Looking after your Mental Health in first year

 

I remember vividly how excited I was the night before I moved from Sheffield into my room in Oadby. I didn’t get much sleep that night. I thought about the amazing nights out I was going to have and how to make new friends, how to eat and what to eat, what clubs and societies to join and how I would never leave my assignments until the night before they were due.

 

But the one thing I didn’t really think about was how to look after my mental health. During the first few months everything was exciting, new and the assignments were easy (so I did leave them until the night before). I went out twice a week and hung out with friends a lot, however societies seemed boring to me. Obviously, this feeling has changed now, and I’ve not only been working for the SU for two years, but I also am very active in the Volleyball Club and have tried a lot of other societies as well. What I didn’t realise though was that I never was just by myself and I never gave myself a break. I had so much freedom that I didn’t set myself any rules and kind of went off the rails. The assignments got harder, but I still only started the night before. My friends wanted to go out a lot and if I went with them then I’d miss my morning lectures the next day. First year doesn’t count though right?

 

Looking back now, I might have thought I was the happiest I’ve ever been, but deep down I wasn’t. I was missing home and distracting myself by partying and going out. I was struggling with money however going out and doing stuff with my friends let me forget that. Luckily, I was catered, so fortunately I didn’t have to plan my meals, but then when it came to second year, I hadn’t learned that skill and was kind of lost in terms of what and how to cook.

 

As you can see, when I started Uni, I fell into many traps that caused a downward spiral for my mental health. I did manage to overcome this but some habits I never addressed with myself are still present. I am definitely not the only student that this has happened to and I want to give you some tips I wish I was given, when I started my first year. 

 

Obviously, you will start university in totally different times. We have all just come out of lockdown and some of us will be in and out of shielding for a while. In times like this, it is even more important than ever to look after your mental wellbeing. Not knowing what will happen, if we can meet other students and go out or if we can even meet people outside of our bubbles, can be very draining. Also if you are like me and you didn’t really get yourself to work out during lockdown you’ll probably also have tried on your jeans for the first time in a while and have gone ‘oh dear, this lockdown will now get even more expensive…’ and go and order jeans a size bigger. This can make you feel self-conscious but please don’t think you are alone!  And once we all go back to ‘normal’ (whatever that might look like), you will see your body bounce back or stay like this and it’s time to embrace this new body and enjoy the new curves which are a sign of what you have made it through!

 

Furthermore, you have done your a-levels and have been accepted to University in times and under conditions no one has ever experienced before! You have already had to grow a thicker skin than most people who started University in the years before you, therefore you already have a massive head start!

Here are my top 5 suggestions that I wish I had known before going into First Year:

 

• Do not tell yourself first year doesn’t matter because it does matter when it comes to installing important routines and rules for yourself when living with (almost) no supervision as well as learning key building blocks for future modules.
• Read up on ‘how to adult’ and ‘how to student’ on the website: You might think you have figured it out, but let me tell you, there’s always more to learn about being independent and using the resources provided by the SU advice service can definitely help you and take some worries off your chest
• Exercise: do something creative and take time to de-stress! This might be with your Team Leicester Team, with your society or your gym buddy (or even just you, a yoga matt, some weights and good music for example)
• Develop a routine and rules for yourself, such as when to study, when to go to sleep if you’ve got 9am lectures, make a meal plan, make plans for your assignments, schedule in time with friends and time by yourself and ofcourse budget your money (use the tools on the SU website to make it easier!)
• Be kind to others but also to yourself: Kindness has been proven to improve your mental and physical wellbeing as well as to reduce your stress levels. Being kind will save you a lot of unnecessary drama and pressure on yourself and others. Also, who doesn’t want to live in a world where everyone is nice to each other?

 

Of course, these tips are not the answer for everything and do not guarantee that it won’t be hard or mentally challenging at any point. If you do feel like something is not ok or everything is getting too much, reach out for help! There are so many people who work at the Uni, in the SU and in your accommodation who are there to support you (this includes me)! Use the services provided. You all can access a minimum of 6 free counselling sessions with the University, there is an Advice Service within the Students’ Union who can signpost you and answer all your questions, there is the Accessibility Service who are a fantastic support for students with known or suspected disabilities and learning differences, there’s Residential Advisors who will come and knock on your door regularly to make sure you are ok and of course your personal tutor and any other staff in your department. 

 

If you stay connected, use all the resources and support, stay on track with your schedule, make time for learning but also socialising and de stressing, you will be fine. Your first year at University will only be the start of an exciting new chapter your life as an independent and educated adult!