When it all goes horribly wrong, www.studentvillage.co.za is here to help. Many students find varsity life a daunting and difficult adjustment. Classes and workload may get too much, you find yourself facing problems with teachers, tutors or advisors or in any number of other academic pickles. Here’s a rough guide to help you through all the ifs…

If you need to extend your deadline…

The excuse “the voices told me to hand the essay in late” is so last decade. It’s also fair to say that tutors have probably heard every lame plea for deadline extensions in the book. So be honest. If you have had some serious personal, family or illness issues that have interfered with studying, discuss it and see what compromise may be available. And don’t forget to get a doctor’s note if you have missed more than a couple of classes due to illness.

If you’re failing your course…
Oops! Bet you saw this coming, though. Don’t waste another minute- talk to your tutor, SAP! Discuss the issue with them and see how you might save your academic career. They might suggest a re-write on a crucial test, if you’re lucky, some extra work or give some insight into finding extracurricular help. If this proves unfruitful, you may try student advice on campus for general advice.

If you want to change or leave your course…
Signed up for mechanical engineering only to find you may be better suited to writing instead? There are many things to consider when changing your course, the least of which is the complicated financial arrangements and deadlines if you change schools or programs. Still, if you’re terribly unhappy with a module or programmed, contact your lecturer. Think long and hard about your reasons, and have a back up plan ready. Your lecturer or programme co-coordinator will be able to direct you to the next step or help you resolve some of your problems with the course.

If you have a problem with staff, the campus, or if you’ve been accused of plagiarizing or other misconduct…
All universities and colleges have a code of practice that outlines the university’s rules as well as your basic and academic rights. When you join that university, you are basically agreeing to abide by those rules and can get nailed with nasty penalties if you step out of line.

You will be sent or given this document (usually in a booklet) before you start classes, and it’s actually in your best interest to read it and not lose it. If you have, drop by your Student Union or Student Services offices to get a new one.
As all universities have different approaches to disciplinary procedures, what constitutes misconduct and how to report alleged misconduct, consult your manual or talk to Student Services or Student Union to see how proceed. Make sure you’ve done research and read the fine print carefully!

You may be required to take the issue further up the dean, so ensure that your complaint (or your defence against a complaint leveled at you) is properly prepared. For example, that your teacher “sucks” or wears bad ties usually isn’t enough to raise an issue.

However, if you are genuinely having problems with a member of staff or have suffered any racial, sexual or discriminatory abuse, make sure you speak up! The situation won’t be remedied if you keep quiet.