Academic Resilience: the key to overcoming setbacks

Answers

1) Who should you communicate with about the problem?

• What support networks and options are available at Teesside?
  • Some support and advice whilst being a Teesside student
• You should communicate immediately with the module leader or whoever is marking the work
• You could communicate with your year tutor, personal tutor or programme leader

2) How could this problem be solved or the outcome improved?

• You should contact the bus company lost property department while looking for other solutions.
• Although there is no electronic back up, is there a draft printed copy that could be scanned?
• If the academic staff who are involved are not able to extend the time period then you may be encouraged to start the work again and hand in a partially completed essay for the original deadline. 
  • This could include any preparatory work and research.
• Although this will not give the best mark it is better than a mark of 0.

3) If you ignore this advice, how might it make the situation worse? 

• You could ignore the problem, give up and not submit
• You could not take any responsibility for causing the problem
• You could not communicate with anyone
• You could be tempted to copy someone else’s work to get a quick plagiarised essay.

4) Suggest what you could do to stop this problem happening again

• Realise that the essay is only worth 15% of the module mark.
• Take the opportunity to learn about backing up all electronic work and retaining multiple copies.
• You could also consider emailing draft versions of essays at various times and maintaining good version control of documents.

Low mark on first assessment scenario

You have just received your technical report mark and have been given a mark that is 15% lower than you expected. The technical report is worth 40% of the marks in a coursework only module. The second report, which is worth the remaining 60%, is due to be submitted two weeks later. 

Questions

1) Identify who you should communicate with about this problem.  

2) How could this problem be solved or the outcome improved?

3) If you ignore this advice, how might it make the situation worse? 

4) Suggest what you could do to stop this problem happening again

Answers

1) Identify who you should communicate with about this problem.  

• What support networks and options are available at Teesside?
  • Some support and advice whilst being a Teesside student
• You need to quickly seek feedback from the marker.

2) How could this problem be solved or the outcome improved?

• It is best not to challenge your markers' academic judgement 
• Instead get feedback so you can better understand the difference between your expectations and the actual mark.
• Your expectations need to be realistic.

3) If you ignore this advice, how might it make the situation worse? 

• This could show a lack of academic resilience.
• You could assume the marker is wrong or has not been fair.
• You could ignore the difference between their expectations and the mark and continue to write the next report without changing anything in their approach.
• Give up.

4) Suggest what you could do to stop this problem happening again

• You can see this disappointment as an opportunity to learn.
• This work was only worth 15% of the module.
• By seeking and using feedback you should be able to improve the result for your next report.​​
• Use feedback effectively

Family bereavement

You have suffered a close family bereavement and have stopped attending classes. You are half way through the academic year but feel unable to cope with the idea of returning to university and have lost contact with your classmates. You know that you have already missed the deadline for submitting a piece of coursework. 

Questions

1) Who should you communicate with about the problem?

2) How could this problem be solved or the outcome improved?

3) If you ignore this advice, how might it make the situation worse? 

4) Suggest what you could do to stop this problem happening again

Answers

1) Who should you communicate with about the problem?

• What support networks and options are available at Teesside?
  • Some support and advice whilst being a Teesside student
• You should immediately contact your year tutor, personal tutor or programme leader. Contact someone you feel comfortable with.
• You may directly contact the module leader about the missed coursework or prefer another member of staff to do this on your behalf. 

2) How could this problem be solved or the outcome improved?

• Early communication is the key here. This allows various options such as submitting extenuating circumstances, or seeking additional counselling support. 

3) If you ignore this advice, how might it make the situation worse? 

• You could not communicate with anyone and be withdrawn through lack of attendance.
• You could give up. 

4) Suggest what you could do to stop this problem happening again

It is not possible to prevent bereavement. However, if you feel able to respond by reaching out to a member of staff and our support services early, we can support you to achieve a positive academic outcome.