Written by Nikki McGuinness
I would like to kick off my first blog for the year by welcoming you all back! I hope you are all settling into your courses/subjects in readiness for a positive and productive session.
We all know that when studying at a tertiary level, there is an expectation that students can effectively manage their studies with their personal/family life and their work responsibilities while complying with the relevant policies and procedures. We all strive to achieve superior results, unfortunately at some stage or another, some of us may face challenges that interfere with our studies and impact on our academic performance.
Back in November last year, I wrote a blog titled ‘What to do when you fail a subject’ where I discussed my mental health issues and how it has impacted my studies. I won’t go over the details but I will say that it was humbling to learn that it was quite well received by students with whom it resonated; and it even encouraged some students to enquire about what services are available at Charles Sturt.
This blog is a follow up which I hope will help other students avoid failing more subjects than I care to count, and what better time to publish it with the commencement of another Session.
Lucky for us, Charles Sturt provides a range of support services to assist students with a variety of matters. I have personally engaged with a number of these services and I encourage other students to do the same if they feel they could use some additional support.
The support services available include:
Academic Progress Support
If you fail more than 50% of your subjects in a session you may be at risk of exclusion from the course or losing Commonwealth assistance.
Unsatisfactory academic progress is assessed on the following:
- Rate of progress – failing multiple subjects affects this.
- Repeated fails – failing a subject multiple times.
- Maximum time – exceeding maximum course duration.
- Workplace learning (WPL) – failing compulsory WPL requirements.
There are three stages:
- Support offered
- Support required
- Considered for exclusion
Contact Academic Progress Support here.
Academic Skills Help
Involves self-paced learning, workshops, one on one training, online courses and assessment writing feedback.
Can assist with:
- Planning and efficiency
- Reading and note-taking
- Grammar and spelling
- Academic writing
- Referencing
Contact Academic Skills Help here.
Student Ruth Davis shares her experience with the Academic Skills Team in her story here.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support Team
Provides support to students affected by:
- Mental health conditions
- Medical conditions
- Physical conditions
Can tailor reasonable adjustments for individual students with the following supports:
- Alternative exam conditions
- Extensions of time to complete assessments
- Workplace learning supports
Contact the Accessibility and Inclusion Support Team here.
Student Eva Kent shares her experience with the Accessibility and Inclusion Support Team in her story here.
Advocacy and Support Team
Provides advice and assistance to students in navigating rules, policies and procedures.
Advise on and assist with the following:
- Appeals process
- Academic progress
- Review of grade
- Special consideration
- Feedback/complaints
- Dropping out of uni/cancelling enrolment
- Course transfer
- Withdrawing from a subject
- Defer course
Contact the Advocacy and Support Team here.
Michelle Curry shares her story with the Advocacy and Support Team in her story here.
Careers and Skills Team
Provides assistance on:
- Career advice
- Preparing job applications
- Interview practice
- Employability skills
Contact the Careers and Skills Team here.
Michelle Bradshaw shares her experience with the Careers and Skills Team in her story here.
Club Support
Provides assistance on:
- Joining a club
- Starting a club
- Club management resources
Contact the Club Support Team here.
Counselling
Is free and confidential, and provides guidance on:
- Mental health issues
- Wellbeing/mindfulness
- Suicide, grief and loss
Contact the Counselling service here.
Mikayla Murphy shares her experience with the Counselling Support Team in her story here.
Equity and Diversity Support
Provides specific support services in relation to:
- Living in rural and remote and low socioeconomic regions
- Cultural and linguistic diversity
- Refugee and humanitarian visa holder students
- LGBTIQA+ community, diverse sexuality, sex and gender identities
Contact the Equity and Diversity Support Service here.
Financial Support Services
Provides assistance on:
- Fees
- Scholarships
- Financial support
Contact the Financial Support Services here.
First Nations Students Support
Provides assistance on:
- General advice
- Scholarships
Contact First Nations Students Support here.
International Students Support
Provides assistance on:
- Adjusting to life and study in Australia
- Managing student visa requirements and health cover issues
Contact the International Students Support here.
Mina Subesa shares her experience with the International Students Support Team in her story here.
Legal Services
Provides assistance on:
- Legal advice
- Justice of the Peace
- Ombudsman
- Student misconduct support
Contact the Legal Services Support here.
The complete Student Services Directory can be accessed here. If you have difficulty finding information on a particular issue, reach out to Student Central.
