I have had a couple of low marks on assignments and it has really affected my confidence. I have a couple more to finish by the end of June, and I seem to be having a bit of a crisis now. I don't think anyone at uni would be able to offer support and I just don't know what to do. I am in my 40's so not a young student by any means.

It sounds awful, but would anyone employ a social worker with a third class degree? - in my first year I was comfortably working towards a 2:1 and now I can't seem to construct an essay at all.

I am trying to decide whether to not take the third year - I can't afford to get more debt if I am not employable afterwards.

This has really shaken me up, one poor result was because I left out a huge chunk of the assignment - I just forgot to submit it.

What I need to hear is that other people had (very) down times during college, but were able to gain from it and qualify thanks!

sorry to hear your feeling low Francesca. if its any consellationi am a second year student and i have found this year very difficult it is a lot harder than the first year. we were told to expect a dip in our marks and i am expecting this. i have not had any essays back yet i get them back on tuesday and i am very worried as when it came to writing i felt like i had forgotten how to do it. the anxiety levels were massive. i got a lot of support from my fellow students who were also feeling as pressured and as stuck. there is a great deal of pressure in this year with 100 days of placement and then six essays to do in 10 weeks which we all found hard. i think as long as you have  passed that is great and if not you can resubmit i think. i am under the impression that a social work degree is a social work degree what ever the numbers after it. 

dont get down just think how great it will feel this time next year when it is all done. i am also a mature student and worry about failure and what i will do if this does not work but i aim for a 40 % and anything better is great. hope this helps and good luck. 

Thank you, that is just what I needed to hear,

I suppose I am just having a pity party, when I really ought to just keep reading the books and studying.

I think that it helps to 'construct' whatever you are writing about - Introduction (why this topic? what I hope to learn from it), ; Research already available, own experiences; own Research (if any - i.e. questionnaires used); the legal / Procedural context; personal/family/community/wider society/national implications/issues; Summary and Conclusions.

At its simplest beginning, middle and end - often the middle being the most important. Use Tables , quotes to help 'break it up' / make it look more interesting.

Stck to the guidelines given you - do not exceed the stated length. Do not plagiarise without clearly identifying who you are quoting. Draw on your own experiences - that will also make it more interesting. If you are keen and enthusiatic so will the reader be.

Just a few thoughts.

Thanks Rupert, one particular thing I struggle with is a feeling that I have to include a reference for every single point - I can't say the grass is green unless I can find someone who has said so in a course text book - hence I spend hours researching tiny points because I don't know if I am allowed to have any opinions of my own. I take your point about using my own experience, but all work has to be in the 3rd person, so I find it hard to put it in.

But you have given me a clear outline of how I need to refocus my work - thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

 I can't think of much to say in addition except to wish you the best and note that academic writing can be a different style and one that can be hard to get your head around. Do the university offer any general 'essay writing' sessions or something like that? They might be worth seeking out. 

Hello There

I remember when I undertook my degree, hitting the same brick wall and and coming very close to walking away ......... citing I could not jump through any more hoops and I wanted to have my life back!!

With the support of my uni tutor and friends on the course I made it through.  I wasn't the only one, all of us went through the same, but at different times, and we all pulled together.  I think it is part of the process of becoming a qualified social worker; you find yourself reflecting and questioning if its the career for you and if you will cut the mustard.  I am sure you will make it through. 

On a practical note, in regards to your essay assignments; What I found useful was to keep asking myself if what I was writing answered the question, sounds really obvious but I found it kept me focused. 

Hope this helps.

Shellie

Thank you, you know I think that is exactly what it was - the low point. I feel much more positive this week - even though I'm still in the middle of assignment hell!

I've failed some essays and my dissertation twice.  If you do want to be a social worker don't let it stop you.  Is there any support you could get from your university like mentors etc who could help you with structuring/planning assignments?

As for a third class degree, I'm not sure if it would be a problem, but as long as you are registered with the GSCC it shouldn't be a huge factor when employees are considering you.

Hi Francesca

I have had a few interviews since finishing my degree last week.

HOWEVER on all the interviews I have had, not once have I been asked about my grades.

There is an expectation for us new ones to have the degree, but the grade seems irrelevant. My fellow students would all tell you the same too.

Don't worry about your grades...do your best, get loads of supervision and you will pass.

Sue

xx

I'm a little late in replying to this but wanted to offer some advice.

Talk to your tutors, ask for feedback on what you have written, how you can improve it and for any hints and tips they can offer. The same with the staff in the Learning Resources Centre at your uni - there will be someone in there who is able to spend time with you going through essay writing techniques. The course staff want you to pass because failing students reflects badly on them so it's in their best interest to help you as much as they can.

When you get your essays do you get a marking criteria? Our essays were always given to us with the module guide. In this module guide it outlined the headings of what we were studying and therefore what needed to go into our essay or presentation. I used this as a tick list to ensure that I had gotten everything in the essay that needed to go in. 

I know a number of the older students on my course all had a hard time with the essay writing, namely because they weren't in the habit of essay writing, it had been a long time for them since studying at school and there's a big difference between school/college and university. So you're certainly not the only one.

I've just finished my degree and have been offered several jobs - none of them have asked for my grades, only that I pass the course to obtain registration with the GSCC.

 Hope this helps :-)

Willo,

thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed reply.

There is no actual help available to students who do not have a disability - not even for those who have english as a second or third language, but there is some information online that I can access. The tutors are not noted for there willingness to give feedback beyond what is given out when an essay is returned, I have asked to discuss one particularly low mark, but have not had any response to the couple of e-mails I have sent.

I have had a much better third term with considerably higher marks than the last two so I am feeling much happier these days.

Glad your third term has gone much better :-)

 Doesn't sound like your uni is too helpful!

 Here is a link to a website that may be of use to you in the future  http://dissc.tees.ac.uk/mainmenu.html

 Good luck with the remainder of your course!

It's great that you're feeling more positive about your third term, that must be a relief. If things every get tricky again then perhaps talk to your personal tutor and work out a plan of action. If they are unwilling to, and if you're still having to battle with tutors to get feedback on your essays then perhaps get the National Union of Students involved on your behalf (hopefully you're an NUS member as all students were when I was studying!).

Good luck!