Preparing for university
Remember, everyone finds their own way at university, and it’s completely normal to take some time to settle in.
Here are some ways to make the transition a bit easier.
- Learn how to cook a few familiar meals if you’re going to be self-catered.
- Read the welcome emails – they’re useful and contain important information.
- Don’t be intimidated by group chats. You don’t need to make friends before you even arrive – most people don’t. Join them if you want, but they can feel overwhelming and overcrowded.
- Decide what you need to buy before moving and what you can get later to reduce stress.
- If there’s something that helps you with your mental health, like going to the gym or the cinema, look out for these places in advance.
- Avoid money worries by creating a budget before you start.
Freshers’ Week Advice
Freshers’ Week can be brilliant fun but can also feel overwhelming. Here’s some advice for navigating it.
I’m nervous about Freshers’: Everyone worries about this. Do not worry if the people you initially meet aren’t your people. You can meet people on your course or join societies. This way you already have something in common.
Prioritise sleep and health: It’s really easy during Freshers’ Week to feel like you’re missing out by not going to every social event available. However, it’s really important – especially during this week – to prioritise your sleep and health.
Stepping out of your comfort zone: If you want to step out of your comfort zone but feel anxious, give yourself a time limit to stay at a Freshers’ Week celebration. Start with 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, revisit your situation and see how your body and mind are feeling.
Is it OK if I don’t want to drink? Absolutely! It’s entirely up to you whether you want to drink or not. If you prefer, there will be plenty of alternatives to clubbing. You also don’t have to explain why you don’t drink.
What if I don’t make any friends? Everyone worries about this. Remember that friendships take time to develop. You can meet people on your course, in halls or through societies throughout your time at university.
Is it normal to feel homesick? Not at all unusual! Practically everyone will experience some homesickness. If you can though, avoid going home too often initially. Try and settle into uni life first. Arrange phone calls and video chats instead.
Managing imposter syndrome
Many students experience imposter syndrome – the feeling that you don’t belong or aren’t good enough. Here’s how to manage it:
Don’t suffer in silence: Our minds can tell us all sorts of things, and it’s totally normal to feel out of your depth when you start university. Talking to others is helpful as it will show you how not alone you are.
Ask for help if you need it: Whilst you shouldn’t worry if it takes you a while to settle into your course, if you feel you are falling behind please reach out. This can be asking coursemates, lecturers or tutors for support. Remember, lecturers are there to help you.
Mistakes are normal: Don’t beat yourself up when you make a mistake and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. That’s the point of your degree – it would be strange if you knew everything already!
Self-care at university
University is a busy time and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s important to step back and take time for the little things. Make time for yourself.
Here are some self-care strategies you can try.
- Get outside – go for a walk, a bike ride or dance in the sun.
- Eat well. This means not just eating nutritiously but making sure you don’t skip meals.
- Make time for hobbies – something you do purely for fun, not for your CV.
- Student living can be messy, but a clean room can really affect your mood.
- Drink water – simple but very effective.
Remember, no one is exactly the same, so find which strategies work best for you. The key is to listen to your mind and your body.
Getting enough sleep
Whether you’re enjoying the nightlife at uni, struggling with homesickness or pulling all-night study sessions, transitioning to university can be hard on your sleep.
Here are some tips for improving your sleep.
- You don’t have to fully give up partying, but it’s a smart idea to monitor how much you’re drinking. Despite making you tired, alcohol leads to less restful sleep.
- Unfamiliar environments can make falling asleep hard. You can offset this by introducing something comforting from home, like a night light, a diffuser or even a favourite book to read before bed.
- One late-night study session is fine, but don’t make a habit of it. Try and wind down at least an hour before going to bed to give your brain a chance to switch off.
Navigating social anxiety
If you experience social anxiety, here are some strategies that can help you get through it and still find ways to connect and make new friends.
- Do an activity you like and feel comfortable with in an environment that would usually make you anxious. You have the familiarity and comfort of being able to concentrate only on what you’re doing, but you’ll be pushing your boundaries. For example, if you enjoy watching films or TV shows online, try taking your tablet or laptop to your nearest coffee shop.
- You can take this up a notch by joining a society for an activity you enjoy. This doesn’t have to be a sport – it can be a gaming society or even the Taylor Swift Society.
- Focus on small steps.
- Practise deep breathing.
- Talk to people you trust.
- Be kind to yourself and appreciate your successes.
- Keep trying!
The staircase method for goal setting
The staircase method can help you work towards your goals. Write down your most important goal, then consider these questions.
- What’s the smallest step that you can take to move closer to your goal?
- What was helpful in the past in terms of achieving similar goals? How can you use the knowledge, experience and skills you already have?
- Are there any things that would be useful to stop doing so that you can move closer to your goal?
- Picture yourself moving closer to your goal. What can you do differently? What is better? What can you picture yourself doing?
- Think of your surroundings. Are there any people who can help you? Are there any people who can have a positive impact on your life?
- Are there any barriers on your way to your goal? In what ways do you think you can overcome these barriers? Is there anything which can motivate you to keep going?
- As you’re getting closer to your goal, can you observe any positive qualities in yourself? What are your strengths and resources?
- On a scale from 0 to 10, what number describes your readiness to start working on this goal?
Letter from a loved one
Try writing a message or letter that a loved one would give to you to support you. What would they say to you? What would they choose to talk about?
It can be somebody who is near or who lives abroad, a fictional person, someone from television or any other person suitable to symbolise support. If you don’t really want to write it, you can always draw something that symbolises the message.
Student resources and support
- Anti-Bullying Alliance: Get support if you are experiencing bullying of any kind.
- Anxiety UK: Support for those experiencing anxiety. Helpline: 03444 775 774. Text service: 07537 416905. Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
- Beat: For support with eating disorders. Email and phone line support available.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 or livechat on their website, available 5pm to midnight.
- Exam results support: If you are concerned about your exam results, support is available.
- Samaritans: For urgent help, available 24/7. Call 116 123.
- Student Minds: Visit studentminds.org.uk for advice, support and to hear directly from other students.
- Young Minds: Mental health help and support for young people.