Tips for Academic Success While You are Sick

As a student, you lead a busy life with no time to be sick. And if you do get ill, your ability to do well in school may be compromised depending on the length and severity of your illness.

If you are ill, you can still do a lot to stay on top of your studies.

If you know in advance you will miss a class or lecture, notify your professor. Have a friend or classmate take notes or tape record it.

If you've missed a class, copy a fellow classmate's notes for review.

If you're lagging behind, contact your professor or Graduate Student Instructor. Email or visit during office hours and explain what's happening (to the degree you feel comfortable doing so).

Consider asking for an extension for any projects you are unable to complete on time.

Ask your academic advisor's advice about keeping up. See Academic Advising Resources.

See also LSA's Having problems in a course?

Please note that UHS does not provide excuse letters for class absences. We can provide a form letter that documents only visit date and name of clinician seen, which most UM instructors accept.

If you must drop a class for medical reasons, we can provide documentation.