It's something we've all heard... And this may be true for some people, but chances are you will go through some difficult times while at university, just like you might at any other time when big changes are happening in your life. It can be a lonely time, especially if you’re away from home and missing your family and friends.
You might feel under pressure to make friends, decide who to live with and meet course deadlines. And knowing how much money it costs to study at university may make you feel stressed about money, or like there’s lots of pressure for you to do really well academically. On top of that, it might seem like everyone else is coping fine and having the time of their lives.
However you feel is valid, but it is important to remember that almost everyone struggles with life at university at some point. In fact, a 2018 study found that:
So, if university life is making you feel overwhelmed, anxious and unhappy, you are not alone, and things can get better.
Whether you struggle with your mental health or not, preparing for uni can feel overwhelming. There are lots of things you may feel worried about, like making friends and finding your crowd, coping with the workload, money and, if you struggle with your mental health, having the right support available to you.
It’s natural to feel worried about starting uni, so speaking to someone else may help you feel less alone.
Most universities have a student wellbeing officer and/or tutors assigned to support you, and some even offer counselling services. Contact your uni’s student union or student wellbeing officer to find out what services your uni has.
This can really help ease any money worries you have. For tips on how to create a budget, Save the Student have a guide you can use.
If you take medication, whether for your mental health or not, it can be a good idea to get a new prescription before you go to uni. Once you’re at uni, you should register with a local GP who will be able to help with medication, but getting your meds before you leave may take the pressure off. Read our medication pages to find out more.
Most new students feel nervous or worried about starting uni, so you are not the only one! How you feel is valid and support is available if you need it. You’ve got this.
Whether you're just starting university or you're in your final year, looking after yourself at uni can be difficult. It can be scary being away from home in a new place with people you might not know that well yet. Or you may be finding your course very challenging. Lots of people find university difficult and however you're feeling is valid.
Take a look at some of our tips below for looking after your mental health as a student.
It's so important not to suffer in silence. It can be scary to open up about how you're feeling, but you are not alone - there are people who want to help. You may find it helpful to arrange set times to speak to your friends or family back home. Or if you'd rather talk to someone you don't know, we have a list of helplines and services.
Most universities have counselling services and you should have a student welfare officer or tutor who can help you get support if you need it. Search on Student Space (run by Student Minds) to find out what support is available at your university.
Even if you don't feel you need to talk to your GP right now, it's a good idea to register now so you can get help if and when you need it. Visit the NHS page for information on how to register.
When we are going through times of change, it can be really helpful to have a routine to give us some structure. Think about basic things you can do to look after your body, like getting enough sleep, trying to eat a balanced diet and doing regular exercise if you can; these can all help with your mental health.
If you are having virtual lectures, it may feel difficult to keep your studies and your personal life separate, which is why it’s really important to establish boundaries. Try to plan in regular breaks where you get away from your desk and do something you enjoy. This can also help break up the days.
Some people find it really helpful to journal, or make a note of how they're feeling so they can see what does and doesn't help them feel better. If you're not a big fan of writing, you could try keeping a doodle diary. This can also be helpful to show to a doctor or counsellor if you feel you need more support.
It’s normal to find it hard to make new friends at university, but try to continue socialising with others as friends are important for your wellbeing. You could organise daily or weekly activities with your housemates, such as having dinner together, holding a game night or starting a TV series together. You could also try joining a society or going to a student union event. This can be a great way to meet people who enjoy the same things as you.
It's normal to find the work you are doing at university a lot more challenging than what you were doing at school. If you're finding studying hard, remember that it's important at times like these to prioritise your mental health. Give yourself a break if you need one!
Student Space, run by Student Minds, can help you as
you prepare for university, with expert support and wellbeing
advice. They provide dedicated resources, along with tips,
tools and student stories on a range of topics, including:
It's important to find out what support is available at your university. Most universities have counselling services and you should have a student welfare officer or tutor who can help you get support if you need it. Take a look at some of the different types of support you might find, and search on Student Space to find out what support is available at your university.
If you’re struggling to cope, a good first step is to talk to your GP - make sure you’re registered with one at your uni. It can help to write down what you’ve been going through before your visit.
Most universities have counselling services, which will give you the chance to talk through your experiences in a non-judgemental space. Find out more on your uni’s website.
There may be a tutor assigned to give you pastoral support, or a student welfare officer you can talk to.
Student Space (run by Student Minds) have dedicated support services including a text service, email service and webchat service.
If you’re about to harm yourself or have already done so, phone 999 or go to A&E and explain that you’re at risk.
If you have a mental health condition, long-term illness or other disability, you can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance. This is support for any study-related costs you might have, such as providing a note taker, any specialist equipment, or extra travel to attend your course.
The most important task for me to do before anything else was to ensure that I had reached out for help.
There are things you can do yourself to help look after your mental wellbeing at university. Our blogger Josh shares the self-care tips that helped him:
Jogging, running, swimming, anything that helped get my endorphins flowing.
This was difficult because mental illness isn’t as tangible as a physical condition. However, trying to pretend I was fine only made things worse. I had to be kind to myself and put in the correct self-care.
Socialising seemed like a pretty arduous task at times, but it helped to stay connected with the world.
Drinking might have made me feel better in the short term, but it only masked the problem rather than solving it.
This meant improving my diet, sleeping well, and drinking plenty of water.
This was the most important thing I did, and by leaning on those close to me, I was able to get the day-to-day support I needed.
‘Self-care’ is a phrase you’ve probably come across, but what does it really mean?
Judging by what we see in adverts or on social media, we might think it’s all about candles, yoga and luxury bath bombs. We might think it costs a lot of money and takes a lot of time. And we might feel like it isn’t for us. But is that really all there is to it?
We've launched a new campaign to scratch beyond the surface of self-care, looking at how self-care can help you, what to do when it feels impossible, and how you can find what self-care works for you.
Student Space is run by Student Minds.
Provides information and advice for students on looking after themselves at university.
Offers a directory to find out what support is available at your university.
Offers dedicated support services for students, including 24 hour text message support, webchat support from 4-11pm every day, and email support.
A free, confidential listening service for you to talk about anything that is on your mind.
Services and opening times vary from institution to institution, but often there is a phone, text, email and live chat service.
See if your university has a nightline listening service.
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan.
Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
We have more information, tips and advice on how you can look after yourself and your mental health
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