Tuesday 11-04-2023 - 11:00

By Josh Freestone, UG Academic Officer

Exams and assessments are not easy at the best of times, and it’s completely normal to be feeling stressed or worried right now. 

Two things you should know: 1. You are not alone and 2. There are things that can help. This might mean upping self-care, reaching out for wellbeing or mental health support, or finding out about practical things like concessions or deferrals based on serious adverse circumstances.

Have a look at the options below and see what works for you. 

Mental health and wellbeing support

There are lots of different ways to access mental health and wellbeing support, either from within the University or external organizations. There are also resources out there that don't require you to meet with anyone, but simply offer some online guidance to help you through stressful periods.  

Counselling and Mental Health Wellbeing Service: This valuable service can offer information and guidance on self-help resources, and they are there to help students manage any difficulties that are making engagement with your studies challenging. To access an appointment with a Psychological Wellbeing Advisor, email cmh.service@durham.ac.uk

If you are affected by any sort of disability, you can access an appointment with Disability Support to receive specific, tailored support.

The Durham SU’s Advice Service has pulled together lots of options here for you to choose from.

Remember, your college has a Student Support team who are there to offer advice and signpost you to appropriate resources. Look them up under the “about us” tab on your college’s website, or find an email address below. Please note: college student support is for everyone, not just undergraduates and not just college residents.

• Hildbede.college@durham.ac.uk, zoe.papagiannouli@durham.ac.uk
• Collingwood: grant.slater@durham.ac.uk
• Grey.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk, j.a.barbaro-brown@durham.ac.uk
• Hatfield.asstmaster@durham.ac.uk
• Snow.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk, v.l.bedford@durham.ac.uk
• Butler: Rebecca.dutson@durham.ac.uk
• South: lynn.preston@durham.ac.uk
• St Aidan’s: christopher.c.jones@durham.ac.uk
• Chads.support@durham.ac.uk
• Cuthberts.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk, l.m.harris@durham.ac.uk
• Johns.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk
• St Mary’s:emma.gray@durham.ac.uk, dave.robson@durham.ac.uk
• Stephenson.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk
• Trevelyan.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk
• Univcoll.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk
• Ustinov.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk
• Vm.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk

Academic support 

Sometimes, just looking after your wellbeing isn’t enough to stop the impact on your grades. This is why Durham University offers a range of mitigations which take into account any difficult circumstances you might be experiencing.  

Don’t be afraid to take up these options – they are there for a reason, and if you think that you fit the criteria and that they would help you, please make use of them.  

Serious adverse circumstances forms 

When “exceptional circumstances, outside your control, prevent you from either acquiring or demonstrating the skills, knowledge, or competencies required to meet the learning outcomes associated with an assessment...” you should submit an SAC form, as quickly as possible. Follow this step-by-step guide. If you need help or have questions, please contact your college student support office or the SU Advice Service. 

DCAD (Durham Centre for Academic Development) 

They will provide resources and support on academic skills such as time management, essay writing, and how to avoid plagiarism. Check out what they have to offer here.

Academic Advisor 

Every student will have been assigned an academic advisor who will be able to help with study advice and signpost to areas of support. If you have any queries going into the exam period it is well worth getting in touch, and the earlier the better.

Help from the SU Advice Service 

We offer some useful academic advice here, or you can submit a form and someone will respond within a few days.

MITIGATION 

If you have particular circumstances that have affected your ability to do your assessments or exams, you may find an SAC form is a good option for you. Providing context about your situation on the SAC form allows your circumstances to be considered by the University and appropriate action taken.

Please read the SU Advice Service page about SAC forms here.

Please do not submit an SAC form relating solely to industrial action in your department. Each department is handling mitigations for any module components that were affected by the strikes.

If you’re struggling to understand what the best option is for you, you may find it useful to contact the SU Advice Service. This will allow an impartial adviser to help you understand your options and the processes involved in seeking support.

Contact the Advice Service by clicking “Get in touch” on this page.