So, you think you did ok in the exam, and your marks throughout semester have been pretty good, but somehow your final result was a fail??? Hmm..sometimes  it just doesn’t seem to add up.  Maybe the exam paper has not been marked correctly? It can happen.  And then sometimes you just didn’t do as well as you thought you did. It would be good to find out wouldn’t it! Well, you can – all Swinburne students are entitled to request a review of the marking of a piece of assessment -  including assignments, tests and exams. There are, however,  strict guidelines (in line with University Policy and Procedure*) as to how to go about requesting a reassessment. These Procedures include when you must submit a reassessment request and to whom you submit it to. And what do you submit anyway? Let’s look at these now.

* Keep in mind that University Policy and Procedure for Assessment and Appeals sometimes change and that it is also good to speak to the SSAA Academic Advisor/Advocate on your campus. For a look at the Univeristy’s Assessment and Appeals Policy and Procedure for Higher Ed visit: http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/showdoc.aspx?recnum=POL/2007/9

Re-assessment Procedures:

So, you are dissatisfied with an aspect of the outcome of your assessed work. Initially there is an informal resolution process. If, however, a satisfactory resolution is not achieved, then you  may commence the formal process.

Informal Resolution Process:
Students who are dissatisfied with an aspect of University assessment should normally contact the member of the teaching staff most directly involved with the assessed work or the relevant Subject Convenor. If you are unsure who to contact, email your unit convener.  SSAA advises that you do this via email so that you have a dated record of it.

Students have up to ten (10) working days to initiate an informal review of an assessment result from the date on which the assessed work is made available for collection.

In your email state that you are not satisfied with the mark for <THE UNIT IN QUESTION> and that you wish to arrange a time to meet to review the paper with the possibility of reassessment.

Be aware that it is in your own interest to commence this process as early as possible so as to facilitate resolution in time for subsequent re-enrolment procedures.

During the informal process the staff member may take such action deemed appropriate to resolve the matter. This may include, but shall not necessarily require:
• reviewing attendance (where required) and submission records; and/or
• checking the marks for the work; and/or
• discussing the marking criteria in detail with the student; and/or
• allowing the student to submit or resubmit a section of an assignment where the staff member is of the opinion that the student had valid grounds for misinterpreting what was required and this misinterpretation has led to a lower mark than may have been expected.

As a result of the informal review your result can only be improved or the original mark stand. In other words you cannot lose marks as a result of having your piece of assessment reviewed.

The informal resolution process must be completed within ten (10) working days from the date you contact your lecturer/tutor/unit convener. The Head of the Academic Unit (usually the Dean) may grant an extension if it seems likely that the informal resolution process will not reach a conclusion in that time. This may include situations where the relevant member of teaching staff is away.
Students who are unable to make contact with the staff member, or are reluctant to do so for any reason, should contact the Administration Manager of the Academic Unit or nominee.If you are not sure who this is then contact your faculty reception and ask.

Students who are overseas may still ask for their papers to be reviewed at an informal level. The review will be done by the convener/lecturer in your absence.

You will be notified of the outcome of the informal review by the staff member, usually at the time when you meet to look over the paper. They may/may not indicate that there could be extra marks awarded in your paper. The marks will not be changed at the informal review, you will need to then go through the formal procedure to request an official remark of your paper.  Also, if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal resolution process you may then progress to the formal procedure.

The formal procedure for reassessment request involves writing a letter to the Head of the Academic Unit and must be submitted within five (5) working days from the date of notification of the outcome of the informal review of your paper.

SSAA recommends that you make an appointment with the Academic Advisor/ Advocate on your campus if your reassessment request comes to the formal stage. We can help you write the letter to the Head of the Academic Unit. This letter needs to include very specific information and follow a particular format. We can help.

