Support for Long-Term Academic Consideration
While we appreciate that almost every university student has their share of late nights and feelings of being overwhelmed at times. Learning to manage your studies to minimize those times and maintain a healthy balance is a life lesson that will be useful to you at university and beyond.
Resources to Help Support You
- Medical Services are available through Health and Counselling Services.
- For Mental Health resources, visit the Mental Health and Wellness website to help you determine the level of support required based on your specific needs. The Health and Counselling Services website also offers mental health services.
- Various services exist to help you manage your workload and to make the most of your study time. Visit the Centre for Student Academic Support website to learn more about booking a study skills appointment. You may also want to consider consulting with the From Intention to Action (FITA) office or the Science Student Success Centre for personalized academic support.
- The Paul Menton Centre can help with accommodations for ongoing medical issues.
- The Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities as well as the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement are also important resources available to support you.
Deferring Term Work with Your Instructor
Decisions and deadlines regarding extensions for term work, including final assignments, are handled between the instructor and student.
Rules and regulations around deferring term work can be found in section 4.4 in the Undergraduate Calendar. Please note that in the event that the altered due date goes beyond the last day of the term, the instructor will assign a grade of zero for the work not submitted and submit the final grade accordingly. Since there is no missed deferred process for term work, if you do not submit the work by the date specified by your instructor, your grade will remain a “0” for that work.
When working with your instructor, here are a few tips:
- make sure that you have the extended due date confirmed in writing;
- if you have more than one assignment, for example 2 small assignments, then it is a good idea to stagger the due dates;
- if you have deferred assignments in more than one course, it may be a good idea to complete the work in one course before moving on to the work in the next course;
- there is no missed deferral process for term work. If the work is not submitted, the grade of “0” will remain.
Your Academic Plan
Your academic plan has to consider your individual situation, your goals, and your resources. If it is a medical issue, the first place to start is with your health professional. Here are some questions you may wish to ask your them, given your medical situation and treatment plan:
- From a medical perspective, should there be limitations on your course load?
- Will you need ongoing accommodations and support?
- If so, consider whether you should be accessing resources through the Paul Menton Centre, the Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS), and/or Health and Counselling?
- How could your medical situation continue to impact your studies?
In addition to accessing support services, you may also need to reassess your course load. You will want to consider things such as where you are in the academic term (see more information below), the courses you need to take, and managing your studies to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- For questions about academic planning, see your Academic Advisor.
- For questions about the potential impact of withdrawal on financial aid, contact the Awards and Financial Aid Office.
- International Students should consult with the International Students Services Office before withdrawing from courses.
The Beginning of Term to the Academic Withdrawal Deadline
The academic withdrawal deadline is the deadline to withdraw from courses in good standing. Make sure you know when that deadline is for the term.
Tip: if you can, deciding ahead of the deadline is less stressful than making it on the day of the deadline.
After the Academic Withdrawal Deadline to the End of Classes
If something unexpected happens after the academic withdrawal deadline and you want to investigate if you can be considered for late withdrawal, you can review the information on submitting a petition.
Keep in mind:
- that a petition will require supporting documentation (a self-declaration form cannot be used to support a petition),
- there is no guarantee that a petition will be granted, and
- if you have petitioned before, petition consideration will factor in any advice previously given.
Please keep in contact with your instructor about your situation, as decisions about the academic consideration request will be communicated by the instructor.