I’m missing the first three weeks of the second semester.

3

So I’m going to Vietnam and Japan for the first three weeks of the second semester starting next year February, meaning I’ll miss about 10+ lectures and seminars. I’m going with my wife to visit my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I’ve informed both my personal tutor and my senior lecturer and I informed them of it about a month ago. So I’ve emailed them now to make it official. I don’t mind catching up while I’m abroad and doing any required reading. I’m just worried that my university (Bournemouth Uni) will automatically fail me for this. Has anyone been in a similar situation and how did it turn out?

Reply 1

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

13

Original post

by NoNameMan12

So I’m going to Vietnam and Japan for the first three weeks of the second semester starting next year February, meaning I’ll miss about 10+ lectures and seminars. I’m going with my wife to visit my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I’ve informed both my personal tutor and my senior lecturer and I informed them of it about a month ago. So I’ve emailed them now to make it official. I don’t mind catching up while I’m abroad and doing any required reading. I’m just worried that my university (Bournemouth Uni) will automatically fail me for this. Has anyone been in a similar situation and how did it turn out?

Hey,

It’s great that you’ve been so proactive in letting your personal tutor and senior lecturer know about your travel plans. Giving plenty of notice and following up officially by email was absolutely the right thing to do. That kind of communication really helps staff understand your situation and shows your commitment to keeping up with your studies while you’re away.

Universities are usually quite understanding when students are transparent and organised about planned absences. Missing a few weeks doesn’t automatically mean you’ll fail, especially if you’re keeping up with your reading, staying in touch with lecturers, and managing any deadlines. It’s worth checking whether lectures will be recorded or if your tutors can share slides, notes, or reading lists to help you stay on track.

I’d recommend making sure you get confirmation from your tutor and lecturers about how they’d like you to handle the missed sessions. If you don’t hear back via email after a reasonable amount of time, try to catch them during their office hours or before/after a class. Sometimes an in-person chat can clear things up much faster.

You’re clearly thinking ahead and taking the right steps, which will make things much smoother when you return. And it sounds like a wonderful trip, I hope you have an amazing time.

Good luck 😊
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 2

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

13

Original post

by NoNameMan12

So I’m going to Vietnam and Japan for the first three weeks of the second semester starting next year February, meaning I’ll miss about 10+ lectures and seminars. I’m going with my wife to visit my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I’ve informed both my personal tutor and my senior lecturer and I informed them of it about a month ago. So I’ve emailed them now to make it official. I don’t mind catching up while I’m abroad and doing any required reading. I’m just worried that my university (Bournemouth Uni) will automatically fail me for this. Has anyone been in a similar situation and how did it turn out?

Hey @NoNameMan12!

First off - well done on being so communicative with your course staff and planning your absence ahead of time!

It's very unlikely you'll face any repercussions from the university. You've notified your personal tutor and senior lecturer and have written proof of a planned absence via email. Furthemore, it's highly unlikely that you have any scheduled exams or assignments in the first three weeks of the semester, so the university shouldn't have any grounds to fail you academically.

As long as you try to catch up on the missed lecture content when you get home you shouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage. I missed two weeks of my second year due to a bad case of flu and was able to reintegrate myself back into university life without any issue.

Enjoy your trip next year and best of luck with your studies! 🙂
Eve (Kingston Rep).

I’m missing the first three weeks of the second semester.

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