WHAT TO DO IF YOU FAILED YOUR FIRST YEAR AT VARSITY

The Independent Institute of Education, SA's largest and most accredited private higher education provider (IIE Varsity College, Vega, IIE MSA, Rosebank College) says it is very important for both students and parents to realise that not getting it right the first time doesn’t make one a failure.

Although people generally dedicate the whole year to their studies, there are unfortunately those who do not make it. It is not a pleasant position to be in if you just finished your first year of study and you didn’t pass as well as you had hoped to, or as well as your family and friends have expected you to, or perhaps didn’t pass at all. But if you find yourself in this position, take note that all is not lost.

The IIE says it is very important for both students and parents to realise that not getting it right the first time doesn’t make one a failure. Instead, the situation should be regarded as a temporary – if inconvenient and costly – hurdle, and a wake-up call for thoughtful reflection.

They advise students to:

1. Make sure of their facts

It is important that you work out the facts of your situation – are you eligible for a supplementary assessment or a re-mark on any of the subjects? How will this impact on you graduating? What is the best way to re-organise your curriculum to still graduate as soon as possible? If you really need to change course, can you take any credits with you? What are the cost implications of all of this information and how can you fund it?

While these facts feel overwhelming to gather and organise, the reality is that you will make better decisions if you are more certain about the absolute reality of what you need to manage.

2. Meet with a student or career counsellor

The transition from school to college or university can cause many students to feel isolated and overwhelmed during their first year. For many students, failure in the first year is not necessarily a reflection of their academic ability, but rather an indication of an underlying issue. It is perfectly normal to need time to adjust to the social, emotional, and mental hurdles of university or college life.

The IIE says that student and career counsellors will take students through different options to ensure that they have chosen the right qualification and, if not, help them to identify fields better suited to their personalities and career aspirations.

It may, for instance, be a good idea to first pursue a Higher Certificate, before pursuing degree studies. It may also be that there is a more suited qualification within the chosen field, and perhaps even at a higher education institution that is better suited to the student. Knowing what your options are – and making sure you are on the right track before continuing – is an important part of ensuring future success.

3. Speak to the lecturers of the courses you found most challenging

Identifying those subjects that were most challenging, and potentially had a decisive impact on your results, is an important step. The Institute said seeking advice from lecturers can help students to overcome past challenges and identify new approaches to areas they found particularly discouraging.

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