It is so so important to look after yourself, both mentally and physically whilst you’re living away from home. It may be your first time fleeing the nest or actually, you’re a fully-fledged independent being – either way, we can often slip into bad habits even in the best of times.
1. Sleep well! Sleep is probably the most crucial thing you need in life and especially whilst you’re studying. If you don’t get enough sleep it can impact your concentration, mood and health. If you’re anything like me and Sleeping Beauty, try opting for a quieter flat - you wouldn’t want to be in a flat full of raucous students stumbling in at 5am and knocking over lots of pots and pans whilst trying to cook something remotely...
This time last year, I was just finishing up my final lot of First Year assignments and it felt like the biggest weight off my shoulders. Now that we are a whole 365 days ahead of that, I’m just a few days away from closing up my Second Year of being a student at York St. John as an undergraduate. And whilst I know that it will be the biggest relief to have everything wrapped up for the summer, there is something melancholic about leaving such a wonderful, productive year behind - especially as it has flown by so quickly! Because of this, I thought I would go through a few mile...
With A-level and university exams drawing ever closer, it can be difficult to stay motivated, especially when the sun is shining, but you feel you need to be revising. So here are some of my top tips for staying motivated during this exam season:
1) Remember why you are doing this.
When you’re revising it can feel like all you are doing is revising. However, there has to have been a reason why you wanted to do well in the first place: perhaps it’s meeting the offer for your first choice uni; maybe it’s that you would like to secure a particular placement or job following your degree. Whatever the reason is, make sure to fix that in your mind whenever you’re revising, as both a motivation and a goal for you to aim for. I...
Once the university offers start to pour in, thoughts inevitably turn to September and where you will live when you start your course. If you choose to study miles away from home, you can choose from halls of residence or a shared house or flat. However, if you are going to study close to home you could also choose to be a live at home student. According to statistics collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, living at home whilst studying at university is an increasingly popular option.
There is a clear financial advantage and you will be able to maintain regular face-to-face contact with your family. You will get more peace to work than in a shared house and your parents are on hand to keep an eye on your physical and mental health. Nevertheless, is this really a good idea for you and is it a good idea for your parents?
“I was very restless, but finally I found my way” - Emma Bonino
Way back in 2010 I was entering my first year of GCSE's. I was 14, I considered myself pretty clever and, most importantly, I had a plan. 8 years later I've thrown that plan out of the window and I'm starting again.
I was dead-set on going to an Oxbridge university. Then I changed my mind, then I decided not to go to university at all, until I did go. Then left. Then vowed never to go back. Yet...
When the buzz of Fresher’s Week dies down and Fresher’s Flu kicks in homesickness tends to launch a sneak attack. It’s something that happens to many students, not just first years, and it’s something than can be managed without ruining your Uni experience.
Try following these simple steps!
Keep in contact with family
It’s very easy to let your contact with family and friends from back home slide when you’re at Uni but with social media it’s incredibly easy now to stay in contact! Make sure to have a catch-up with your family and friends as often as you can, even if it’s just once a week. Send them a quick text or have a mammoth...
When starting university, you may be a little apprehensive as to whether or not you will make friends and fit in. It can be daunting leaving your comfort zone and starting somewhere new, regardless of who you are as a person. It can sometimes be difficult for LGBT students when starting somewhere new, as you have to go through the whole process of telling people who you are.
Thankfully, times are changing. It has become less of a taboo to be gay, and rightfully so people don’t treat you differently because of who you like. Yet starting somewhere new always brings in self doubt: what if I’m not accepted? ...
In third year there are a few words which are barely whispered, never mind said aloud- one of which being the dreaded *graduation*. After a nice 16 years of education, the thought of that comfort blanket being ripped away is one that terrifies a good 99.9% of students. I found out my graduation date yesterday and it’s all getting very real. But the more lecturers continue to apply pressure and countdown to that dreaded ‘Independence Day’, the more students simply refuse to acknowledge its existence. Hence this blog post (which will be a struggle for me too. I feel your pain.) ...
Uni is an exciting time, but it also brings lots of new challenges and pressures alongside it. From exams and coursework deadlines to finances and relationships, there is a huge amount to try and balance. Trying to get that balance can inevitably have an impact on your mental health.
Unfortunately, the number of suicides amongst students has risen dramatically over the past few years. However, if you need support, or if someone around you is struggling, there are support systems and help available. Below are just a few different things which you can try to improve your overall mental health.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) CBT involves meeting with a therapist to help you manage your condition, by changing the way you think and behave in different situations. It is an effective method for combatting anxiety and depression, in particular.
If you’re like me, you might be itching to get started on your new course that you’ve enrolled for. I sometimes find myself scrolling through the university course page of my choice, thinking about what the contents of the course may be about, and wondering what type of things I’ll be doing when I start that topic.
Starting university is exciting, but in January there’s a long way to go before September starts and your new course begins. Whilst that does seem like ages away, there is still a few more things to consider doing, and I highly recommend doing them.