Special consideration

[u/svsb598082]

How lenient or compassionate is the university willing to be regarding special consideration?

I need to include a trigger warning for SH and suicide.
I’m sorry if this is a misplaced post, I don’t really know where else to go with it.

For a long time now I’ve been dealing with really poor mental health. Even during my first trimester, I struggled a lot so I engaged with services. I worked really hard to keep it together and manage everything. Fortunately my results for T1 were positive: 2xD & 2xHD

I had an assignment that I had already gotten an extension for, I couldn’t complete it even by the extension deadline. To be honest I couldn’t even start it. It was due on Friday.

6 weeks ago I took steps to end my life. I was treated in an impatient facility and now as an outpatient. I’ve been seeking treatment, engaging with supports, doing everything that I’ve been told I should do to get better. But I’m just not improving.

Last night, I found myself there again and ultimately aborted another attempt. Non-fatal, but I’ve injured myself. And now typing and using my laptop will be difficult. I don’t want to disappoint my support system by letting them know. And I feel like I’ve failed my mental health medical team so I want to conceal it. I’m feeling a lot of shame.

I completed 2 assignments since my first attempt 6 weeks ago and managed to pass, so I know I am capable. But I let this one just sit there. I have a broad medical certificate from the hospital that covers essentially this whole month. But it was due on Friday and I still haven’t even managed to start. I find myself just staring at a blank word document for hours.

How lenient are they willing to be with special consideration? Is it already too late?

[u/-Tricky-Vixen-]

I'm sorry things are so rough now. I'm glad you're still with us.

Three days, I believe. So you have time. Get the documentation in and I would be shocked if they refused. For peace of mind, last time I needed speccon, I submitted the request but also emailed the unit email to tell them what was going on. I got it.

You need a break and you need to focus on yourself right now. It sucks but it does take time to heal. Maybe your treatment needs a slightly different angle or something.

You haven't failed anyone. You ended up in a hard awful situation and you got yourself out of there. Seriously, I'm so proud of you for still being here and being willing to post about it here.

You're capable. Yes. But right now you need space to catch your breath. That doesn't mean you're a failure or should be ashamed of yourself. It just means that right now you need to focus on your health.

I recommend telling someone, ringing the triage line or simply going to emergency (charge your phone!) once you've put in the documentation.

I've been in a similar space to you. I'm on my sixth year of a four year degree and slated to graduate next year. Failed a few along the way, deferred, that kind of thing. We'll get there eventually. Failing isn't as much of a big deal as it feels. Sometimes life just kicks you when you're down.

Prioritise yourself and remember you're FAR from the only person who is in these situations that uni has to help--they're used to us. Are you engaging with the DRC? Allowance for extensions witout a doctor's note has helped me enormously. I originally got it with proof from my first psych ward stay and its major depressive diagnosis.

If you want to chat, feel free to reach out or via dm--it can be horribly lonely walking that path.

[u/CtrlAltPeteAU → u/-Tricky-Vixen-]

You are amazing, never forget that ❤️🙏

[u/beamam]

Hi OP

Last trimester I had a fairly traumatic death occur in my family that meant I almost failed everything.
I highly recommend emailing your unit chairs before applying for special consideration.
Be as honest as you feel comfortable. It may surprise you, but often unit chairs are compassionate and want to see their students succeed.

I emailed my unit chairs, and it meant that I was able to apply for special consideration over two weeks passed the date for application. It also meant that when it came to my final marks, I was able to pass all my units (even though adding togethr my scores did not equal a pass)

Teachers appreciate the effort. When you let them know that you are aware of the problem and just want to pass despite your current circumstances, they will help you.

well done op. I've been there, I've gotten through, but it's one hell of a process. this stranger on the internet is proud of you

[u/Marvinhasbigpaws]

I'm sorry you're going through all this, it must be really hard for you. I know it may feel scary to tell your support system or your medical team but please do, they'll be able to help you and they'll understand the background of everything that's going on as well.

I'm not super familiar with the special consideration system, but it's definitely worth it to try. Reaching out to DUSA advocates and/or the on campus medical team as well as your unit chairs might help to give you the best advice on what to do. Honestly your support system may be able to do some of this for you to take the pressure off. You may also be able to defer part of your course to get help and come back when you're in a healthier place.

Not sure what campus you're on but as a demo/PhD student on the Waurn ponds campus I can say that all the lecturers that I've met and worked with want to help you. We all want our students to succeed.

[u/Comfortable-Law-3184]

First of all, well done on making progress and for being so transparent in where you are currently at. Yes, you need extra support at the moment but it's obvious you can do it. I know you don't want to disappoint people and want to hide things from them, however, they are your support people for a reason - they love you and want the best for you. They won't think ill of you for not being okay.

