CROW (Counselling Resources on the Web)
Thinking of Dropping out?
Alternatives to Withdrawal
Implications of Withdrawal
So you have decided to quit
Alternatives to Withdrawal
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Before you withdraw, make sure you have carefully considered all alternative options listed below and have discussed them with someone you trust: |
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Take a Short Break
Have a good night's sleep, have a day off with friends, go for a long walk, engage in a little retail therapy - just relax. Sometimes that is all that is needed to renew your energy and make you realise that you do not need to take any drastic steps.
Manage your Stress
University studies are hard work and can be very stressful, especially if combined with work and family commitments. You might need to learn relaxation techniques, take up yoga, or integrate quiet times in your daily routine. Try not to overload your timetable at the expense of personal time.
Get Back on Track
If you are behind with your studies, borrow notes from friends, join a study group or talk to your lecturer to help you catch up the work you have missed. But note that it is not easy to catch up on old material while also keeping up to date with new work. You will need to be very focused and organised.
Improve your Study Skills
Are you wanting to quit because the subject is too hard, the reading incomprehensible, the assignment too complicated, or because your notes are in a mess, you cannot organise your time and you keep procrastinating? You are not alone! Hundreds of students need to improve their study and organisation skills to be successful. Individual sessions and workshops are conducted by the Learning Co-ordinators throughout the year. Assistance is also provided for students whose first language is not English and those unfamiliar with the New Zealand style of teaching.
Seek an Extension
If you are going through a crisis and are finding it hard to cope with your academic workload, you could ask your lecturer for an extension to finish your assignment. A few more days or weeks might be sufficient to put you back on track. Most lecturers are sympathetic, provided such requests are infrequent, genuine and are made prior to the due date.
Note - this option should not be abused! If you are chronically unable to meet deadlines, you should seek time management advice from the Learning Coordinators.
Aegrotat and Impaired Performance Consideration
Where students are prevented from presenting themselves at an examination or test because of serious illness, injury or bereavement (Aegrotat), or where they consider that their performance in any supervised examination or supervised test has been seriously impaired by illness, injury or bereavement (Impaired Performance), they may apply for these circumstances to be taken into account in the determination of the final grade for the paper. An Aegrotat/Impaired Performance form can be collected from Massey Contact on all campuses, the Health and Counselling Centre Albany, Massey Medical Centre PN, Student Counselling Service PN, Health and Counselling Centre Wellington, which is to be completed by an appropriate health professional. For further information on the process of applying for Impaired Performance/Aegrotats please click here.
Other Help - Student Services
Sometimes, studying is fine; it's everything around it that is causing problems! To help, Massey University offers a comprehensive range of student support services: personal counselling, loans, accommodation, health centre, multifaith chaplaincy, careers advice, disability resources, harassment and discrimination grievance advice, International Student Centre, etc. The Student Association is also an excellent point of contact for academic and welfare assistance. Click here for contact information for all of these services.
Go Part-Time
If you are not coping with your workload or if you have too many work or family commitments, why not withdraw from a few subjects and continue part-time? In most courses, you can take as little as one paper per semester. You can always go back to full-time studies later when things are easier for you. But be aware that:
- If you drop below 40 points per semester or 80 points over two semesters, you may lose your entitlement to the Student Allowance and the living portion of the Student Loan. You should check with Studylink before making any changes
- Withdrawing from core or prerequisite papers may impede your enrolment in further papers. You should check with the Administrator of your College before making changes.
- You need to withdraw formally from the papers that you decide to drop. This can be done on a 'Change of Papers' form at MASSEY CONTACT or your College Administrator's office, or by phoning 0800Massey.
The normal financial and academic penalty deadlines apply.
Withdrawal without financial penalty is possible within the first 10 percent of elapsed study period. Withdrawal without academic penalty is possible within the first 50 percent of elapsed study period.
Change your Course
If you are unhappy with your course or some of your subjects, you may be able to change your enrolment. This should be done as early as possible to avoid interfering with your studies and generally no later than week two of the semester. You should talk to the Administrator for your College if you would like to change. International students should check the restrictions imposed by their visa with the International student office, Massey Contact before changing course.
Enrol in an Extramural Course
This is a valuable option for students who have difficulties attending classes on campus. It does not however reduce the amount of work and time required to complete your studies. Note that not all courses are available in Extramural learning mode.
