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University Updates
Welcome to this special edition of University Updates. As we come up to the Easter holidays, when many of you will start thinking about summer exams, we want to highlight opportunities available to support your wellbeing as well as provide you with practical information. Even if you don't have any exams, you may find some of the wellbeing tips and information useful.
Wellbeing support
Time to pause
It's really important to schedule in regular breaks when you're studying for exams or assessments - it's good for your mental and physical health. It can be something as simple as a coffee with a friend, a walk in our beautiful grounds, or trip to the beach. All this week a wide range of events are taking place across campus for you to join in with, ranging from the lego café to pillow cinema, individual study advice sessions and a 'sports happy hour.' There's something for everyone and you can read the full list of events here.
My Wellbeing Toolkit
Many of us are aware of the benefits of looking after our wellbeing, but how often do we think about our resilience?
It is especially useful to practice resilience techniques at times like the run up to exams or assessment deadlines, where we are asking more of ourselves and our time. Below are some useful things to think about when you are working on building your resilience:
- Developing self-compassion - Learning to be kind to yourself, and to talk about yourself with compassion, is really valuable in being able to cope when things don’t go as you may like.
- Look after your physical health – Getting enough sleep, being mindful of your diet and exercise all support your resilience. Taking care of your physical health helps you have the energy and resources to look after your mental health, which in turn will help with your productivity.
- Creating action plans - Action Plans help you to set clear goals or aims. Having a sense of direction and feeling that you are working towards something that matters to you can give a sense of meaning that is important for your wellbeing.
- Changing thought patterns – You can practice certain techniques which help you to change any negative thinking patterns, and to respond differently to certain situations or deal with difficult feelings as they arise.
There are many more ways to build your resilience and develop skills which can support you to cope with challenges. You can learn more about these in the My Wellbeing Toolkit, which can be accessed via the new student welfare Penryn web pages, which have information, tips and activities to support resilience.
SilverCloud: Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programmes
All students at the University of Exeter can access SilverCloud, a confidential platform that offers secure, immediate access to online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programmes, tailored to your specific needs. The programme has shown high improvement rates for depression, anxiety and stress and also has a programme on body image.
Self-help, Academic Skills team and online support
There are a large number of self-help resources available on the Exeter Wellbeing Services website, including workbooks such as Busting Exam Stress and Overcoming Panic Attacks, mindfulness and relaxation audio files, and online self-help resources. Additionally, you can find a range of useful resources including exam specific information on the Study Hub website as well as information on the Academic Skills team (ASK) which provides one-to-one advice on the skills you need for academic study.
Penryn Welfare team
If you have health or welfare-related issues which are affecting your studies or are causing you particular concern in relation to your exams please get in touch with the Welfare team as soon as possible to make an appointment. Alternatively attend a drop in session on a Wednesday afternoon between 14:00 and 16:00 (we will continue to run these over the exams period) by coming along to the Penryn Info Point and asking to speak to a member of the Welfare team. At a meeting we will be able to talk through your options in terms of support and your studies and can agree with you a plan of action going forward. Read more about the service provided by the Penryn Welfare team.
Urgent support
If you or a friend need urgent support for your wellbeing or health, please make sure you use the emergency contact details and resources on our student welfare pages.
Exam practicalities
Top tips for managing deadlines
- Break down big assignments into a series of smaller tasks – add deadlines and mini-deadlines to a planner to keep on track.
- Check out the Pomodoro method – it’s a great way to keep churning through the work.
- Use a priority matrix to help you decide what to focus on.
- Use technology to help you – check out free apps to help you organise.
- Leave time for referencing - make sure you know where to find the guides you need.
May Exam Timetable
Exams run from 7 to 24 May 2019 at the Penryn Campus. Your personal exam timetable can be accessed via MyTimetable or by the iExeter app. Please ensure that the device you are accessing the timetable with is set to current UK time.
You can also read the general timetable and further information about exams and assessments can be found online.
Students with specific exam provisions will be emailed to confirm provisions and locations.
Additional Support through the May Examination Period.
- email Info Point in Peter Lanyon Building
- Student Support Services
- email Penryn Hub Welfare Team
- ASK
- The Compass and Compass Online
Make sure you know the rules by reading: Guidance to Candidates 2018-9
Good luck with your exams and assessments. If you need to contact the Exams Team, please email cc-exams@exeter.ac.uk or call 01326 371815.
UK time
Please ensure that the device you use to check your exam timetable is set to the current UK time. Also remember, British Summer Time begins on Sunday 31 March at 01:00 so make sure that you update any clocks or devices that are not automatically updated.
Calculators in exams
Some exams permit the use of a calculator. If you are permitted to take a calculator into any of your exams, please ensure that it has been checked and approved by your Info Point/Hub prior to the examination. Should you have any queries, please contact Penryn Info Point team in the Peter Lanyon building.
Exam day checklist
Remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your exam and bring these important things to every exam:
- Your University ID Card - if you have lost your University card you may obtain a replacement from the Penryn Information Desk (PIP) at Peter Lanyon Building or via the online store (ensure you select Penryn Campus) at a charge of £10 or bring a current passport or some other form of ID which shows your name and photograph.
- A clear case or clear plastic bag for pens, pencils etc
- A soft drink or water and a snack if needed (reasonable quantities only and these shouldn’t disturb others)
Please do not bring valuables. Mobile phones, smart watches, fitness/trackers or any other means of sending or receiving messages are not permitted in the exam hall. Please do not bring them with you. If you accidentally bring a mobile phone or similar, please ensure you have switched it off and all alarms are off and hand it to an exam supervisor. Please see Guidance to Candidates 2018-9 for further details.
Mitigation
If you are faced with an unexpected circumstance which will impact (or is impacting) upon your ability to complete a piece of work or sit an examination, then you may be entitled to apply for mitigation. Please note that the mitigation form has been revised with immediate effect to being a word document that you must complete and email in to the Penryn Info Point team in the Peter Lanyon building. The online mitigation application system is being reviewed and is not currently available. The word document is available here and contains all of the information you need plus email addresses you need to make an application for mitigation.
Via mitigation you can apply for a deadline extension for coursework, or to defer either the coursework or exam until the August deferral period. You must be able to supply evidence, and this must be received within 10 working days of the assessment date/deadline.
All applications should be made before the deadline/exam, or within one working day afterwards.
*** If you haven't had a response about a mitigation application already submitted to the online mitigation application system within the past 2 weeks, or need any further information about this process please contact the Penryn Info Point team in the Peter Lanyon building***
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
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