PhD Wellbeing
Wellbeing during your PhD
A PhD is challenging and it is important that you look after your whole self; and this includes your wellbeing too.
On this page you will find resources which will help you think about how you look after yourself ( or your colleagues); understand that some of what you are feeling is very common (academic imposter syndrome is very common amongst many of us); and some hints for dealing with practical challenges such as procrastination or writers block.
These resources are not a replacement for speaking to a professional or seeking professional help.
Please check the Wellbeing Services resource page to see how you can access more support and guidance
Emergency
If you are concerned about someone's wellbeing or mental health and are on campus and require out of hours emergency help contact Community Safety on 024 7652 2222 or read Wellbeing's emergency contact information
If you are off campus then call the Emergency services on 999To gain confidential advice you can speak to
Helping students in distress (Researcher Development Guide)
RDO Wellbeing workshops
Coming up this Autumn we have workshops to support your Wellbeing, Mental Health and Productivity.
All our MH sessions are delivered by our Psychologist specialist and facilitator, Frane Vusio.
We will be starting our Autumn Programme on 6th October. Bookings open on 10th September We look forward to seeing you then.
RDO Autumn - Wellbeing & Productivity Focus Pillar ( bookings open 10th September)
| 01/10/2025 | 13.00-14.00 | 10 Things I Wish I'd Known at the Start of my PhD | Book |
| 02/10/2025 | 10.00-11.00 | 10 Things I Wish I'd Known at the Start of my PhD | Book |
| 02/10/2025 | 13.00-14.00 | 10 Things I Wish I'd Known at the Start of my PhD | Book |
| 03/10/2025 | 10.00-11.00 | 10 Things I Wish I'd Known at the Start of my PhD | Book |
| 06/10/2025 | 13.00-14.30 | PhD Middle years – charting and preparing for the next 18 months | Book |
| 07/10/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Visualising your Research: how visuals can help plan your PhD | Book |
| 07/10/2025 | 13.30-15.00 | Preparing for your Viva | Book |
| 09/10/2025 | 17.30-19.00 | What Resilience means for Researchers | Book |
| 15/10/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Research Planning for your First Year | Book |
| 16/10/2025 | 13.00-14.30 | Preparing for your Upgrade | Book |
| 21/10/2025 | 13.00-14.30 | 7 Steps to PhD Completion | Book |
| 23/10/2025 | 17.30-19.00 | How to prevent burnout during your PhD | Book |
| 05/11/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Research Planning for your First Year | Book |
| 06/11/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Preparing for your Upgrade | Book |
| 06/11/2025 | 17.30-19.30 | Problem-Solving for a Smoother PhD Journey: from fog to focus | Book |
| 10/11/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Assertiveness for Researchers: Communicating & Collaborating | Book |
| 10/11/2025 | 13.00-14.30 | Part-time PhD - Part-time responsibilities: How to juggle work, life & research | Book |
| 12/11/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Research Planning Part 2 - aims & objectives | Book |
| 20/11/2025 | 17.30-19.00 | Emotional Intelligence for Researchers | Book |
| 21/11/2025 | 11.00-12.30 | Goal Setting: going forward | Book |
| 24/11/2025 | 13.00-16.00 | Effective Researcher (in person session) | Book |
| 28/11/2025 | 10.30-12.00 | Dealing with Impostor Syndrome | Book |
| 01/12/2025 | 13.00-14.30 | Preparing for your Viva | Book |
Take 5 for Wellbeing
6 x 90 second videos to help you #TakeBreaks #MakeBreakthroughs
Take 5 video 1: Connect
Take 5 video 2: Be Active
Take 5 video 3: Take Notice
Take 5 video 4: Keep Learning
Take 5 video 5: Give
Take 5 video 6 : Remember to recharge
Podcasts
Podcasts from our resident Mental Health specialist Frane Vusio, and Maths Anxiety Researcher Sue Johnston-Wilder
Your Mental Health during your PhD series
2/Invisible Disability | Podcast on Spotify (19 episodes)
Maths Anxiety Series
1/Introducing What is Maths Anxiety
Stress
A workbook from www.talkplus.org.uk which discusses 'what is stress', identifying symptoms, and then strategies for coping strategies, overcoming barriers and much more
Managing Stress- a self help guide
Loneliness, Isolation & Low Mood Guides for support
Loneliness Guide- Marmalade Trust
Vitae Resources
Wellbeing & Mental Health resources signposts
Wellbeing & Mental Health lens on the RDF
Blogs:
A national website to support PGRs including:
Why are you engaging in PG research?
Highly recommended PG Research Myths Debunked
Managing your Mental Health during your PhD : Zoe J AyresMore Handbooks and self-help guides
7 Steps to help you deal with uncertainty
"What I wish you knew": a guide for staff from autistic students (warwick.ac.uk)
Return to Researcher Development Online root page
You can book on a PhD Wellbeing Session by completing an expression of interest form (warwick.ac.uk)
or by using SkillsForge https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/.
If you use the expression of interest form you would not receive SF credits for your attendance but may give you the privacy you would prefer.