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For many students, going to university will be their first time living away from home. While it’s an incredibly exciting time, it can also be incredibly stressful - balancing academic work with socialising, keeping healthy, and seeing friends is no joke! The 2024 Student Mental Health Week (SMHW) report by Chegg highlights several key things you can do to maintain and improve your mental well-being while studying.
The Stress of Uni Can Impact Your Mental Health
Being at uni is stressful. Between studying, making friends, and keeping on top of finances for the first time it’s no wonder so many students struggle with anxiety and feelings of low mood. According to Chegg's report, 75% of students experience significant stress, and nearly 50% report feeling overwhelmed frequently.
What Can You Do to Look After Your Mental Health?
Find out if your university has a counselling service, mental health hotline, or any digital resources you can download and use. There are also a range of mental health support apps such as Calm or Headspace which can provide on-demand support as needed. They can also help you keep on top of your stress levels, particularly during exam time or around when coursework is due.
It’s normal to feel homesick at some point during university, particularly in the first months of your first year. Try to keep in contact with home via video calls and regular messaging. If possible, booking tickets home can give you something to look forward to when times are tough.
With that in mind, joining societies or socialising with house or coursemates can be a great way to find your community. Studies have shown that the more connected we feel to others, the better our mental health is. It could be as simple as scheduling lunchtime catch-ups between lectures or cosy nights in with snacks and a film.
It’s also important to try to strike a balance between studying and having fun. Taking regular breaks and making time for the things you enjoy outside of university is just as important as focusing on your studies.
As boring as it is, the link between good physical health and good mental health can’t be ignored. Getting active doesn’t have to mean spending ages in the gym, it’s likely your uni will have sports teams you can join if you’re into playing with others or you could go for a walk around campus. Regular physical activity can reduce stress and improve overall mood, so don’t underestimate its benefits!
Money can be tight at uni but there are lots of easy to make, budget-friendly recipes out there that can help you achieve a balanced diet. Certain foods have also been shown to benefit your brain which can help with studying. It’s also great to indulge every now and then so don’t be too hard on yourself!
Remember to ask for help if you’re struggling to keep up with deadlines - many faculty members will allow extensions in certain situations. There may also be the option for part-time study if needed.
Remember to Prioritise Your Mental Health
Looking after your mental health while at uni isn’t always easy. For many people it’ll be their first time away from home, which can bring feelings of homesickness. Couple that with the fact you have to juggle academic work with socialising and cooking, cleaning, etc and it’s easy to see how life can feel overwhelming. By using some of the strategies above I hope you can better look after your mental health so you can properly enjoy your time at uni.
If you need some support, get in touch today.