So, the quick guide steps for reassessment are:

1. Contact your lecturer or unit convener within 10 workings days of receiving your result to let them know you wish to have the paper reviewed. Request a time to meet with them to look over the paper together.  Do this by email because then you have a written record of having requested the reassessment within the time limit.

2. Meet with lecturer/marker of paper to look over paper with them (it will be a quick appointment – they usually have a lot of students to see). Take in as much of the marking as you can – maybe a section has been missed in the marking; perhaps the marks have been added up wrongly.

3. If you strongly believe that your paper has been marked/added up incorrectly then progress to the formal resolution stage.

4. Make an appointment with the  SSAA Advisor/Advocate on your campus. (visit www.swinburne.ed.au/ssaa for contact details)

And remember, it can be a good learning exercise to look over your paper so even if you do not get any extra marks try tto use the exercise of seeing where you went wrong in the paper to your advantage if you later need to repeat the unit.

Good luck everyone!

From the SSAA Student Academic Advisors/Advocates : )

Didn’t get the results you were after in semester one?  Semester two is the chance to make changes to improve your results!

If this is your first year of study, you have now had a semester to familiarise yourself with Swinburne and adjust to your role as a student. If you have had to move away from home to be closer to Swinburne, hopefully you have had enough time to adjust to your new living arrangements.  If you have problems with your current accommodation, there is a Housing Officer available on each campus. If you have any personal issues, don’t let then affect your study, Swinburne has counsellors on each campus.  Make an appointment to see one.  It’s a free service for students!!

If too much socialising was a problem in first semester, the good thing about second semester is that the cold weather usually means less social events.  This can be time to change your study techniques and create an even balance of study and socialising.  SSAA offers a number of activities for students, where you have the chance to meet other students.  Contact the SSAA Clubs and Activities officer on your campus!

Having trouble with your study skills? Motivation? Managing stress? Exam preparation?  Why not try attending one of the Academic Success Program workshops.  For more information or to register, go to  http://www2.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/counselling/group.html#asp.

You can also assistance with exam and report writing, note taking, referencing, maths and other study skills through Learning Links, which has a convenor on each campus and can be located at:

http://www.tafe.swinburne.edu.au/social-sciences/Access/studysupport.htm?OpenDocument&filter=D

If you are an International Student and need a bit of help with language, literacy and numeracy or would like to improve your English,you can get assistance through Swinburne International at: http://www.international.swinburne.edu.au/student-life/support/skills.htm

If you are having any academic issues such as problems with your lecturers, other people in your course, unhappy with your results, need special consideration, don’t suffer alone; make an appointment to see the SSAA Academic Advisor at your campus!!

Swinburne University will send you a letter advising you that your results in your course have triggered a review of your enrolment by the Progress Review Committee. You need to respond by the specified deadline.

If you do not reply to the University’s notice within the specified time frame the University will assume that you no longer wish to study at Swinburne and exclude you from your program of study. It is therefore essential that you reply as soon as possible.

Presenting your case well in writing can make your job significantly easier when it comes to a meeting with your Progress Review Committee. Indeed, if your case is sufficiently strong it might even mean that you don’t need to meet with the committee at all.

THE BASICS

The letter must include:

• The date
• Your name and student number
• A contact telephone number and email address (All communication from Swinburne will be to your Swinburne student email account)
• A current contact mailing address and ensure that it is updated on Swinlink

Explain why you think your results have not met University standards and why you think that your performance will improve in the future.

Ensure you structure your letter properly with the address of the person you are sending it to and the date at the top. Make sure you sign and print your name at the bottom.

The address to send your reply to is listed in your show cause notification letter, however you may also hand the reply in person to your faculty administration office.

Once you have completed your letter it is a good idea to show it to either a Student

Academic Advisor at the Swinburne Student Amenities Association (SSAA) or someone you trust to make sure it is clear and comprehensive. SSAA may also be able to make some suggestions about things to add.