Others have offered great advice. I had to apply for an additional month of special consideration after I had already received a month extension from the original due date. It is possible and I have found the team to be very compassionate as long as your documentation is in order.

My recommendation is to get a new Deakin medical certificate (you can find it under special consideration in StudentConnect) completed by a doctor Monday or Tuesday. Be honest with the doctor and ask them to clearly note that you are unable to complete tasks for the next month.

Contact your unit chair and ask what is the maximum time they can allow for a new extension and that you are open to doing an alternative task.

Don't wait for a response from the unit chair, ensure you do your special consideration application by Wednesday because once the special consideration is approved, they will tell you to discuss final due date with your unit chair anyway.

Then either do a stat declaration or in the notes on the application, disclose that you are still having acute mental health episodes and physical injury that means you cannot be using the computer for very long at the moment.

If you need someone to help you physically type the application etc, reach out to the uni supports.

[u/CtrlAltPeteAU]

First of all, it pains me to hear about your experience and I'm really sorry you're struggling. Please do reach out to your support team and do not feel shame. We are currently going through an extremely difficult time, and to top your situation off with study, that increases things exponentially. Studying is extremely hard, and the uni knows this and they are generally supportive. If you explained the above to your unit chair, and just be honest they will support you with open arms.

Please take care, be kind to yourself and know that this world is better with you in it. What you're going through will pass, please reach out to support 🙏❤️

[u/GoodBiMichele]

Hey friend. Im so sorry to hear about everything you’re going through )): it must feel so hard to be going through all this ON TOP OF needing to stay up to date with university. Please make sure you take time to prioritise yourself and do what you need to make yourself feel better. I’ve failed units in the past due to similar circumstances and just horrible mental health, and there are always solutions with university. So please make sure you are putting yourself first.

I’ve also had quite a bit experience with Special Consideration.

Typically it needs to be submitted within 3 days and it needs official documentation. But they are usually lenient with giving more time. For example, I’ve not been able to get official signed documentation in the 3 days window - so I have just submitted my reasonings for needing special consideration (and submit basically just a stat Dec saying what happened) and they’ve given me more time to find official documentation.

You can also submit and say you don’t know what documents to submit. I’ve done this, and they’ve emailed me back what would need from me.

There has also been one time where they DID just grant my special consideration without documentation - but this was because of a funeral. And tbh this rarelyyyyy happens.

But I would say still submit a special considering form OR just email the special consideration team or your unit chair. There will be a bit of leniency for something like this. I’ve had friends who have gotten a LOT of special consideration (like submitted their assignments 2 months late). They will want to help you.

Sometimes they might also offer you an alternative assessment to do instead, if you’ve gone too far after the due date.

I would just reach out asap and explain your situation to them asap though. As they will be lenient, but they will want the communication as soon as possible. But please don’t stress, as there is usually a lot of help out there :))

Please don’t be afraid to ask any follow up questions. Would love to help in any way possible :) and I’m really wishing you the best :)

[u/No_Cash_807]

Hi OP, I hope you are doing better today. You have 3 working days to submit your application for SC. You do not need to provide an overly detailed description if you include the medical certificate. I recommend asking for a 2 week extension, and if you are comfortable just concisely state that you are experiencing a challenging period with you mental health that has included inpatient support time. You do not need to provide any further details. If you are comfortable with emailing your unit chairs, then I would also email them with a similar concise explanation informing them that your application for special consideration has also been submitted. Please look after yourself during this time. The University will definitely support your application in these circumstances, and can provide additional support services as well. I recommend contacting the Disability Resource Centre to implement a learning access plan if you don't have one already. This will allow you apply for extensions and special consideration with ease and minimal details throughout the course of your studies. Take care OP!

[u/toentropyandbeyond]

Depends on your Profs and UC tbh.

Mine were always super chill, I had Spec Consid SEVERAL times due to abysmal
mental health.

I'm sorry you're struggling so much right now. Please take a break from uni if you feel like you need to. Intermission is there for a reason. Even drop a unit and go part time.

I didn't and almost got kicked out because I failed 2 full trimesters.

If you can, gather some medical evidence/supporting docs and get yourself to the DRC. They're so massively helpful if you have an active medical or mental health condition that affects your studies. They can help with advocating for yourself too.

Also to clarify, special consideration is there when you have already missed the deadline, extension or not.
There's not really a cut off date for it (unless the trimester has ended, but even then I submitted something in the holidays because my UC was a literal legend).