Talk to your head of course

You're right about marks being subjective, inasmuch as essay work is qualitatively judged. However, there still has to be clear marking criteria for both staff and students.

If you want to have something remarked, you'll need a reason other than "I didn't like the mark I got". Perhaps the best place to begin is to request a full run down of your marks, and ask why a particular exam was marked in a particular way.

Request a meeting with your head of course and take things from there. However, mate-and I don't say this as a flame-but when you're talking to whoever, keep in mind that the main reason that you're in this situation is that somewhere along the line, you haven't worked hard enough, or done enough to get the help that you needed.

Getting a third is obviously disappointing. But it doesn't make you a bad person, and it doesn't make you a stupid person either. I wrote a recommendation for an ex student for a teaching course because although he was pretty lazy through most of his course, he came to see me after graduation and convinced me that, having worked in a call centre for a while, he had a new commitment to learning. Your degree is very important, but so too is the impression you leave with the people who you are asking for references. I don't know you, or your circumstances, but i do know that it's highly unlikely that you're in this position because a lecturer doesn't like you. Of course we are human beings, and there are some students we like better than others, on a personal level. but are we going to risk ?40K a year over it? I don't think so.

Go in, be nice, ask for an explanation, and accept fault where it is due. Leave a good impression, get a good reference. You WILL get a second chance, mate.

good luck.

Posted By: mccarudd, Jul 11, 11:30:14