THE IMPORTANT STUFF

Provide an explanation for your performance

It is important that you give the committee a sense of why your performance has been poor. It may be that you have experienced illness, a relationship breakdown, family problems, difficult work commitments, financial problems, difficulties with English, taken some time adjusting to University life or simply spent to much time partying – you wouldn’t be the first student who got distracted by a social life. Go into as much detail as necessary to make your situation clear to the committee, remembering not to ramble. Make sure it is clear and concise.

Try and draw a link between any issues you have been dealing with and your academic performance. If you have had family problems did you find it difficult to study at home? If you had problems with childcare did you miss lectures as a result?

It is also important to detail any support or assistance you have sought over the last semester. Did you apply for special consideration? Talked to your lecturers? Saw a counsellor? This demonstrates you have been actively trying to change your situation and will help your case. When you write your reply be polite and avoid blaming anyone else for your situation. If it is someone else’s problem it’ll be hard to show what you can do to change that!

Be realistic with yourself about your circumstances and use the opportunity to think hard about where you want to be in the future, including whether Swinburne is the best option for you. The main value in talking about your circumstances is that it gives both you and the university an opportunity to consider some ways to help you minimise or avoid any problems you otherwise may experience in the future, so it’s important to be honest.

Say what you have done, or will do, to improve your performance

If your problems have already been resolved and you are confident that they will not recur then say so. For example, if you were in hospital during the semester but are now better the problem has been resolved and you can get on with your studies. Alternatively, if you’ve been having problems keeping up with a job outside of university you may have now reduced your hours or shifts.

If your circumstances have not yet changed you need to explain what you are planning to do to change things in the future. For example, you might plan to see a counsellor or may be taking some study skills workshops. In some cases you may need to manage your situation better and agree to receive more support. It is important that you actively make decisions to change your situation and that you intend to do what you say.

Take some time to think about your needs and what services are available at Swinburne and in the community. Consider things such as counselling, study skills training, stress management sessions, housing advice, financial advice and disability support services (for students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions).

FINAL HINTS

If you can supply evidence to support any of your claims then do so. For example you may include medical certificates or a letter form your employer.

Keep a copy of your letter and any supporting documentation. We recommend that you attach photocopies (they must be certified copies) to your reply and bring originals with you if you are asked to attend a Progress Review meeting.

Start now, don’t wait. Make sure you are clear about deadlines.

Continue attending classes and handing in any paperwork required of you including assignments and reenrolment forms at least until your case is finalised.

SSAA employs independent Student Academic Advisors to assist you to write your reply and help you with your case. They can also attend with you if you are asked to meet the Progress Review Committee.

Regardless of how confident you feel about your case, in our experience students always do better if they seek support.

Hawthorn – 9214 5445

Prahran – 9214 6570

Lilydale – 9215 7176

Croydon – 9726 1542

Wantirna – 9210 1169

ssaa@swin.edu.au

www.swin.edu.au/ssaa

Many students receive an ‘at risk’ letter each semester. This letter is designed to draw your attention to the fact that your results have been poor, and that if your results continue to be poor next semester you are ‘at risk’ of possible exclusion from your course.  Receiving this letter represents an opportunity to reflect on the possible reason for your poor performance, and to put in place steps that might assist you to avoid being ‘at risk’.

Students often fail a subject(s) because they have serious issues including health, financial problems, family or relationship related. Other students have trouble adjusting to University life, such as being away from home. Some students may require help in understanding what is expected of them, working on their study and/or time management skills. Some just get caught up in the University lifestyle and spend less time on their studies. It may be that you are in the wrong course and perhaps need to think about whether continuing is the right option for you. Students may also give higher priority to their work or other commitments ahead of their studies due to financial or other reasons.

Regardless of your situation there are a range of people available to assist you to manage your situation and help improve your results. Do not assume that working harder next semester will be sufficient; you need to take steps to improve your situation. Your Faculty may ask you to attend a group meeting to discuss student support available on campus. It is advisable that you attend this meeting. In addition to your teachers and other students, there are many support services available at Swinburne which can help manage your situation.

