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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
Dealing with deadlines
Whether it’s handing in an essay or turning up to work on time, stress affects us all. None of us can avoid experiencing stress but there are helpful ways to manage this to enable you to feel like you are on top of things rather than things being on top of you. Alex Williams, Senior Mental Health Practitioner, will be covering exactly this in his talk tomorrow at St Luke's and on Thursday at the Streatham Campus. Full details below, no need to book, just turn up.
- Wednesday 27 March, 12:30 – 13:30, Baring Room 112, St Luke's Campus - Positive Ways to Cope With Stress: Dealing with Deadlines
- Thursday 28 March, 12:00 – 12:30, Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus – Positive Ways to Cope With Stress: Dealing with Deadlines
My Wellbeing Toolkit
It is important to remember to take care of ourselves whilst we work hard to achieve the best results that we can. 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 on ELE which has information, tips and activities to support resilience.
Self-help and online support
There are a large number of self-help resources available on the Wellbeing Services website, including workbooks such as Busting Exam Stress and Overcoming Panic Attacks, mindfulness and relaxation audio files, and online self help resources.
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.
Wellbeing Support at St Luke's Campus
Support sessions can take place at St Luke's campus. Please discuss availability with the Wellbeing team.
Urgent support
If you or a friend need urgent support for your wellbeing or health, please make sure you use the information on our urgent support web page.
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.
- Check out the Study Zone Digital exams and revision advice page
- Leave time for referencing and brush up on your referencing skills.
May Exam Timetable
Your personal examination timetable for the May 2019 exam session is now available and can be accessed via MyTimetable, or through the iExeter app. Please ensure that the device you are accessing the timetable with is set to current UK time.
Exams run from 7 to 28 May 2019.
Students with specific exam provisions will have been sent an email to confirm provisions and locations.
In preparation for the exams in May 2019, you are required to read the Guidance for Candidates.
Additional Support through the May examination period may be sought from:
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 your nearest Info Point/Hub.
Exam and revision study skills support
At the Study Zone we can offer 1-1 academic skills appointments to support you with both revision and exam strategies. We will also be running an Active Revision workshop on Tuesday 30 April 11:00 to 12:30. To find out more about how we can help you contact studyzone@exeter.ac.uk
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 Student Information Desk in the Forum or via the online store at a charge of £10 or bring a current passport or some other form of official 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 for Candidates 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 your appropriate Info Point/Hub. 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 your Info Point/Hub ***
Take a break
Taking a break from studying can help you to relax and focus better. Below, we have suggested some on-campus activities that may help. You should also read our page on 'Five Ways to Wellbeing'.
On Campus this Easter?
To celebrate Easter, Reed Hall will be open on Easter Saturday, 20 April, between 10:00 to 14:00. We have a fun Easter Egg Hunt for anyone to take part in. You will be given a map upon arrival and once the questions are completed simply present the answers to us and receive your free Cadbury Cream Egg.
There will be seating available both inside and outside or if you prefer to sit on the grass and enjoy an Easter Picnic there is plenty of space to do this outside.
Entrance is free and no booking required.
Visit from Devon Birds of Prey
The Residence Life Team are planning a series of visits from Devon Birds of Prey – these will take place in May around the residences, and are open to everyone. You’ll have the chance to meet and hold owls, falcons and other birds. It’s free to come along and a great chance to take a break from revision. For details of all the events taking place, please visit the Residence Life Team website.
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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