Exam Season Support in Halls

Adrian

Posted 3 days ago

Mon 14 Apr, 2025 12:04 AM

You’re Not Alone

As exam season approaches, it’s normal to feel pressure mounting. Whether you’re anxious, overwhelmed, or just need a bit of extra encouragement, we want every resident to know: support is available – in your Hall, at your university, and beyond.

🏡 Support in Halls

Resident Advisors (RAs)

Available every evening and all weekend. RAs are trained student volunteers who can listen, guide, and signpost. If something’s bothering you, they’re a good first stop – friendly, approachable, and often just down the corridor. They’re students just like you, so they are a great source of informal support and guidance.

Your Hall Warden

Wardens are highly experienced and trained university staff who live in Halls. Your Warden is somewhat like a social worker and community leader in your hall community. Their primary role is to provide pastoral care, support your wellbeing, and help create a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community. They lead celebrations, organise events, foster connections among residents, and embody the hall's values through their leadership and example.

Wardens are specially trained to assist you with personal issues, emotional support, conflicts with other residents, or challenges related to your mental health and academic stress. They are typically available outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, to respond to emergencies or urgent personal matters.

Think of your Warden as a trusted adviser, mentor, and role model who helps shape and express the values of your hall community. They mediate conflicts, offer guidance if you're feeling homesick, lonely, or anxious, and help you navigate the university's wider support services if you need professional help.

However, it's important to remember that Wardens are not counsellors or therapists. If you require professional mental health support, they will help direct you to appropriate services provided by the university or external agencies.

📍 Find out how to contact the Warden’s Team

🚨 Emergency help

In an emergency, contact reception – open 24/7 – and ask for the duty RA or staff member on call.

🎓 Support from Your University

The university where you're studying is your main source of professional wellbeing support. Every Member Institution of the University of London provides access to:

Counselling and mental health support
Disability and wellbeing services
Financial advice
Academic adjustments

If you’re not sure where to look, we’ve gathered all the student support pages in one place.

📍 Find out more about your university’s services

🏥 NHS Support and Crisis Care

If you’re struggling with your mental or physical health, the NHS is here for you – and it’s free to access. As a student living in the UK, you are entitled to register with a GP (doctor) who can support you with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, eating difficulties, and physical health concerns.

You can also self-refer to local NHS talking therapy services (e.g. IAPT) for free counselling and CBT, without needing to go through your GP.

Need urgent help?

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis – such as thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or being overwhelmed – you can call:

111 – for urgent advice from trained health advisors
999 – in a life-threatening emergency
Or visit your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E)

📍 Find out more about NHS mental health services

🧠 Mental Health Support Anytime

Nightline

Confidential listening by trained student volunteers. As an Intercollegiate Halls resident, you have free access to this service. When you’re asked which university you attend, say “University of London Intercollegiate Halls”.

📞 020 7631 0101 | 💬 nightline.org.uk

Available 18:00–08:00 every night during term time.

Other support lines

Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)

HOPEline (Papyrus) – 0800 068 41 41 (for under-35s at risk of suicide)

Use Hub of Hope to find help near you for specific issues or concerns.

📍 Find out more about 24/7 support services

🔒 Confidentiality & Privacy

Worried about who will be told if you ask for help? All student support and health services – including the Wardens and RAs – are confidential. Information is only shared when there’s serious risk to safety. But please do note that an RA is obliged to report all concerns to their Hall Warden.

📍 Find out more about confidentiality in student support