Mental and emotional wellbeing
Going to university can be both exciting and daunting. Many of us will be facing new challenges for the first time.
Asking for help
Signs that you may want to reach out for help and support with your wellbeing could include:
Difficult feelings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Shame
Unhelpful thinking
- Judging yourself harshly
- Expecting criticism from others
- Expecting things to go badly
- Questioning the point of life
Unhelpful behaviours
- Stopping doing things you used to enjoy
- Withdrawing socially
- Using drugs and alcohol to avoid difficult feelings
- Self-harming
Our specialists’ top tips
Connect to the present moment: It is easy to get lost thinking about the past or future, losing sight of the present.
Ask for help: Asking for help can be difficult, especially if we are experiencing lots of unhelpful thoughts. But remember:
- It is not a sign of weakness
- It is the first step towards getting back on track
- It takes courage to face our fears and make the changes necessary to improve our lives
- Everyone wants you to succeed and enjoy your time at university. We are always ready and willing to help.
What do our students say?
Attending counselling has been a really valuable experience. I feel far better equipped to cope with the situation going forwards. My counsellor was great and I'm so glad I signed up for the sessions.
Self-care is crucial, because if you are healthy (mentally and physically) only then you’ll be able to fulfil your responsibility and achieve your degree with a healthy mindset.