You may wish to make an appointment to see;

• A Course Advisor in your Faculty
• Have a chat to a Counsellor or register with Disability Support http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/
• Enrol in an Academic Success Program http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/counselling/group.html or
• Contact the Language and Study Skills Unit http://www.international.swinburne.edu.au/student-life/support/skills.html

All the contact details are in the back of your student diary too.

If you feel you need to discuss more about the range of options available to you, make an appointment with a Student Academic Advisor at the SSAA, contact 9214 5445 for further information.

For further assistance and information contact the SSAA on one of the following numbers:

Hawthorn – 9214 5445

Prahran – 9214 6570

Lilydale – 9215 7176

Croydon – 9726 1542

Wantirna – 9210 1169

ssaa@swin.edu.au

www.swin.edu.au/ssaa

Tips for Exam Success

Leading Up to Exams

Relaxation Techniques

To reduce stress and anxiety levels in the lead up to exams you can combine all of these things to help achieve success*:

-reduce alcohol consumption

-increase exercise

-ensure you sleep 6-8 hours daily

-reduce consumption of high sugar foods

-reflect upon your academic and personal accomplishments

-try to ‘catch’ yourself if you are having negative thoughts about your ability in the exam. Turn this around! You still have time to study and pass.

-practice calming breathing exercises, follow the link below.

Study/Revision Techniques

 Find out in class what topics are likely to be on the exam

Check if there are copies of previous exams of the unit available for review

Practise writing answers within the allocated timeframe

Set aside definite times each day to revise

On the Day

Reducing Stress

Sleep 6-8 hours the night before*

Eat a low GI breakfast to sustain energy levels for the day*

Try to get in some moderate exercise*

Arrive with plenty of time:

-remember to get a bottle of water & locate the toilets

 Arrange your space with the things you need; pens, calculator, tokens etc.

 Breathe evenly and calmly*

 *Studies have shown these tips to be effective in increasing concentration. A range of Fact Sheets are available to peruse at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

If extenuating circumstances occur that prevent you from being able to complete the exam, Special Consideration may be an option. Contact an Academic Adviser at SSAA to discuss your options regarding this. You can also read the governing policy at: http://policies.swinburne.edu.au/ppdonline/showdoc.aspx?recnum=POL/2007/9

 Writing the Exam

 Read the Instructions, and adhere to them.

 Understand the structure of the exam.

-How are the sections weighted?

-Which questions require the most amount of time?

 Construct a plan for the overall exam. What order will you answer the questions in? How much time will you allocate to each one? Generally starting with your most confident answer assists with settling into the process.

 Breathe. Remember you have spent the last 3 months learning this topic, and that you probably know more than you realise.

 Before you answer long questions, draft a plan on the spare paper provided:

-Carefully construct answers using relevant information/facts. This is more effective in the examiners eyes than pages and pages of obscure information.

 Answer the question in the format required.

 Ensure your handwriting can be easily read by others.

 Stick to the timeframe you allocated for each question, otherwise you may ruin the whole exam. Comeback to a question in your review time.

 If you develop writer’s block. Stop. Put your pen down, and remember this is likely due to anxiety. Practice your breathing techniques for a minute or two, calm down, and keep going. You will get there. If you’re still stuck, move onto another question.

 Leave time to review your answers.

Check your personal details are correct and on all pages of your exam.

Discrimination, harassment and bullying are commonplace words that we often here described in the media about particular workplaces. But did you know that educational instituitions are also covered by laws prohibiting such behaviour?

What is discrimination?

 Discrimination is broadly defined as treating one person unfairly over another according to factors unrelated to their ability or potential. Legislation prohibits discrimination on the specified grounds.

