Kopite Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 as none of you probably know, i'm training to be an optician, at the last stage of it all now, just the 10 qualifying exams to pass (easier said than done!). Done 6 already, got 4 more to do in 3 weeks. Problem is i've got Glandular Fever and have been off since the start of May. There's no way i'd survive workin where i am (4th biggest Specsavers in the country) as it's a very busy place!! The management have agreed that with Glandular Fever i would be asking for trouble trying to work as even right now it's hard to get out of bed at noon! If i don't pass these exams then i get 2 chances to resit - once in September, then failing that, last chance in January. After that i have to redo my training year (and get a job somewhere else) in August, before sitting the last exams again in June 2006. If i don't sit these (as work recommended), then i will definately have 4 exams in September (although these wouldn't be classed as resits) + whatever i didn;t pass in March (on my birthday of all days!), which i think i failed 2. So that would be 6 exams at least . Could be as many as 8-10 over 2 days if i cocked them all up. Obviously i've been tryin to get revision done but nothing's goin in because i've got chronic fatigue due to the glandular fever - my GP in the North East AND my usual one in Liverpool have said that it will take at least 3 months or up to a year before the fatigue goes. i'm doing the exams anyway in the hope of passing 2-3 of them. Revision is a problem as my brain is in the off mode as i'm so tired, still been tryin to keep active on recommendation (e.g. footy once a week but that's stopped now too). The problem is, none of the exams are written etc. They're practical (you get watched examining a patient) or they're vivas. time away from work is time lost brushing up my skills etc, i'm gonna be going in to the exam without being at work for 2 months!! i'm goin back to work for a week or so to try and get back in the swing of it but i've got visions of that just tiring me out even more. SOOO problem is - how the fuck can i get motivated or awake enough to get shit loads of revision done?! i could easily sleep 24 hours a day right now but i'm trying not to because otherwise i'll get stuck in that pattern. I should really be asleep now but i never go to sleep until about 2am most of the time so been tryin to stick in a usual daily pattern. Can't get up at 7am anymore because i feel like i've been out on a bender!!! Was desperate to pass these exams ASAP - nice pay rise for Supra goodies EDIT: oh yeah, to top things off - had to miss out on the trip to Istanbul with my mates and watch the game under a duvet on the couch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribleturner Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Man that's just not good at all. Have you tried thing like guarana (i think it's spelt like that) and other natural awakening things?? what about Pro plus?? Maybe even a sleeping tablet of some sort to get you to bed at an earlier time like 10. I suffer from some incredible sleeping patterns due to my shiftwork. I once was awake for 3 straight days . Nowadays i could easily sleep for 12-16 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Yeah i was thinging about stuff like that but the doc said not to because i need sleep.....if only i could be prescribed that when i don't have exams to stress about! i'd be class if i didn't have exams in 3 weeks! Guarana - if it's a relative or marujana i'll have some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribleturner Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Guarana - if it's a relative or marujana i'll have some! Wishfull think unfortuantly. It's some sort of caffine thingie that you can get from your local health shop. Maybe you should try asking in there or even one of those chinese doctor places?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 might do yeah. regular drugs are useless because it's viral, the actual fever will be out my system by now probably (although it was still there at the last blood test 2 weeks ago). Just the post-viral effects now! doh! still, started polishin my engine pay, painted my calipers and fitted my stereo stuff while i've been off, not all bad!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Mate, that sucks Get well soon I've been reading up on glandular fever, hope this helps: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 :kneel: yeah that's gettin sent as my next sick note, they'll like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terribleturner Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I've been reading up on glandular fever, hope this helps: LOL! Brilliant Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Problem is i've got Glandular Fever and have been off since the start of May. I've got it aswell! It started late Feb, I had a week off early on and I did start to feel better and so went back to work but towards the end of the working week I started to feel crap again. I've been off 3 separate weeks in total, each time I was starting to feel better and so went back to work only to feel unwell again. I decided to stay off now until I get over it. Went to see the Doctor again last week, he said if you do too much it can put back your recovery time. I asked how long it would last, he said how long is a piece of string! I'm self-employed so don't get sick pay, I got the forms to claim Incapacity Benefit. Filling these forms in is even worse than having the Glandular Fever! :thumbdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Mate, that sucks Get well soon I've been reading up on glandular fever, hope this helps: Brilliant! Kopite - Have you explored the fact it could be classed as an extenuating (sp?) circumstance? In that case, don't they average your grades out from previous years etc? Not sure if it's any different due to the course you're on, but hope you get it sorted mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Yeah surely you can get some slack from the exam board, stuff like this happens, there must be a system to deal with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTIN R Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Would of thought you would get some slack from the exam board, if not poke em in the eyes Hope it works out anyway mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I had glandular fever for 2 months before christmas, and i can honestly say it was the worst period of my life so far. too tired to stay awake, but couldnt sleep at all, spent about 4 days in a insomniac state, not fun at all get well soon matey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntD Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I hope you get well soon mate.My final practical/clinical exams had to be postponed for almost 6mths after some lowlife scum caused me to write off my car after a failed hijacking .You need to give your body time to recover though,so basically you do need to rest and sleep.I know what its like being in your position and also had some great plans already made for after I qualify,but they were all put on hold at the time.Just stay positive and do your best at whatever exams you r able to do...and yes,I would at least expect some leniency from the exam board. Cheers Ant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I have been lucky so far but I have a similar problem in my line of work (financial advisor / mortgage advisor. If I dont work for 13 weeks I have to re-do 3 big exams. They are not easy and takes approx 5 weeks study for each plus the costs. When my fiance went into hospital with meningitas septicimia a while back, i obviously took quite some time off work. But had to do the odd day here and there as not to loose my authorisation. Luckily for me, she made a full recovery and I kept my authorisation. I hope it all works out for you matey. Hornet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Yeah surely you can get some slack from the exam board, stuff like this happens, there must be a system to deal with it? That's the problem - the only thing the exam board will do is say not to sit them. That would lead to exams piling up in September and it''s unlikely i could pass 6+ exams then. If it's 2 or 3 in September, then i'd be ok. The reason it's like that is because they look at 2 main things - how safe you are to practice (so you don't miss some tumour etc somewhere) and if you're completely legal (in health terms as well as business/sales acts etc). They can't be slack over those 2 things. The pass rate on these exams is 30% because if you say 1 stupid thing (or you can't completely justify an action) - you fail straight away. It's like 10 driving tests - you can do everything right but if you run a red light you fail. These exams are for the College of Optometrists (Opticians), unfortunately, everything you've done in the past isn't looked at at all. Even your performance during the training year isn't looked at, it's all about how you do in the exam on the day Think i might have to look at claiming incapacity - im only on half pay from work now which is £300!! My council tax is half of that straight away, then there's other bills like gas, phone etc. That's before i come to the fuel bill for the bitch parked outside, luckily i'm not drivin that much right now though. Dreadin these exams though, not only because i'll be totally unprepared but also you've gotta be dressed in full suit etc while you're testing the old gits they get to sit as patients, it's gonna be bakin hot in Anglia (where i've got to go to from the North East to sit them!) and the central heatings on all year round because the old dears will still feel cold!! was like that at uni, was horrible!! everyone was in the clinics sweating their arses off when it was baking hot with the central heating on! that'll be tough too! fuck it, 10 mins then i'm off to revise, then watch Neighbours (shut it, i'm straight! ) then revise more.... probably... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.