So, you’ve left assessments to the last minute and need help?

Feeling stressed out about assessments due soon? Don’t worry, it happens. Lucky there’s plenty of free support available for you.

Been writing an essay late into the night and need some quick feedback before you submit?

Sometimes you can’t plan for the help you’ll need, and often you need an answer fast, like at 10pm the night before an assessment is due.

Val, RMIT’s own generative AI tool, has personas built for specific study tasks. These ones are handy during assessment time:

EssayMate: upload your essay for feedback, or use it to brainstorm when you’re stuck on your topic or thesis.
Writing Help: paste in a draft and get numbered suggestions on structure, clarity and flow. You can ask it to explain any suggestion in more detail.
Imagino: rehearse a presentation or oral assessment through role-play and get feedback on how you come across.
Course Assist: stuck on something in Canvas the night before a deadline? It can help you troubleshoot and show you how to contact your teaching staff.

Val gives suggestions, and you decide what to change. Check your course guide for what’s allowed when using generative AI in your assessments.

Prefer help from a person?

Submit a question online and one of our academic skills advisors or librarians will provide an answer within one business day.

You can submit questions about information research, referencing, academic English, writing skills, math and science queries, and study techniques.

Not sure where to start when looking for information or resources for your assessment?

Ask the Library via online chat, phone or Student Connect. The team can help you build an effective search strategy and find relevant, quality information.

Stock image: Woman at a desk writing on a notepad Surrounded by books and a laptop.

Know your options if you think you'll submit late

A common mistake is waiting until the deadline has passed to ask for more time. If something outside your control means you can’t submit on time, you can apply for an extension of up to seven days, but you need to do it at least one working day before your due date. After that, you’ll need to apply for special consideration instead.

If you submit late without an approved extension, a late penalty may apply, so check your course guide or ask your course coordinator. Find out about extensions and special consideration.

Feeling overwhelmed?

You’re not the only one. Managing study stress has tips and resources to help you handle the pressure and keep a healthy study-life balance.

Struggling to get started? Try the Pomodoro technique: work in focused 25-minute blocks with short breaks in between. It’s part of how the Library runs its Neurodiverse Study Sessions.

Not sure if you can get an extension or special consideration? RUSU Student Rights Officers can give you free advice on your options and help with your application.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can contact the Ngarara Willim Centre for help with study, applications and wellbeing.

More support

That’s not all. Go to study support and check out more free services and resources.

Look after your wellbeing

There’s no doubt assessment period can be stressful. Remember to look after your wellbeing and take advantage of the many social and wellbeing supports.

Try a meditation session at the Multifaith and Wellbeing Centre
Take a break from study at the Kirrip drop-in space for snacks and casual chats with students
Drop in to a Neurodiverse Study Session for calm, low sensory study at City or Bundoora campus (until 28 October, everyone welcome)
Remember RMIT offers counselling and other health, safety and wellbeing support.

20 October 2026

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples