Health and wellbeing
To succeed in your studies, it’s important to have a varied routine that keeps you mentally and physically healthy.
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“As a student with disabilities, I receive support from two mentors who help me with study skills, and with wellbeing issues – this support has proved to be invaluable.”
It’s good to be active and have a network of friends from different parts of your university life (your course, student societies and sports clubs, flatmates, people you’ve met through volunteering) but be careful that you don’t take too much on.
Exercise
You might love the gym, or you may hate the gym and join a walking club. Yoga or pilates might be your thing or maybe you just enjoy cycling to campus. Building regular exercise into your week is a great way of keeping well.
Rest
It’s very easy to get out of a good sleeping habit especially if you’re up early but your friends stay up late (or vice versa). Aim to get seven or eight hours’ sleep per night as this will activate your body and will help your concentration. During the day, make sure you take breaks from studying and allow time to cook and enjoy meals with friends or family.
Communication
Keep in touch with friends at university and at home. Whilst Snapchat and Whatsapp are great for short messages, mix this up with longer conversations. Switch off your social media feed and don’t feel drawn into portraying a perfect life.
Pre-empt stress
Don’t wait until exam time to practice mindfulness. Use websites like Student Minds, apps such as Headspace, and well-being activities, such as adult colouring books, to relax and wind-down at anytime, including when you’re feeling well.
It’s OK to say no
No-one can do everything and there may be times in the term when you have to say ‘no’. For example, working fewer hours at your job so you have more time for revision, or not joining your friends for a night out.
Use the support network
Universities offer a wide range of support to students through counselling, wellbeing, academic skills, peer mentoring, and the chaplaincy. Students’ Unions also have staff on hand to advise on a range of issues and manage listening services such as Nightline. So, if there’s something you can’t discuss with family and friends, there will be someone else who can help.