Academic Welfare

CUSU Academic Support

JCR Academic Support
If you have any issues that you would rather not go directly to see your Tutor or DoS about, get in touch with your friendly neighbourhood JCR Academic Affairs Officer. Send an email to Declan at academic-affairs@jcr.dow.cam.ac.uk
This is perfect if you would like some impartial, anonymous (if you don’t use your cam email address) advice about anything related to your studies. If James can’t deal with the issue, and it’s OK with you, he’ll pass your information on to someone who can.

Tutorial Times

The Tutors are normally available to see their students in College at the times below during Full Term. They can be seen at other times by appointment and such appointments should be made via email. In an emergency contact the Tutorial and Admissions Office (or the Porters Lodge out of office hours). If there is a particular problem about which you prefer to consult another Tutor rather than your own you are welcome to do so at one of the advertised times for that Tutor.

Tutorial and Admissions Office Opening hours: 10:30-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Monday - Friday (closes early at 16:00 on Friday)

Term Tips

Take time off

Time off work is very important and can be hard to get round to especially in first year. It is possible to take time off varying between half a day to two days a week, depending on how disciplined you are with your work. Make sure that you use time off effectively, and do what you love doing!

Sports

Many students cut sport out of their lives when they arrive at university because they think they won’t have time. THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. Make sure you keep up with sport, as it will make you feel good physically, reduce stress and boost your mood. There are loads of college sports, as well as the college gym.

Sleep

It can be hard to balance social life and sleep, especially for freshers. It’s important to find your rhythm, and know how much is too much. Get to know your body, and how many hours of sleep you need every night and take naps during the day if you feel like you need to.

Eat well

Eating healthily is very important for its long term effects, but it is also important on the short term to defend yourself against illnesses. So make sure you are always eating enough fruit and veg, and have a balanced diet, to avoid that annoying mid term cold!

Friends

Make time for friends! These are the people you will be with for the next three or four years, and life at Cambridge has its ups and downs for everyone one way or another so LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER!

Take life step by step

Life at Cambridge can be quite overwhelming at times, so its important to take it step by step, and not sweat the small stuff. If things get too much, you always have your support team and welfare officers there to support you.

Study in different places

To keep your brain stimulated especially in exam term, you can vary your study environment. Most department libraries are open to all. Find new places to study on spacefinder.

Subject Letters

Here are letters written by second and third year students about their subject, and what first year is like. Please feel free to contact these people for more information.

SAS – Student Advice Service

The Student Advice Service offers free, confidential and independent support to all Cambridge University students. You can come to the service with any issues or problems that you might experience as a student. You can either make an appointment or attend a drop in session.

Drop-ins:
12pm-2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Graduate Union, 17 Mill Lane.

Changing subjects

If you would like to change subjects you must contact your DoS and tutor, and they will be able to guide you through the process.

Intermission

Intermission is an authorised break from study. If you wish to intermit contact you tutor and your DoS, and they will guide you through. Click for more information on intermission.

There is a very useful Guide to Intermission created by the CUSU welfare officers which contains information on what intermitting actually is, coming back to Cambridge and who you can talk to.

There is also an intermission solidarity facebook group.

Exam warning

If for some reason you are at a disadvantage when sitting an exam, for example if you have been suffering with an illness for while and it has impacted on your studies, you can apply through your tutor for exam warning. Find out more about exam warning.