Grief and your study
Studying at university can be both exciting and challenging. It may be a time when you generally feel confident and positive about your study and future. The very last thing on your mind might be losing someone to illness, accident, suicide, violent death, or natural disaster. But it can happen.
It could be a family member, a friend, a lecturer or tutor, or even your pet. The death might be predictable and expected (such as terminal illness) or sudden and unexpected (such as accident or suicide). But regardless of how or when your loved one died, your world may never be the same again.
While you are grieving, your study may be affected. For example, you may:
- feel unmotivated to attend lectures or tutorials
- lose concentration in your study
- have difficulty remembering what you've studied
- have difficulty completing your assignments or preparing for your exams
It is important that you acknowledge these limitations, even if they are only temporary. Actively seek help at an early stage so that your grief will not jeopardize your study. For instance, you could discuss the impact of grief on your study with your lecturers or tutors, or you could talk to university counsellors and they could help you:
- understand the grieving process and develop strategies to help manage your grief and study
- apply for extensions for your assignments
- apply for deferred exams (PDF 188kb - opens in new window. Download Adobe Acrobat)
- apply for special consideration (PDF 211kb - opens in new window. Download Adobe Acrobat)
- apply for amendment to enrolment and fees in special circumstances (PDF 174kb - opens in new window. Download Adobe Acrobat)
- take leave of absence (for domestic student - PDF 87kb, opens in new window; for international student - PDF 35kb, opens in new window. Download Adobe Acrobat)
If you need further suggestions and strategies of how to manage your grief
and your study, please make an
appointment with a counsellor in the Learning and Teaching Unit on
your campus.
Useful resources
About Grief and Loss Resources and Education
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement - the largest provider of grief and bereavement education in Australia, links to many other grief related websites, and information to the peer-reviewed journal Grief Matters
Grief Link - a South Australian based information resource on death-related grief for the community and professionals
About Depression
Beyond Blue - a comprehensive and excellent website which provides tips, information, personal stories, and links on depression and anxiety
About Sudden Death and Natural Disaster
Beyond Indigo - general information on violent and sudden death, forgiveness, and survivor guilt
Coping with deaths in road accidents - a website which provides specific resources for those who have lost their loved ones in road accidents
About Palliative Care
Palliative Care Council of South Australia Inc - an information resource on palliative care services provided in South Australia and nationally
The Cancer Council of South Australia - provides cancer-related education, counselling, palliative care, research, publication, and resources
About Suicide
LIFE- 'Living is for Everyone', provides the best available evidence and resources in suicide and self-harm prevention activities
About Bereavement Services Offer by Centrelink
Needing help after someone has died (Booklet) - information on various types of bereavement assistance such as bereavement payment, allowance, income support options, and general information about grief
About Funeral Homes
South Australia Funerals Guide - a list of funeral homes in South Australia
Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) - provides practical information about what to do when someone dies as well as a list of AFDA member in each state and territory
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