I wrote this out way too long just now, so I'll try again but briefly.

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Have an essay that I can't do. As in, genuinely can't do. I've done everything possible to try and understand it. It's not going to happen.

I've already been given an extension of two days, which will be up a couple of hours in the future. Also, we only get three essays a term, so they kind of matter.

Lecturer who set it is terrifying, and has only taken a lecture once. So that's kind of... awkward...

Anyhow, do I just email LITERALLY saying (well, a little more politely, but..) "I can't do your essay. You won't get an essay. Sorry." Is there something else? Because I really don't want to say that...

What's likely to happen? I mean, presumably they can't send you down for it, but at the same time it's surely going to be a kind of big deal? When I got the extension I tried to make it clear that it wasn't going to make a difference, so I'm not sure that they're going to get that it really is beyond my capability.

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Yeah, that was still too long. Sorry.