Get academic or accessibility support
Work out who to contact when you’re stuck in a course, facing a deadline, or dealing with a barrier that keeps getting in the way.
Start here
Name the problem and the next date that matters
Write down the task you’re having trouble with and when it’s due. Check your course outline for who handles questions and requests. If the deadline is close, contact the appropriate person or office today and ask what to do while you wait for a reply.
Put it into practice
Go to the person who handles this problem
For instructions, feedback, or what to study next, contact the instructor or teaching assistant. If you’re falling behind across several courses, considering dropping one, or unsure who handles a missed exam, contact academic advising. For a disability or health-related barrier, ask your campus accessibility office about its process.
Make one clear request
Give the course and section, say what happened in a sentence, and ask for a specific next step. You might ask which exercise to practise before office hours or where to file a missed-assessment request. Check the course outline or faculty website for any form and deadline. An email may not count as a formal request.
Ask accessibility services about the barrier
Describe what is hard to access, such as a timed test, spoken instructions, or course materials you can’t read with your usual tools. Ask what documents are needed, how to send them securely, and whether there are options while you wait. Processes, timelines, and available supports vary by institution.
Keep track and follow up
Save the date you contacted the office, any case number, and the next action. Unless the school confirms a change, work from the original deadline and follow up if it is approaching. If you started with the wrong office, ask it to name the right one.
You missed a lab and aren’t sure what can be made up
Start with the missed-lab instructions in the course outline. Contact the listed person with your course section and the date you missed, then ask whether there’s a make-up lab or a separate request to submit. If you’re missing labs in several courses because of an ongoing health barrier, also ask academic advising and accessibility services about the options and timelines.
Email about a missed assessment
Subject: [Course and section] — next step for [assessment]. Hello [name], I missed [assessment] on [date] and checked the course outline. Could you tell me whether I should submit a form or speak with someone about my options? The next deadline I see is [date]. Thank you, [name].
Get help with the work as well as the process
A writing centre can help you get started on a paper, a peer tutor can help you practise a difficult concept, and a learning strategist or peer mentor can help you plan your week. If you don’t know what your campus calls these services, ask the library, your faculty’s student office, or academic advising where to begin.
See more support optionsResources to go further
- University of Ottawa: Academic support and mentoring
Examples of peer mentoring, writing support, and other learning services to look for at your school.
- University of Ottawa: Registering for accommodations
One university’s registration process, including its documentation and next steps.
- UBC Student Services: Academic advising
Examples of questions faculty advisers can help with, from course planning to academic difficulties.