These are:

• age
• breastfeeding
• carer status
• disability/impairment
•  employment activity
• gender identity
• industrial activity
• lawful sexual activity
• marital status
• parental status
• physical features
• political belief or activity
• pregnancy race
•  religious belief or activity
• sex
• sexual orientation
• personal association with someone who has, or is assumed to have, one of these personal characteristics. any other unfair treatment based on a characteristic protected by law.

 There are two kinds of discrimination: Direct and Indirect.

Direct discrimination occurs when someone receives less favourable treatment on the basis of characteristics or stereotyped assumptions which are not job or study related.

For example:

• A supervisor refuses to support a student’s application for a PhD because she is pregnant

• A staff member is refused entry to a training course because they are considered too old.

Indirect discrimination occurs when policies and practices which appear neutral or fair because they are applied to everyone, have a different and disadvantageous impact on groups of people covered by equal opportunity legislation.

For example:

• All tutorial classes and tutor consultation times for a subject are held after 5 PM. While this requirement applies equally to all students, it may have a disproportionate impact on, for example, students with family responsibilities. The requirement may therefore amount to indirect discrimination.

• Short-listed applicants for a job are all invited to attend an interview that is held on the third floor of a building with no lifts. Applicants with a disability that affects their ability to use stair would be disproportionately affected. This situation may give rise to indirect discrimination.

 What can you do?

1. Keep a copy of all correspondence and right down any incidences in as much details as you can.

2. Speak to a Discrimination/Harassment Advisor Swinburne Discrimination/Harassment Advisors are available as a ‘first port of call’ to people seeking advice on how to proceed with a complaint.

Resources:

Discrimination Network Advisors

 Swinburne Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy

Victorian humans rights equal opportunity commission

Stay tuned for posts on sexual harassment, bullying and racial vilification.

Wow, what happened to the year?!  It’s already May which is traditionally a tough time of semester.  Many students begin to lose motivation for certain units or even their whole degree at this stage and consequently fall behind.  Are you one of these students?  Have you been missing lectures and tutorials?  Not spoken to your teaching staff for weeks or even months? Lost motivation in a unit or feel completely confused?

If things are not looking good for you in your personal or academic life and you’re really feeling the strain, YOU MUST NOT GIVE UP YET! 

 TAKE CONTROL

As the end of Semester 1 approaches, now (meaning NOW!!!) is a good time for self-appraisal to see if you’re on track to pass your units.  First, clearly identify what you still need to do in order to pass each unit.  List the assessment requirements and take the time to think about each one and what work is required.  Grab your SSAA wall planner and write where each assignment is due but aim (if possible) to have them ready well before the due dates so you can make final improvements to your submission without having to rush it.

Don’t let your studies overwhelm you! By planning ahead (use your diary and wall planner), you are taking control of your time and empowering yourself to prioritise.  For motivation, try imagining the 7 week break at end of exams!

SEEK HELP

The best resource any student has at their disposal is other students.  Run ideas or questions past each other and share your understanding of the various assignments.

As well as talking to other students, you really should catch up with your tutor/lecturer/convenor to chat about where you’re at.  Even if you’ve been a little distant for a while, it’s not too late to express your intention to succeed!  If you’re seen to be helping yourself you’re more likely to get help from others when you ask.

There are also plenty of Student Services staff who can help with various problems for free (visit your campus SIC or http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/ for info). 

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT WITHDRAWING..

If you are absolutely 100% certain you have no other option but to withdraw, you can withdraw from one or more units (subjects).  However be cautioned – you will need to retain at least one unit if you wish to stay “on the Swinburne books” ie – stay enrolled as a student.  Once withdrawn from a unit (or units), your record will show that you have not passed the unit(s) and you have withdrawn late. There will be no refunds – you will still be charged full fee for it. This option really should be avoided if possible. Give yourself the chance to realise your potential! Speak to relevant faculty or SSAA staff if you are thinking about withdrawing as an option. Click back to the ssaa website for contact details on your campus.

Good luck!