self-help resources, all free and confidential. This is a safe space where you can be supported to manage your anxiety, which could gradually help make attending in person a bit easier.
You’re already taking all the right steps, and we understand that’s not easy. Please remember you’re not alone, there’s a dedicated team here to support you.
Wishing you all the best, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you require any further support.
Best wishes,
Clare
Admissions
Oxford Brookes University
Reply 4
Original post
by Rose_192006Hi,
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
i started uni about a mounth ago my attendance is very low (around 15%) as my anxiety is incrediably bad and I'm struggling to leave the house.
I am trying to get better and get some support for it but it's quite a slow progress and lots of things I have tried aren't really helping.
I am worried I am going to be kicked out because of my attendance. I am engaging and doing the work from home and turning in assignments but am worried I still won't be considered to be 'engaging' enough as I'm not there and will therefore be kicked out,even though it's not my fault and I'm trying.
I go to Oxford Brookes fyi.
It is advisable that you your GP about your anxiety.
You should see student support.
There is a lot of support out there such as:
-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day
-Mind, 0300 123 3393
-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm
-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm
-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service
-Crises, 741741, text service
-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress
-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927
-No Panic, 0800 138 8889
-Relate, they have a chat advisor
-NHS mental health, 111
-Kooth, www.kooth.com, a chat, message website
-7cups, www.7cups.com, 24/7 online chat
-Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, 9:30am to 17:30pm Mon to Friday, a text service 07537 416905
-Young minds, www.youngminds.org.uk
-Calm, calm.com
-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516
-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area
You can self refer yourself to talking therapies on the NHS website.
Young minds website has a variety of information for mental health, from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress to loneliness etc.
There is the mind forum
Also Facebook groups
You can join support groups
You can contact a crises team if things get very bad
Plenty of resources online, infor mation regarding well being.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 5
Wait, so if you engage in the course, do all the work, attend exams, but you don't go to lectures and stuff, you won't get penalised or removed from the course at all? Cause most of us do have mental health problems, especially when being in student accomodation and some have vision problems so lectures don't help them or some struggle with attention or a big environment and may be better focused doing it on their own computer or watching lecture recordings.
Reply 6
Is there a specific attendance percentage where the uni says enough is enough and the person is removed from their course?
Or are they more prioritised on how the person engages with the coursework and exams than attendance, since most people probably aren't bothering to scan the QR code or use the link.
Or are they more prioritised on how the person engages with the coursework and exams than attendance, since most people probably aren't bothering to scan the QR code or use the link.
Reply 7
Original post
by AnonymousIs there a specific attendance percentage where the uni says enough is enough and the person is removed from their course?
Or are they more prioritised on how the person engages with the coursework and exams than attendance, since most people probably aren't bothering to scan the QR code or use the link.
Or are they more prioritised on how the person engages with the coursework and exams than attendance, since most people probably aren't bothering to scan the QR code or use the link.
Universities (at least most of them, if not all) do require a specific percentage attendance. The reason why is because there is a correlation between the number of classes you attend and the likelihood of passing. University is a choice, unlike school and so, if you are unlikely to pass according to the university, they will see fit most likely to remove you from the course for your own financial benefit as opposed to paying all these excess fees for what they think is of no benefit to yourself. I think my minimum attendance for UWE was around 95% or something before they start asking questions?
If you cannot attend a physical uni and can’t adhere to their attendance policy (yes, all universities have one), perhaps consider attending the open uni whereby it is all digital.
Take for example this small section from Liverpool;
“Some programmes have attendance requirements, such as a minimum overall attendance percentage of 70% or 90%. “.
I would suggest discussing any extenuating circumstances with the course leader before attending a university so you don’t get caught out or short.
One example I remember specifically was I remember I was in uni one day doing my Masters and I assume my module leader saw me earlier that day but didn’t say anything. Come the seminar (not lecture, basically applying our knowledge), he noted my absence and sent an email asking me why I was absent.
Long story short, I said I left my hayfever meds at the house and my eyes were HYPER puffy so couldn’t see anything (this was peak spring, I think May?).
Anyway, yes, failing a reasonable excuse, you will get asked why and even then, I think I *issed off my lecturer that day.
Reply 8
Original post
by AnonymousWait, so if you engage in the course, do all the work, attend exams, but you don't go to lectures and stuff, you won't get penalised or removed from the course at all? Cause most of us do have mental health problems, especially when being in student accomodation and some have vision problems so lectures don't help them or some struggle with attention or a big environment and may be better focused doing it on their own computer or watching lecture recordings.
You almost always will face some form of consequences although most unis will do their best to help if you make yourself clear to them, but there are times due to issues of certification and/or funding where there will be red lines. Consequences can range from being removed from the course to the staff thinking you simply don't give a F, and that can be really bad going forward. Also it's possible to miss lots of important discussions, content or arrangements if you aren't actually there, not everything goes online.
I've seen people fail an entire year because they missed a single session, even though it had been made massively clear the session was 100% mandatory with no exceptions and no redo was likely possible (scientific field trip data/survey stuff) but yeah some people just didn't come in 🙃
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