Tips for young people
Looking after yourself in uni
The time you spend in university can be quite exciting, but it can also be stressful or overwhelming at times. These strategies will help you take care of yourself.
"Uni is the best years of your life"
We've all heard it before: your years in university will be "the best of your life." This may be the case for some individuals, but chances are you will have some challenging periods while attending university, just as you would at any other time when significant changes are taking place in your life. Being away from home and missing your friends and family can make it feel lonely. You could sense pressure to choose a roommate, make friends, and complete course assignments. Knowing how much it costs to attend university may also make you feel pressured to perform exceptionally well academically or anxious about money.
On top of that, it can appear like everyone else is getting along just fine and enjoying themselves.
Regardless of how you feel, it's important to keep in mind that practically everyone experiences difficulties with university life at some point. Actually, a 2018 study discovered that:
One-third (33%) of the students surveyed who were feeling lonely frequently or always
Almost eight in ten (80.7%) students reported experiencing anxiety.
More than 75 percent of students (75.6%) kept their mental health problems hidden from friends.
You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unhappy with university life, and things may improve.
Real life blogs
Read our blog for real stories from other young people who have struggled with their mental health and how they got through it.
How to deal with anxious thoughts? - Emma Tuyen
Do I have ADHD? - Anonymus
Football and mental health - IYA
Tips from our team
Keep in mind that you are not alone
It's okay to feel frightened. If you're also dealing with mental health issues, your bravery in making this leap is remarkable and something to be proud of! Before I attended university, I was undoubtedly anxious about a variety of things, including meeting new people, adjusting to a new city, finances, housing, and changing care teams. In addition, I was overwhelmed with self-doubt and feared that I had entered accidentally and would be expelled as soon as the work began. The worst part was that I thought I was the only one having trouble.
Talk to a trusted person about how you are feeling.
As a current university student, I have had sleepless nights worrying about how the present scenario would affect my experience. However, I believe it's crucial to realise that every single university student is going through the same thing. Why should we worry so much about something that we cannot change when we have no control over it? I know it's easier said than done, but try to remember that you're not alone and that being able to attend class this year is a great blessing. Try to look at the bright side and be proud of all that you have accomplished to get to this point.
Frequently asked questions
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Get help now
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
Opening times:
24/7
0800 11 11
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Opening times:
24/7
116123
