Even with the worst of the global pandemic behind us, it is certainly obvious that many people still experience uncertainly, isolation, and distress, which has a negative impact on their studies, and more importantly, on their mental health. Perhaps you are experiencing that too.

There are a few resources available through the Uni and in the broader community that you might find helpful. The Library has Peer Learning Advisors who run some social activities, as well as being able to help with study skills. They also offer one on one chats about anything that affects your study. This might involve study skills, referencing, or where the good places are in the library. The USU have over 200 clubs and societies, in a wide range of interests, where you can meet new friends with shared interests. There are lots of free activities, but you can also join to receive a bunch of member benefits. Headspace have an online forum, especially for students, to talk about the challenges they are experiencing, and some of the things they are doing to help themselves. Headspace also offer appointments with professional counsellor who can help you to develop strategies to maintain good mental health. The Uni has an app which is a peer support and mental wellbeing resource. It may also benefit you to speak to someone in the Uni’s wellbeing team, who offer a free and confidential service, or if you prefer someone external to the University you could ask your GP to give you a mental health plan.

While it is completely understandable that you might find studying difficult at times, the Uni still considers academic honesty very seriously. For example, you need to reference every source that you use to write an essay, and be very careful when getting support from other resources, including artificial intelligence. You need to complete your own work, even when writing code, that is, not look at another student’s assignment, and not get help for that assignment from a coach or tutoring company. If you are having a discussion about your assignment that you would not want your tutor to hear, it is probably a discussion you should not be having. Exams have rules that need to be followed including turning off your phone/devices, not having authorised material (e.g., study notes in your jacket pocket); wearing headphones; or obscuring your face. Any academic honesty breach may lead to a fail grade for that assessment or even a suspension from University.

If you need a few extra days for an assessment, you might be able to apply for a simple extension through the Special Consideration portal. Check the portal to see if that assessment is eligible and apply on or before the due date. If you are still unable to complete your assessment because of illness, injury, or misadventure, you should apply for Special Consideration. You have three working days to submit your application and where possible you will need to provide a supporting document from a doctor or counsellor dated ON or BEFORE the day the assessment is due. Ideally, they would provide you with a Professional Practitioner’s Certificate (download from the Uni website) that shows the period and severity you were affected. Check the SRC’s leaflet on Special Consideration for more information.

If you feel so desperate that you think you should breach academic honesty standards for an assessment, please talk to an SRC caseworker about what your options are. We provide a confidential service that is independent of the University.

Need more help or advice?

If you need more advice about your specific situation contact an SRC Caseworker by completing the contact form (below) or call 9660 5222 and our reception team will complete the contact form with you.

Caseworker Contact Form