No! University is the real world and all sorts of things can impact a person’s grades. Universities have many ways of overcoming obstacles in life to get the best mark you can. Possible reasons, students fail courses:

• Student burnout. E.g. too much work.
• Family issues.
• Disabilities.
• Health issues.

How to move forward? Ask the student services! Each university has a student support network that you can contact for advice. They understand university can be challenging and will offer support in their university.

What if I dropped out? There are many ways to get back into university. For example:

• Trade schools.
• Special consideration.
• Recognition of prior learning.
• Admission through a portfolio.
• Recognition of industry experience.

Will that change my degree? No! The final degree will be identical to everyone else’s. E.g. When you graduate, the certificate will not mention any form of special consideration or entry path ways. I personally got an extension on my PhD and it still just says: “Dr Tim Jackson’s PhD”.

Will anyone know I have special consideration? No! Student circumstances are hidden from everyone, including the teacher. As a teacher, last time I had a student with special consideration, I got told that one (anonymous!) of my 400 students has special consideration but just mark the assignment normally and they will modify the mark.

Hint: If you think something is impacting your performance or your ability to complete a degree, ask for special consideration early. It sounds much better than telling a teacher 10 minutes before an assignment is due that your goldfish died!