Are you thinking about dropping out of university?

Before you make a decision about postponing or leaving your studies, it is important to assess your options so that you can make a decision that is right for you.

WRONG COURSE CHOICE

• the course isn't what you thought it would be
• you didn't really want to do this course, but it seemed the best option at the time
• the work is much harder than you expected and you realise now that you don't have some of the assumed knowledge

STUDY PROBLEMS

• can't keep up with the workload
• study techniques that worked in high school don't seem to be effective at Uni
• can't concentrate and feel you're losing motivation
• worried that you might fail

PERSONAL ISSUES

• personal problems interfere with study
• University feels too big and unfriendly
• missing family and friends
• hard to live in shared accommodation

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

• hard to make ends meet financially

HEALTH/ EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS

• health and/or emotional problems have affected studying and you feel you have fallen behind

Before you take any action to discontinue from all or part of your degree program, follow the five-step plan outlined below:

1. CONSIDER what you want to do and why
2. TALK to an appropriate person about your intentions
3. LIST YOUR OPTIONS and the consequences for you
4. DECIDE what you are going to do
5. ENSURE that you complete all the formalities associated with the decision you have made

ISSUE	ACTION	CONTACT
I've chosen the wrong course	Talk with your Course Co-ordinator or Academic Advisor	Faculty/School
	Talk with a University Counsellor	Counselling Service
	Seek advice from the Careers Centre	Careers Centre Level 1, Mackie Bldg 93513481
	Add one or more subjects	Faculty/School or Counselling Service (see Faculty Handbook for dates changes can be made without penalty)
	Drop one or more subjects	Faculty/School or Counselling Service (see Faculty Handbook for dates changes can be made without penalty)
	Transfer from one course to another	Contact the preferred Faculty and UAC for admission requirements
My study techniques don't seem to work any more	Talk with Learning Centre staff and enrol for study skills workshops	Learning Centre
I feel stressed and anxious	See a Counsellor	Counselling Service
I have financial problems	Speak with Financial Assistance Office staff	Financial Assistance Office
I feel lost and lonely - Uni is so big and unfriendly	See a Counsellor	Counselling Service
	Join societies, clubs and other University activities	University Union Wentworth Building 95636000
	Form a study group with others from your course
I have personal problems which interfere with study	Speak with a Counsellor	Counselling Service
	Seek advice from Academic Adviser	Faculty/School
Ill-health is affecting my studies	See a doctor at the University Health Service or elsewhere; you will need a medical certificate for special consideration, extensions or applications for leave from study. Complete a Request for Special Consideration Form.	University Health Service Level 3, Wentworth Bldg 9351 3484 Holme Bldg 9351 4095 Student Centre Carslaw Bldg 93513023/2577 for Special Consideration Forms
I can't keep up with the work load	See Lecturer/Academic/Adviser/Tutor	Faculty/School
	Communication problem? Language problem? See Learning Centre	Learning Centre
	Learning disability? See Disability Services	Disability Service
	Speak with a Counsellor	Counselling Service
I have accommodation problems	Talk to staff at the Accommodation Service	Accommodation Service
I have lots of problems	See a Counsellor for clarification and advice re: appropriate sources of help	Counselling Service
I need to organise child-care	Contact Child Care Co-ordinator	Child Care Co-ordinator (Student Services)
I feel unable to continue studies because of a major disruption	See a Counsellor/Faculty Adviser about your options	Counselling Service, Faculty/School

Variation of enrolment
Students should check the statements of enrolment posted to their semester address registered with the university. Variations of enrolment can be made via the Internet (access via The University of Sydney home page Intranet) or through the Faculty Office by the due date. Simply advising your lecturer or the department is not sufficient. Some important terms are listed below:

Withdrawn (W)
This is the same as if you had not enrolled in the unit of study concerned. The University has a record of the withdrawal, but it does not appear on the official transcript of academic record. There is no HECS liability either, provided that you notify your Faculty on or before the deadline ­ normally the last working day in March in Semester One, and the last working day in August for Semester Two. Check dates in Faculty Handbook.

Discontinued Not to count as failure (DNF)
This does not count as an attempt at the particular unit of study but does appear on your academic record. In order to have a unit of study regarded as 'DNF', you must notify the Faculty by the relevant deadline for each semester - consult your Faculty Office or Handbook. In cases of serious illness or misadventure, you may be able to apply for a 'DNF' after the normal dates.

Discontinued Fail (DF)
This counts as an unsuccessful attempt at the unit of study concerned and appears on your academic record. If you notify your faculty after the deadline for 'DNF', but before the last day of lectures for the unit of study, the result is 'Discontinued-Fail'.

Absent Fail
If a student misses the deadline for 'Discontinued' and does not sit the final exam, the result is 'absent fail'.

Withdrawal and Discontinuation for first-year students
First Year students who withdraw totally must reapply for admission through UAC. First Year students who discontinue totally (either 'DNF' or 'DF') may be asked to show cause why they should be permitted to re-enrol.

Course Leave / Suspending Candidature
Students may be permitted to apply for a period away from their course without losing their place. Policies vary across Faculties. Contact your Faculty Adviser.

Remember: If you decide to vary your enrolment in any way, your form obtained from Student Centre - must be lodged with the Faculty Office before the relevant dates. Dropping subjects may affect your eligibility for Austudy / Youth Allowance and travel concession. Check the effects of variations in enrolment on Austudy eligibility before you make any changes. You can see the SRC Welfare staff for assistance with Austudy matters, ph 9351 2871.

If you are an International Student, dropping subjects may have visa implications. Also, deadlines for making changes to your units of study may be different. Contact the International Student Services Unit, Services Building, ph 9351 4749, for assistance as early as possible.

For further information talk with the staff at your Faculty Office, at the Student Centre, or with a Counsellor at the Counselling Service.

Accommodation Service
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 3312 Fax: 9351 8262 TTY: 9351 3412

Casual Employment Service
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 8714 Fax: 9351 8715 TTY: 9351 3412

Counselling Service
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 2228 Fax: 9351 7055 TTY: 9351 3412

Disability Services
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 4554 Fax: 9351 7055 TTY: 9351 3412

Child Care Coordinator
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel:9351 5667 Fax: 9351 7055 TTY: 9351 3412

Financial Assistance Office
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 2416 Fax: 9351 7055 TTY: 9351 3412

Learning Centre
Level 7, Education Building A35
Tel: 9351 3853 Fax: 9351 4865 TTY: 9351 3412

Mathematics Learning Centre
Room 441 Level 4 Carslaw Bldg FO7
Tel: 9351 4061 Fax: 9351 5797 TTY: 9351 3412
http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/mlc/

Careers Centre
Ground Floor Mackie Bldg KO1
Tel: 9351 3481 Fax: 9351 5134

Koori Centre
Room U223 Old Teacher's College Bldg A22
Tel: 9351 2046 Fax: 9351 6923

International Student Services Unit
International Student Centre
Services Building G12
Tel: 9351 4749 Fax: 9351 4013

Information prepared by Ed Lukaszewski for the Counselling Service, University of Sydney.

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