Implications of Withdrawal
Tuition fees
Withdrawal without financial penalty is possible within the first 10 percent of elapsed study period. This is defined by the start and end dates of each paper.
Student Loans and Allowances
If you drop below 40 points per semester or 80 points over two semesters, you may lose your entitlement to the Student Allowance and the living portion of the Student Loan. It could also mean you wont pass over half of your course which has implications for both Student Allowance and Student Loan. You should check with Studylink before making any changes.
Your academic record
Withdrawal without academic penalty (Did Not Complete) is possible within the first 50 percent of elapsed study period. This is defined by the start and end dates of each paper.
Withdrawing from core or prerequisite papers may impede your enrolment in further papers. You should check with the Administrator of your College before making changes.
Why does a 'Fail' matter? A 'Fail' lowers your grade point average and may restrict your future options. It may prevent you from enrolling in further courses at Massey University or in other New Zealand or overseas universities, or may require you to show cause why you should be allowed to re-enrol. If you seek a job, it may not be considered favorably by prospective employers. A 'Fail' stays on your academic record forever.
Scholarship and overseas sponsorship
If you are in receipt of a scholarship and withdraw from your course, the scholarship may be cancelled and you may not receive another one if you decide to resume your studies at a later date.
Your career
If you have decided to discontinue your studies, you will need to examine what you want to do with your future. If you are confused about your options, you should seek advice from the Careers and Employment Service .
Personal
Withdrawing from your course or from a few subjects may provide you with the breathing space that you need to sort yourself out and perhaps start again later. Or, if you have realised that university studies are not for you, withdrawing may give you a sense of relief. Nevertheless, withdrawing can sometimes lead to feelings of failure and inadequacy, may damage your self-confidence and may isolate you from your friends. If you resume your course later, you may then regret having wasted a year. You may also find it hard to return to your study after a break. This is why it is important to look at all alternative options before taking this significant step. Counselling can assist you to explore these feelings in more depth and assist your decision-making.
International students
If you withdraw from your course, your visa will be cancelled automatically and you will be required to leave New Zealand. You must contact the International Student Office, Massey Contact before withdrawing.
So you have decided to quit?
This section applies whether you decide to withdraw from one, several or all your subjects. Before you read this section, make sure you have familiarised yourself with the alternatives to and implications of withdrawal.
It is essential to be aware that, unless you formally withdraw in writing, you will still be considered as enrolled in your course or papers, even if you have advised your lecturers and/or no longer attend classes or submit assessments. Therefore you will continue to incur tuition fees and academic penalties.
Example: Shannon commenced a Business degree fulltime in February but after six weeks was homesick and went back home. She told her friends and her lecturers but forgot to withdraw in writing. As a result, by the end of the year, she will owe $3,500 to the Inland Revenue Department for her fees paid by Student Loan and will have DNC (fail) recorded against every one of her first year subjects.
Do it right!
You can withdraw by using My Enrolment, logging in with your ID number and PIN. You can also withdraw in person by completing an Application for 'Change of papers, programme or major' form at your College Office or Massey Contact at each campus. Your form can be emailed to enrol@massey.ac.nz for processing. You will need to provide a list of the papers from which you wish to withdraw. Ensure that you record your full name and student ID number on your request. If you require assistance with your withdrawal phone 0800MASSEY (627 739) or email contact@massey.ac.nz
What should I do next?
- If you receive Student Allowance or Loan payments, advise Studylink immediately.
- Pay any debts to the University (eg Library fines, loan repayment, etc).
- Hand in your student ID card.
- Take your text books to Bennett's Bookshop as. depending on their condition, you may receive a partial refund.
- If you are leaving your accommodation as well, give the appropriate notice and apply for a bond refund. If you are living in the University residence, you may be liable for a penalty for breaking your contract.
- International students need to contact the International Student Office, Massey Contact.
What if I change my mind?
If you cancelled your enrolment in haste and realise this was a mistake shortly afterwards, you should contact your College Office or Massey Contact as soon as possible as it may be possible to re-enrol. It is not sufficient to simply tell your lecturer or recommence attending classes - if you are no longer formally enrolled, you will receive no result for the work you do.
If you would like to make an appointment to see a counsellor to learn more about this topic please contact the counselling service on your campus. Distance students can contact any one of the campuses.
Please tell the receptionist if you need an urgent appointment.
Manawatu: Student Counselling Service, Turitea Campus, Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 5.00 pm (8.30 - 4.30 during semester breaks). Telephone (06) 350-5533.
