Starting university: a guide for students
Coming to university may give you the chance to leave your past behind you, at home.
However, don’t assume you won’t still be affected in some way. Counselling services, wellbeing support or NHS services in your university town can all help you to explore and process any hardships you may have faced.
Remember that you may feel under a lot of pressure from all the new experiences you are having. This can increase feelings of anxiety or low mood if not addressed.
Ask for help; you are never on your own.
In general, students tend to fall into one of two categories:
The Optimist
This is the chance for a fresh start. You may feel that you’ve had mental health challenges at school and college, but that everything will be fine at university - you will cope with everything and still have room to party!
If you’ve had a difficult time at home, university offers some space and personal responsibility. However, your past will still be there and can affect the choices you make.
This might be your chance to seek support for past issues - your university may have an advice service that can help you explore your experiences. While you may cope brilliantly, mental health problems don’t usually disappear overnight. Try to be self-aware and notice when you’re dipping. Seek support and find out who to speak to if you need help.
The Worrier
You’ve had past issues with anxiety, depression or other mental health problems but don’t want anyone to judge you or avoid you. You struggle to cope day to day now; thinking about all the extra things you have to cope with is terrifying. Everyone else will be having a great time and you will be alone, feeling unhappy.
These are all valid thoughts; after all, starting university can be an unsettling time. If you have suffered with mental health problems in the past, you may find it worse at uni without your usual support systems in place. Yet mental health services will be available at your university and in your local town, so don’t ignore your problems. Help can be more effective if you access it before you become completely overwhelmed.
It may be that your home life was difficult - maybe you were a carer or have a parent with alcohol dependency or their own mental health problems. Remember that you have the right to a life too; you shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying your time at university. You’ve earned this experience.
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