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If you do have a relapse, don't panic. If you need time to spend time at home to rest - even if this takes many months - you must contact your personal tutor and your learning support tutor and take advice from them. They will let you know who else will need to be involved. Colleges value you and will work with you to try and enable you to continue your studies once you are well.
Contact your local education authority to discuss what'll happen to your fees. If you are receiving any other allowances or benefits make sure you contact the appropriate offices to update them on your situation and discuss what happens next.
If you miss one or two terms' work it will affect when you can complete the qualification. Some qualifications are very flexible and the assessment can be taken at a number of times each year.
Where there are external assessments though, these are defined by awarding bodies and there is little flexibility. Some courses are 100% coursework and learners need to complete all the work. If you have missed a considerable amount of work then you wouldn't be able to complete the course until the following year.
Some qualifications such as NVQs need significant practical assessment in the workplace and clearly you could not complete the course if you are recovering at home. However, you can pick up where you left off.
Stay in touch with the college while you are away. You will need to let them know what you intend to do so that any relevant application deadlines for your study and financial support can be met.
Once you are able to start to do some work again from home the learning support tutor will liaise with the personal tutor and curriculum staff to organise college work and provide feedback. Home visits may be part of that process. Communication by email is often an excellent way of receiving feedback on assignments.
If you think you have made the wrong choice as regards college or courses - maybe the course doesn't suit you or you are unhappy with the support you are getting - don't think you are stuck there. Many people change colleges or courses for different reasons. Talk to your personal tutor or the student union representative about your feelings. You could do some research on other colleges or courses that interest you.
If you feel that studying from home is the best way forward for you then check distance learning useful links for loads of contacts and ideas.
Information produced February 2004
