Exam periods can be stressful. Please know you do not need to tackle stress on your own, the University of Reading has a number of support services and resources available to help you:
Exam Pages on Essentials
The exam pages on Essentials are a great place to start if you’re unsure of anything
exam-related. These include information about extenuating circumstances, special
exam arrangements, FAQs and revision tools.
Student Support Coordinators
Each school has a Student Support Coordinator who is dedicated to helping you with
any queries you may have about your course or other aspects of student life. They’re
available to talk about all issues impacting your student experience, including teaching,
learning, and wellbeing, and can even help with things like submitting extenuating
circumstances (EC) requests.
The Welfare Team
The Student Welfare Team are here to support you with any personal difficulties you
are facing – this could consist of signposting you to specialist support and advice
services, giving advice or information, or even just talking things through with
you.
To book an appointment, email studentwelfare@reading.ac.uk and ask to arrange an appointment with one of the Welfare Officers.
The Welfare Team are located in the Carrington Building, and offer a drop-in service Monday – Friday, 13:00-16:00. You can go to the front desk of reception of the Carrington Building, and ask to speak to the Welfare Team.
If you’re not based at the Whiteknights campus and it’s not convenient to drop in, you can call 0118 378 4777 Monday – Friday between 10:00 and 16:00 to speak a member of the team and arrange an appointment if needed.
Counselling and Wellbeing
The Counselling and Wellbeing Team work to help students through a wide range of
issues. They offer support including one-to-one appointments (either face to face, on
the phone or over Teams), groups, workshops, online guidance and onward referrals to
other support services, and is open to all registered students (undergraduate or
postgraduate) at the University, free of charge.
If you would like support, you can register with the service online.
For general enquiries please call us on 0118 378 4216 or email Counselling@reading.ac.uk
Study Advice guides and videos
You can find lots of exams guidance on the Study Advice Guides page. Here you
can find exam tips, exam room strategies, and information on how to prepare for
different types of questions.
Study Advice 1-2-1 help.
If you want advice on your exam revision technique or strategies to deal with exams, then you can speak to a Study Adviser. You can book a 30 minute session with a Study Adviser, or just turn up to our daily drop-ins, if you have a quick query. Drop-ins are available Monday to Friday from 1-2pm in the Library, and 1-2-1s are available every weekday online or in person.
The Student Union
The RUSU Advice service are available support students with any academic, housing or money issues which they are facing during the exam season and outside of it:
- In person drop-ins take place on Wednesdays between 12noon and 4pm
- Virtual drop-ins on Tuesday evenings between 5pm and 7pm, and Friday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm.
Students who want to contact us outside of a drop-in times can complete the online form, and the RUSU Advice team will get back to them as soon as possible.
The Student Union are re hosting bi-weekly support sessions, in collaboration with No5 Counselling Service.
On Wednesday 17 May, Wednesday 31 May, and Wednesday 7 June the sessions will be focusing on exam stress. The sessions will be held from 17:00 – 18:00 in upper 3Sixty.
There are a maximum of 15 slots per month, so make sure to book your slot in advance.
You can sign up to these sessions by emailing enquiries@rusu.co.uk, or visiting reception in RUSU weekdays between 9am-5pm to register your attendance.
Life Tools
Life Tools will be running a series of webinars throughout the summer term to support with exams. Including topics such as mindfulness for exam prep, stress, motivation, and preventing procrastination. You can view the full list of webinars, and reserve your spot, on the Life Tools page on Essentials.
The Chaplaincy Team
The University’s team of chaplains offer to support students of any faith or none. Drop-in to the Chaplaincy Centre (Monday-Friday, 9-5pm) or contact them to make an appointment (chaplaincy@reading.ac.uk). As well as listening, faith support, and general social activities, the chaplains also host mindfulness workshops and daily food events. The Chaplaincy Centre and garden is open as a quiet space and has a kitchen.
Best of luck in your exams this term!
If exam period feels overwhelming, and you feel like you need extra or urgent support, then please visit the emergency and urgent help page on Essentials.