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Academic Issues

• Seek an Extension
  Consider seeking an extension to your academic deadlines (essays, thesis, coursework) until the issues you are dealing with are resolved or eased.  This is done in consultation with the academic staff of your school. Academic Staff are the only people with the authority to grant such an extension so you should make sure you meet and talk to the appropriate member of academic staff.
  
  
• Defer Exams
  Again this can only be done in consultation with and with the express permission of your College.  The College will be concerned that a student is not seeking or will not be given an unfair academic advantage by sitting exams at a time other than at the scheduled time.  However, circumstances can and do arise when fairness dictates that exams should be deferred.  The College will need independent verification of these circumstances such as a doctor’s cert, a letter from a counsellor or chaplain or other authoritative third-party verification.

• Consider a “Year Out”

  Undergraduates
  You might think about deferring a year of study – you should discuss this with your College or School Office in the first instance and also ensure you check out Fee implications by talking with the Fees Office. 

  Postgraduates
  Research Postgraduate Students may seek a leave of absence for reasons such as ill health, maternity leave etc. Such an application is handled by the relevant College or School Office. You may also seek advice from the Graduate Studies Office.

  Only formally granted ’leaves of absence’ are subtracted when completion times are being calculated. 
  Requests for leave of absence should be submitted to the College for approval.

• Take a break from study
  It is always possible and sometimes strongly advisable to take a couple of days off lectures, tutorials or study.  Such a break can ease stress and sometimes gives a fresh perspective.  Arrangements can easily be made with a University School or College. Contact your College or School Office.

• Talking to a member of the academic staff
  If the issues are of an academic nature, you should discuss them with a Lecturer, Professor, Course Head, Head of School, Tutor or Student Coordinator.  You can choose who you wish to speak with.  You should choose someone with whom you feel comfortable and should speak honestly, outlining the situation in full.  Academic staff will not make things worse and may be able to outline possibilities and opportunities that you have not yet have considered.  Other students will have found themselves in a similar situation to yours and the university may very well have the capacity to respond with flexibility.  However, little can be done if staff are not aware of the issues involved.

• Improve Study Skills 
  
  Check out http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/documents/Study_Skills.html
  
  Join a study circle of friends or classmates to share information.
  Such a group can provide affirmation and support as well as giving a context to your study. There are a number of locations on campus, other than the library or reading-rooms which you might find more conducive to your style of study. 
  
  You may require grinds in a particular subject. 
  Your school may be able to direct you in this matter.  The Students Union also keep a register of students willing to give grinds (see ’financial issues’ below for possible sources of funding for grinds).
  
  Consider doing things differently.
  What you are doing now may very well not be working.  It may be possible to change the way, the time, the location of your study.

 

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