Our top mental health tips for university students will help you thrive as you work, play, and grow. Take care of your wellbeing at uni!
There’s nothing quite like being at university. It is a unique time in life that can be fun, challenging, stressful, exciting, overwhelming, and a myriad of other things – sometimes all at once! For many people, being at university is their first experience of living away from home and being truly independent.
If you want to get the most out of your university experience, you need to make the time to take care of yourself. Here are six of our top mental health tips for university students to help you thrive as you work, play, and grow.
Balance studies with doing what you love
University is about much more than getting a degree. So while you should work hard (and it’s vital not to neglect your studies), it’s also important to make the time for other things.
Join clubs or societies related to your interests. Volunteer for a cause, audition for a play, or try out for a sports team. Go to parties or on nights out if that’s your thing. All work and no play will lead to stress and burnout. Fun and relaxation are essentials, not luxuries!
Manage your resources
Two things are scarce at university: money and time. The quicker you learn how to manage these precious resources, the better. This can reduce a lot of stress and anxiety in the long run.
Everyone manages their time slightly differently. Whether you need a colour-coded timetable or a pocket diary or a Google Calendar, put a system in place that works for you. List all your lectures and tutorials, then add your assignment deadlines and any regular extracurricular commitments. As you plan your schedule, don’t forget to include time to yourself. Even the brightest social butterfly sometimes needs a night off!
Managing money means facing it head-on. We recommend using an online banking app so you can check your account whenever you need to. It’s also a good idea to draw up a budget, including any regular expenses (such as tuition fees, your weekly food shop, rent and utility bills, and travel costs) and then budgeting a set amount of disposable or “fun” money each week.
Many universities run informal classes on money management or even offer drop-in advice clinics. Taking advantage of these will set you up for a financial hassle-free semester.
Learn self-care strategies
Self-care looks slightly different for everyone. It’s all about finding out what works for you and then implementing those strategies on a regular and consistent basis.
Here are a few self-care activities you might want to consider:
- Writing in a journal
- Practicing yoga or meditation
- Exercise, such as running or brisk walking
- Reading, watching, or listening to something lighthearted
- Making and sipping a hot drink
- Artistic activities, such as drawing, crafting, or playing music
- Taking a hot bath or shower
- Spending time outside in nature
Remember that self-care is an ongoing practice, not just something you do when something has gone wrong. When it comes to mental health struggles, self-care is a preventative measure at least as much as it is a cure.
Eat and sleep well
If your physical health suffers, your mental health inevitably will as well. Many students forget that eating well and getting enough sleep are essential. You can’t exist on energy drinks and takeaways!
It’s completely possible to eat healthily on a student budget. You just need to learn a few basic recipes and be smart with your grocery shopping. If you don’t know how to cook, can you ask a family member or friend to teach you? There are also tutorials on Youtube and easy-to-follow recipe books for students to help you get started. If you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein, you can’t go wrong.
Late nights and early starts are a reality of student life for many. As far as possible, make sure you get enough sleep. This might mean foregoing a night out right before a 9am lecture, or resisting the urge to write your end of term essay in a caffeine-fuelled all-nighter. Sleep is foundational for good physical and mental health and chronic sleep deprivation will take its toll.
Watch your alcohol consumption, too. Many students enjoy a drink, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but too much booze is bad for you. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it can make existing mental health struggles worse. Avoid drinking when you’re feeling down, using alcohol as a social crutch, or drinking so much that you black out or lose control. If you think you may have a problem with your drinking habits, seek professional support.
Learn to say no
You don’t have to say yes to every social engagement, club or society activity, or group study session. Learning when and how to say no is a vital life skill. If something is going to be more of a chore than a joy, or isn’t going to bring you any benefit, you get to gracefully bow out.
People-pleasing, saying yes when you should say no, and overloading yourself to the point of burnout are all easy ways to bring about a mental health crisis. Saying no doesn’t mean you don’t care about others. It just means that you love yourself.
Ask for help
Whatever you’re struggling with, you do not have to go through it alone. Whether it’s exam stress, bullying, homesickness, or something else entirely, your university will have systems in place to help you.
If you don’t know where to go, check whether your university has a central hub where students can go for help. This might be called Student Support, Student Services, or something similar. Alternatively, speak to a lecturer or other member of staff that you trust and ask them to signpost you to the right services. You might be able to get practical advice, financial support, counselling, academic help, or whatever else is necessary for your particular problem.
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help, too. It can be easy to think that everyone else around you is having the time of their life, but this isn’t necessarily true. Everyone has their own struggles and these are not always apparent on the surface. A walk or coffee and a chat with a friend can do your wellbeing a world of good.
