Why your inbox matters
Why your inbox matters
Email is Warwick's main communication channel. Checking it regularly can make a big difference to your university experience. Your inbox isn't full of spam - it’s where you'll find important announcements, deadlines, job opportunities, and helpful information.
This page is here to help you stay on top of your inbox without letting it take over.
Organising your inbox: what to expect
Most of your emails will fall into three main categories:
1. Academic
Moodle notifications
Lecture and seminar materials, pre-session tasks, assignment briefs, academic feedback, and room changes.
Department newsletters
Course updates, student notices, departmental support, professional opportunities, and wider university news.
Tabula notifications (WBS students use my.wbs)
Timetable changes, grades, assignment feedback, and personal tutor allocations.
GradIntelligence
Academic transcripts, degree certificates and Warwick Award certificates (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
2. Extra-Curricular
University newsletters
Your student newsletter includes updates on exams and assessments, student voice initiatives, university news, campus events and details on support services.
Students’ Union newsletters
Events and news from your Students' Union.
Society and Sports Club newsletters
Invitations to events, socials, trips, training, members' discounts and Sports Hub bookings.
Events and opportunities
Invitations to Together at Warwick events, Warwick Sport updates, career or student mobility opportunities through the Student Opportunity newsletter and more.
3. Professional
MyAdvantage notifications
Invitations to Careers Fairs and events, tailored job alerts, and confirmations of 1-1 career advice appointments.
Job platforms
Emails from websites such as Unitemps, Bright Network, Student Circus and Glassdoor. These might include part-time and campus jobs, student researcher roles, internships and work experience and graduate schemes.
Subscriptions
Updates from sources such as The Financial Times, National Geographic or sector-specific newsletters. Staying informed with global news is useful for seminars discussions.
Staying connected: smart email habits
- Check it daily: Check your inbox 2-3 times a day (morning, midday, evening). Once a day is enough at the weekend.
- Filter by priority: Use flags, stars, or pins to highlight key messages.
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Turn emails into tasks: Many emails include deadlines, invitations, or reminders. Sync your inbox with your digital calendar (Tabula → Outlook) to stay organised.
- Be proactive with communication: Book office hours, ask questions, and contact your Personal Tutor or module tutors.
- Simplify your inbox: Unsubscribe from mailing lists that aren't relevant to you, and archive emails you don't need anymore.
Inbox tip: use folders or labels
Keep your inbox organised and stress-free. Create simple folders or label with clear names, like ‘Module Code,’ ‘Internships,’ or ‘Societies’. A simple system makes it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Email etiquette: how to communicate with academic staff
Emailing at university is different from texting your friends. Here’s how to keep it professional, polite, and to the point.
Addressing staff
You should always address staff with their official title at first (e.g. Professor Jenkins). Some academic staff are happy to be addressed by their first name and often sign off their emails this way. But you should start by addressing them with their official title first.
Know your audience
Are you emailing a tutor, professor, or lecturer? Keep it professional and formal by matching your tone to the relationship.
Format professionally
Subject line: Make it clear and specific (e.g. Question about M10 Assessment)
Start with: Dear [Insert Name]
End with: Best wishes or Kind regards
Mention attachments
If you’ve attached a file, always confirm this in your email (e.g. Please find the file attached...)
Proofread
Typos can cause confusion; take a moment to re-read and check your message.
Be patient
Staff may take a few days to reply. Try to avoid sending many emails about the same topic unless it’s urgent.