September 25, 2026
Meet Student Support & Accessibility Coordinator, Sarah Keech
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your role as a Student Support & Accessibility Coordinator?
I’ve worked in student support at UOW since early 2020. As a Student Support & Accessibility Coordinator, I provide support, guidance, advice and practical strategies to students whose studies may be impacted by health, wellbeing or personal circumstances.
I also assist students with disabilities, injuries or medical conditions that impact their studies by developing an Access plan that provides reasonable adjustments to their learning and assessment environment.
Before moving into student support, I had an academic teaching role at UNSW.
What are some of the challenges that these students may face, and how do you ensure they receive the right support?
Undertaking a Higher Education degree is both an exciting and challenging experience for many students. Sometimes the demands of study can become difficult to manage, particularly when personal circumstances change or health and wellbeing are affected. For some students, unexpected life events can have both short- and long-term impacts on their studies.
The most important thing is ensuring students know what support services are available and understand any University processes that need to be followed - getting advice early on can make a big difference.
Student Support Coordinators are a great first point of contact if you’re unsure what support is available or if something is affecting your study or personal wellbeing. We can meet with students via phone, Zoom, or on-campus to discuss concerns confidentially. We tailor information and advice to your specific circumstance and can assist with some of the more complex parts of accessing support.
When a student’s health or welfare affects their studies, how do you help students manage these situations? What are some strategies they can use to maintain balance?
The support we provide varies depending on the individual circumstance. Generally, we offer personalised support and strategies for managing sensitive issues that may be affecting a student’s ability to engage with their studies.
We can provide referrals to UOW and community support services, assist students in navigating University processes such as Academic Consideration or taking a Leave of Absence, and help identify ways to stay on track with studies or successfully return to study while receiving support.
Importantly, if you have a disability or health condition, learning about what the adjustments available to support your studies can make a big difference.
Finding balance while studying can be challenging, particularly when many students are also managing family and work responsibilities. I think it’s important to recognise and plan for the periods of intensity throughout each study session. There will naturally be busier and calmer periods and understanding how these phases affect your capacity can help towards maintaining a healthier balance.
Prioritising relationships and activities that support your wellbeing during busy periods are important, as well as making time for rest.
Some students struggle academically or personally. What advice would you give to those who need help?
My advice is to always ask for support if you are struggling.
Reaching out for help can be difficult, and Student Support & Accessibility Coordinators understand that. We provide confidential, non-judgemental support and our goal is to ensure students can access the information, resources and services they need.
Many students are surprised by the wide range of academic and personal supports available. Some of the services we commonly connect students with include free and confidential counselling, learning skills support, housing assistance, and careers advice.
Are there any university services or programs that students might not know about but should try?
I hope everyone knows about the 24hr UOW Student Wellbeing Support Line, 1300 036 149.
I also highly recommend exploring the UOW Student Success Portal which provides information on a wide range of support services. Some particularly valuable resources include the UOW International Student Community, Learning Skills Support, and the Neurodivergent Student Hub.
Finally, what advice would you give to students who feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to get help?
It’s important to remember that feeling overwhelmed can be a normal part of starting a new degree or working through a particularly busy period of the session when assessments and exams are due. However, if those feelings begin to affect to affect your day-to-day life in an ongoing way, it is important to seek some support. The first step might be talking to a trusted friend or family member. The next step could be reaching out to professional supports services for advice.
Remember that the UOW 24-hour wellbeing line is available by phone or text whenever you need it.
If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to the UOW Support & Wellbeing team at support-wellbeing@uow.edu.au. We are here to help.