With many new students coming to the University in September, I would like to give some brief information to cover Student Services and the different teams within from a student’s perspective. As a new student (as well as returning students) it’s important that you are aware of the services that the University provides that can help support and aid you in a range of different situations. Coming to University on your own for the first time can be a really daunting but you aren’t alone, there a teams on hand to help you with what ever you need and hopefully the information below will put your mind at ease.
Firstly the Student Services is located in the Carrington Building on Whiteknights Campus, where the Student Services Reception can be found. The Reception deals with a whole range of issue such as issuing campus cards outside, replacement campus cards, official letters, certifying card applications, ID/VISA checks for UK students, transcripts, general enquiries, maps/advice, verifications for past study, assistance with Council Taz enquiries and authorising student Oyster card applications online. You can also contact Student Services via phone 0118 378 5555 (phone lines are open from 09:00) or email: studenthelp@reading.ac.uk. All of these services are entirely free of charge and available to all UoR students.
Student Wellbeing Services
The Student Wellbeing Services cover three sections, Counselling and Wellbeing, The Student Welfare Team and the Disabilty Advisory Services. Each of the 3 services can be accessed by phone call or by email, or by visiting the Reception in the Carrington building.
This team deals with emotional wellbeing and mental health and any problems you may be having in terms of counselling. They provide one-to-one support (either in-person, over the phone or on Teams), group sessions, workshops and online guidance to onward referrals for further support. The team work throughout the year to help students manage a wide range of issues, minimising the impact of any problems on their academic progress. The service offers support including one-to-one (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.
This team advises and supports students with any personal difficulties during University, such as: settling in/adjusting to Uni, crisis support, difficulties with flatmates, family/relationship issues, harassment/bullying, drug/alcohol issues, victim of violence (crime, sexual, domestic), struggling to manage carer responsibilities, worried about coping with studies/Uni life, concerns about a friend and if you don’t know where to go for help.
There is a wealth of welfare resources which gives you access and contact to external or specialist support. You can also complete a ‘Student Wellness Check’ as an online self-assessment tool to identify the right support regarding your particular situation and circumstances.
Disability Advisory Service (DAS)
DAS provides advice and guidance to students with physical disabilities & long term medical conditions, sensory disabilities, mental health difficulties and specific learning differences (SpLDs). You can register via the RISIS Portal with an ‘Online Registration form’.
If you have a disability, it is important to register to get the help and support you need to make your experience at the University as pleasant and well accommodated as possible. They help support and create adjustments to aid your University life and experience which can be discussed with a Disability Advisor, for example for: teaching/learning, exams/assessment, library support, assistive technology, academic/social mentoring, assistance animals, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) and other sources of support. You can also find here accessible accommodation for adjusted rooms and find out about campus accessibility.
Student Financial Support Team
The Student Financial Support team are available to give advice and support to students regarding their finances and any money difficulties, questions and/or concerns they may be having.
They offer advice about the ‘Cost of Living’ and budgeting, and give sources to any bursaries and funding you may be eligible for. They also give information about your tuition fees and how they should be paid. In addition to this, all University of Reading students have free access to ‘Blackbullion’, which is a Student Finance app to help budget and manage your finances during your time at the Uni.
As many new students will be in charge of their own finances for the first time starting September, getting guidance and information about budgeting and making smart decisions with money will allow this transition to become easier and make sure you are well aware of the best ways to allocate your resources. This is an essential life skill that you should start practicing and learning about as soon as possible to help prevent any financial difficulties.
International Student Advisory Team
The International Student Advisory Team are available to help any international students that require advice regarding visas, immigration, living in the UK etc. can find information and support using this service. You can also make appointments via the RISIS Portal for any queries you may have. Although I do not have personal experience with this service, there is a lot of information using the link I have provided for a wide variety of different international advice.
Careers and Placements Team
The Careers and Placements Team offer advice and support regarding career options, placements, the RED Award Scheme and much more.
You can book appointments (either in-person or online depending on which you wish to have) to better understand future career options, get help/advice regarding your CV, improve your interview skills as well as information on placements options. If you wish to get a better idea and work on your employability and professional skills, you can contact the Careers and Placements Team to speak to someone who is best equipped to deal with your questions/concerns and situation. Although during your first year you may not know what career you wish to pursue, getting an idea and working on your CV and employable skills early will give you a boost and hopefully ease some anxiety about your future options.
In addition to this the RED Award mentioned above can provide you with some of these skills (e.g. paid work/internships, volunteering, training/development) and show employers you can put what you have learn to action. Information on the 3 different RED Awards (RED Award, RED Sustainable Action Award, RED Global Engagement Award).
Campus Jobs
Campus Jobs are a fantastic way to earn a bit of extra money as a student. You can easily apply online, the jobs are on Campus and they provide flexible hours as you will be spending a lot of your time studying. Students can work up to 20 hours per week, and this may help with any financial difficulties during the year, or help you save up while at Uni. You get paid at the end of each month, and enter any hours worked on a timesheet on the Campus Jobs website. Overall this is an excellent way to earn a bit of extra cash while fitting around your busy schedule while being a student.
Support Centres (separate to Student Support Services)
In addition to the Student Support Services, you can also get advice and support from the Support Centres.
Staffed by the Student Support Coordinators, the Support Centres can point you in the right direction for any questions and concerns you have regarding both academic and non-academic issues. These can include: module/programme advice, timetable queries, coursework/exam queries, exceptional circumstances (ECs), financial support, disability assistance, placements, welfare/wellbeing, transfers, suspensions, withdrawals, Academic Engagement, appeals/complaints and academic study support.
If some of these seem familiar by now, this is because this team will direct you to the specialised teams mentioned above (e.g. for financial support, placements, welfare/wellbeing). This team has a slightly wider scope than the Student Services, such as also dealing with academic issues (as mentioned above). Therefore if you are unsure who exactly you should contact or what service you need, the Support Centres is there to guide you and provide contact details to the correct place or your situation and circumstance.
Hopefully this blog will give you a good insight into the different support teams that are available to you at the University of Reading. All of these services are free and available to all UoR students, and are extremely helpful in a wide variety of different situations. They will be able to guide and support you with any difficulties or concerns you may have during your time here.