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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 999

To gain confidential advice you can speak to

Report + Support

Helping students in distress (Researcher Development Guide)

RDO Wellbeing workshops

Coming up this Spring 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 Spring Programme on 9th February Bookings open on 19th January. We look forward to seeing you then.


RDO Spring - Wellbeing & Productivity Focus Pillar ( bookings open 19th January)

Date Time Session Booking Link
09/02/2026 13.00-14.30 Preparing for your Viva Book
11/02/2026 11.00-12.30 Creativity in Research Book
18/02/2026 11.00-12.30 Effective Researcher Book
23/02/2026 17.30-19.00 How to Deal with Stress Book
24/02/2026 11.00-12.30 Research Planning for your First Year Book
02/03/2026 17.30-19.00 Increasing your Self-Confidence Book
05/03/2026 11.00-12.30 Preparing for your Upgrade Book
11/03/2026 11.00-12.30 Research Planning Part 2 - aims & objectives Book
12/03/2026 16:30-18:00 How to Navigate Uncertainty in Research (and personal life) Book
16/03/2026 13.00-14.30 Increase your Productivity Book
19/03/2026 10.30-12.00 Tackling Perfectionism Book
19/03/2026 13.00-14.30 Visualising your Research: how visuals can help plan your PhD Book
23/03/2026 11.00-12.30 Building Adaptability & Strategies for Sustaining Motivation Book
30/03/2026 11.00-12.30 7 Steps to PhD Completion 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

1/ Imposter Syndrome

2/Invisible Disability | Podcast on Spotify (19 episodes)

Maths Anxiety Series

1/Introducing What is Maths Anxiety

2/ Understanding Maths Anxiety

3/ Seeking help with 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

Problem Solving

Problems to Solutions

Managing your worries

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.

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