University can be a challenging time, both academically and in dealing with life changes generally. At the same time you may wish to withdraw from your studies.

It is important to know what your options are if you are unhappy with the course you are studying, and how to go about changing things.

Like any new experience, studying at uni is particularly difficult at first and generally worth persevering with until you can make a reasoned decision about whether you want to continue. Before you make this decision you should speak to as many people as possible and get all the information you can.

If you have decided that you are not happy with your choices, leaving uni is not your only option.

Health, Wellbeing and Development (HWD), located off the Student Lounge, has a range of resources to help students. They have a Careers and Employment Advisor to help you consider what options there are outside studying, and can look at improving your accommodation options if this will help your study outcomes.

If you are an ongoing client of HWD they may be able to issue a support letter (if required by your faculty) to withdraw after census/penalty dates (for explanation of these see below) or change course. Their experienced psychologists can also provide assistance if you are suffering from anxiety, depression, other mental illness or any disability that may be complicating your studies. While HWD often try to help students 'make it through' they may advise you in any direction. As one student said, 'it was one piece of information they gave me that made me decide.'

If you feel your enjoyment/success at uni would be improved by improving your efficiency and study skills, read the MUGSU brochure 'Improving your Study Skills' or contact the Monash Gippsland Learning Skills Office in the library (or attend one of their 'Drop in Sessions'.

There are administrative considerations in deciding whether to drop courses/subjects. Generally, if you drop a course before the end of the fourth week, it will not appear on your academic record at all. Between weeks 5 and 10, it will appear as withdrawn, while after week 10 it will appear as a fail. These rules can vary for full year courses and for some faculties, so it is best to check with them.

The census date for Semester 1 2009 was 31 March. After that date, you are liable to pay for the course, and if you withdraw, your record will show 'withdrawn'. For Semester 2, the last day to withdraw without it appearing on your record is 17 August, while the last day to avoid financial liability is 31 August. (for other principal dates see http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/sii/principal-dates-2009.html#australia .

Other things to consider are implications to Youth Allowance / income or visa requirements if you are an international student.

If you plan to reenrol in future at Monash it is unlikely there are implications (apart from financial and on your transcript) at a university level, however faculties may have restrictions. For this reason it is also good to speak to them (For all unit discontinuation penalties see http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/enrolments/variations/unit-discon-penalties.html ).

A unit can be withdrawn from (discontinued) via WES or via hardcopy form, through your faculty office or Student Services Office. If you wish to take another unit to replace that dropped, you can view these in the Monash Handbooks: http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/ .

If you want to withdraw from all your units you will have to withdraw from your course, or apply for intermission.

Most students can discontinue their course on WES, however international students and some others will need to fill out an Enrolment Amendment Form, available from your faculty office or Student Service Centre.

To apply for intermission, you can apply on WES. It is a relatively straightforward process. Under 'Enrolment', go to 'Apply for Course Intermission'.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For many administrative and other answers, consult the online Student Information Index (which replaces the Student Resource Guide) at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/sii/

Another very useful resource is ask.monash at http://my.monash.edu.au

Student Services Office: 03 5122 6999 (note: this number goes to Caulfield and can result in being put on hold for long periods. If possible, attend Student Services at Gippsland in person).

MUGSU Education Research Officer: David Law FREECALL 1800 816 620 or 03 5122 7198 or email david.law@mugsu.monash.edu.au

Counselling Centre / HWD D: 03 9902 6425, 03 5122 6425

Or your faculty:

SASE: 03 5122 6431

Art and Design: 03 5122 6261

Business/Economics: 03 5122 6380

HUMCASS: 03 5122 6339

IT: 03 5122 6835

Medicine: 03 5122 6445

Nursing: 03 5122 6454

Psychology: 03 5122 6415

Education: 03 5122 6375