Getting Support
Seeking help when you need it is a crucial part of the uni journey.
Navigating uni coursework can be a challenge! Seeking help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.
Adaptive help-seeking is the best way to make sure you keep improving in the long term.
Here are some important facets of adaptive help-seeking:
- Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth to figure out when to seek assistance.
- Do practice quizzes and assessment questions so you know which concepts you could use some clarification on.
- Understand how you learn best so you can seek out the kind of support that will work for you.
- Form study groups or sign up for uni peer study groups or mentoring programs.
- Pro tip: Don't wait for problems to become urgent—reach out early!
If one approach doesn’t work, try another until you find what suits you best!
Where can I go to get support with my studies at uni?
Tutors and lecturers
“Tutors and lecturers are not daunting people; they love what they do and are more than happy to guide you.” – Tahrima
- Lecturers are experts in their field (e.g. holding PhDs) while tutors are normally more junior academics.
- Together, lecturers and tutors conduct all the classes and mark all your assessments for the course.
- Lecturers and tutors will make themselves available outside of class time to help students, usually for a set hour or two each week.
- The best way to ask your tutor or lecturer for help is to send them an email (check out the templates below) or approach them after class. Remember, you can always ask to make a time to sit down and talk some through or get more feedback on your work.
Pro tip: Because they set exam questions and mark your assessments, it pays to listen to them carefully when they give assessment or exam advice!
Academic support services
“I reached out to this service at my uni that helps structure your writing. They helped me restructure an assignment and I did really well! It gave me confidence as well on how to approach future assignments.” – Peter
At every uni, there are academic support services available. Here are some useful ones you might find at your uni:
- Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): Run by senior students in your area of study, PASS is usually weekly sessions where you can go over the week's content with others in your class and clear up any questions
- Peer Mentoring pairs you up with a more senior student in your area of study who can help you understand course content and settle into uni
- Academic skills tools: Most unis offer online resources or in-person or online sessions that offer tips on studying and how to write uni essays and other assessments
- Library services: All uni libraries will offer advice on how to research properly for your assessments and how to reference properly (both critical skills for doing well at uni!)
- Writing centres: Most unis will have online tools or in-person sessions aimed at supporting you to improve your academic writing. Often you’ll be asked to present a draft of a piece of writing and you’ll be supported to improve on it.
Learning from classmates
“I’ve made incredible long-lasting connections that will last beyond my university degree, which I’m extremely grateful for.” – Julian
Discussing academic content with other students in your classes is one of the most common ways to seek help.
Here are some things you could try:
- Form a study group with people in your course so that you can tackle difficult concepts together, collaborate on understanding assessments and quiz each other on important topics.
- Courses at uni will often have online forums, social media groups, or messaging apps where you can connect ask questions and share resources or study tips.
- Join a club or society related to your academic interests to meet like-minded peers and engage in academic discussions and activities.
- Pro tip: look-up“*your uni* *your course* society/club” e.g. “UoN Psychology Society”
Tips on approaching lecturers and tutors
Approaching lectures or tutors can be intimidating at first, but it’s often the best way to get the guidance you’re after. Remember, they are there to support you and help you learn!
Here are eight tips for approaching lecturers and tutors and email templates for you to copy and paste when you need to reach out!
Emailing your lecturer or tutor
Want to reach out to your tutor or lecturer but not sure how to write the email?
Cut and paste the templates provided, fill in the blanks,
and you’re good to go!
Reflect
Journalling is a great way to self-reflect.
It can help you reflect on your successes, and setbacks and consider how you might change course to keep your goals on track.
Try these prompts throughout your first term/semester to hone your skills at getting the right help and the right time.