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 Summer 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.
RDO Summer -PhD Essentials - Keeping you on Track
( bookings open 11th May)
| How to Manage Change | 08/06/2026 | 17.30-19.00 | |
| Preparing for your Upgrade | 18/06/2026 | 10.30-11.30 | |
| Skills for Navigating Difficult Conversations | 18/06/2026 | 16.30-18.00 | |
| Doing your PhD as a Parent: how to get organised | 19/06/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Part-time PhD - Surviving & Thriving Seven Steps for PhD Completion ( middle/ late stage) |
29/06/2026 | 13.00-14.30 | |
| Preparing for your Viva (SHAPE Disciplines) | 30/06/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Preparing for your Viva (STEM Disciplines) | 06/07/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| PhD Middle years 鈥� charting and preparing for the next 18 months | 06/07/2026 | 13.00-14.30 |
We will be starting our Summer Programme on 1st June
open on 11 May.
We look forward to seeing you then
For those of you who find our weekend sessions easier to attend - the following are available:
| Saturday Sessions | |||
| Creating a Networking Strategy for Conferences and Events | 06/06/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Writing Research Grant Applications | 13/06/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Research Poster Design | 20/06/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory | 04/07/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | |
| Writing Tips - Focus on Style: How to Sound more Sophisticated | 11/07/2026 | 11.00-12.00 | |
| PhD in a 2nd Language Series | |||
| Conferences & Networking | 03/06/2026 | 13.30-15.00 | |
| Presenting in Another Language | 11/06/2026 | 13.30-15.00 | |
| Navigating Communication Challenges in English | 23/06/2026 | 14.30-16.00 | |
Take 5 for Wellbeing
6 x 90 second videos to help you #TakeBreaks #MakeBreakthroughs
Take 5 video 1:
Take 5 video 2:
Take 5 video 3:
Take 5 video 4:
Take 5 video 5:
Take 5 video 6 :
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/
Maths Anxiety Series
1/Introducing What is Maths Anxiety
Stress
A workbook from 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:
Highly recommended
Managing your Mental Health during your PhD : Zoe J AyresMore Handbooks and self-help guides
"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 .
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.