You're not alone. University life can be an exciting adventure but, between deadlines, financial pressures, and figuring out who you are, it can also be challenging.
Prioritising your mental health is essential for thriving at uni. We're here to help you manage stress, build healthy habits, and connect you with professional support services if you need them.
Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and it's common for students to experience anxiety around exams, deadlines, presentations, and sometimes even social interactions. Everyone's triggers are unique, but if you're finding that anxiety is severe, persistent, or interfering with your daily life, it might be time to seek help. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to support you.
Courses and sessions:
- Anxiety and Me (Wellbeing Group Session) - Explore what anxiety is, how it affects you, and think about strategies to manage it.
- Overcoming Anxiety and Worry course (NHS Sheffield Talking Therapies) - Explore the effects of anxiety on your body and techniques you can use to overcome it.
- Managing social anxiety (Togetherall)
Explore resources to help with anxiety
Low mood
Most people experience low mood at some point in their life, and it often gets better after a few days or weeks.
Signs and symptoms can include feeling sad, being more tired than usual, struggling to sleep, feeling anxious or panicky, feeling angry or frustrated, or having low confidence or self-esteem.
Low mood may be improved by making small lifestyle changes, including:
- Trying to manage your stress levels. This could involve planning your day, doing regular exercise, trying mindfulness, or learning how to say "no" to things.
- Talking to someone about how you're feeling, whether that's a friend, partner, family member, or professional.
- Introducing healthy lifestyle habits, like getting enough sleep (around 7-8 hours a night), keeping an eye on your alcohol intake, and eating well and regularly.
- Doing something you enjoy and taking time for yourself.
If you have a low mood that lasts 2 weeks or more, it could be a sign of depression so it's important to seek help.
Learn more about symptoms, treatment, and support for low mood, sadness, and depression.
Courses and sessions:
Explore resources to help with low mood
Self esteem
How you see yourself matters. Self-esteem is about how much you value and believe in yourself. Healthy self-esteem can help you feel confident, motivated, and happy.
Signs of low self-esteem can include putting yourself down, fear of failure, difficulty accepting compliments, or isolating yourself.
Low self-esteem can impact your relationships, academic performance, and overall wellbeing. It's important to recognise that your worth is not solely tied to your achievements or the opinions of others.
Building self-esteem can include:
- replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations
- celebrating your successes, no matter how small
- prioritising your physical and mental health
- surrounding yourself with supportive people
- seeking professional help
Remember, building self-esteem takes time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress.
Explore resources to help with self esteem