Staying well at University

Hi, there. I'm Lauren, and I'm a current student studying Politics at the University. Today, I'm going to talk you through how to look after your mental health at university from the perspective of a current student, and what has helped me throughout my time. So why is looking after your mental health at university important? Moving to university can be a daunting process as it involves a lot of changes happening in a short period of time. Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. If you're not in a good head space, it can really affect your confidence and overall health. Therefore, it's important that you know where to go if you're struggling or need support. Try to be proactive rather than reactive and reach out or act before your mental health reaches a crisis point. One of my top tips is to not put too much pressure on your self and burn yourself out by the end of semester one. Remind yourself that it is important to take breaks, which will, in the long run, help you manage your stress levels and mental health. Imposter syndrome can be quite common at university, as you may feel that your peers are doing so well in a particular class in which you might struggle. Something that has helped me is recognising that although one person may be extremely vocal on a particular subject, that does not mean that they know everything about the topic. Also, remind yourself that you are here at the university to learn, grow and develop your understanding. So you don't need to know everything before you start. Overall, within your studies, try to ground yourself and don't get caught up in a constant cycle of comparison, as this can damage your mental health and confidence overall. One of the ways that I try to ground myself and take breaks is by walking around the meadows, which is a green space near campus. It helps me get fresh air, watch the world go by, and sometimes I even bump into my friends. I also participate in a lot of societies, which helped me get away from work and socialise with people with similar interests to me. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health at university, it can be really isolating and difficult to talk about. However, the best thing to do is reach out, whether that be to a friend, family member, or one of the university's student well being and support services. While this may seem really difficult in the moment, it is worth it. The university has multiple support services across campus. The disability and learning support service, for example, can help students with a disability, learning difference, neurodiversity, or health condition that may impact their studies. They can help you out with the schedule adjustments, which can vary from extensions on your coursework to study spaces. It is important that you get in contact with them as soon as possible, and you can do this before you arrive in Edinburgh. The student counselling service can support you through short term counselling sessions, workshops, and groups, and you can self refer to the service if you're struggling with your mental health. In Potterrow, you can find the Chaplaincy listening Service, which is a confidential, non judgmental service, which can help you in a time of crisis. The Chaplaincy also runs drop in services for those affected by war or conflict in their home countries, as well as grief support groups. If you're struggling with your academic studies or your mental health, you can reach out to your student advisor or supervisor who can offer you support and point you in the right direction for specialist support. And finally, the student wellbeing service spans across the university, working with different services and individuals to help support you as a student. They offer drop in one to one chats with wellbeing advisors and act as a hub for student support. Although university services are really useful, they do not act as the National Health Service (NHS). If you're concerned about your mental health, we recommend reaching out to your GP, who can help you find more tailored support and medication if needed. Make sure you register with GP as soon as possible, and you can find out more via the How to register with the GP video on new students website and Media Hopper. If you're struggling during the night, you can phone Edinburgh Nightline, which is a confidential listening service. Another helpful resource to keep in mind is local support groups. You can find all the groups in your area on the I-Thrive website where you can find links to Eating Disorder  support groups, AA meetings, and free counselling services. You can also contact UK wide charities and services. Or if you're living outside of the UK, help.org has a helpful website for finding resources internationally. Overall, there is support out there and you are not alone. Please remember to talk, take breaks, and reach out if you feel that things are getting too much. Take things one day at a time. You've got this. Likewise, if one of your friends or your flatmates has gone quiet or if they seem reserved, reach out to them. They could be struggling in silence and your message or knock on their door could make their day. Thank you for watching.