Moving away to university can be a stressful experience, but don't let it get you down. If it does, here are some tips on how to dig your way out of that hole.
During my studies, I went through a few rounds against my mental health. It was hard enough when you weren’t bound by various lockdowns and public health concerns. It must be so much more difficult in these chaotic, isolating, and uncertain times.
Often, I felt myself spiralling out of control. Unaddressed problems can easily snowball, and I didn’t have the means to help myself when I started. It is hard to accept when you’re struggling.
There are, however, things that can be done. This will not be an exhaustive list that cures depression, but it should be a good starting point.
I learnt to open up
Your friends and family make a great first step in addressing any issues. A supportive network will be happy for you to vent your problems to them, provided you check in with them first. Sharing your woes with friends or family can do wonders.
I learnt to maintain a dialogue
While I’m infinitely thankful for the close circle of understanding friends I made at uni, the support of my educators was invaluable. At the very least, explain your absences and request summaries of any material you missed. This generates a level of sympathy. You don’t even have to specify what’s wrong unless you want to.
Not every educator is understanding, so you may have to make some judgement calls. However, most want to see you succeed.
I learnt to find support
Most universities have a student support department. They offer a number of valuable services, including extra time for exams, deadline extensions, and help with claims for mitigating circumstances. These are all things I secured with their help. Student support should be the first port of call for anyone with physical or mental health concerns. The people working in these departments are compassionate and have seen pretty much everything you can throw at them. So don’t worry about seeking out their help; it’s literally their job!
I learnt to go outside
This may sound like every patronising piece of advice you’ve ever heard, but hear me out. Twenty minutes spent sitting on a bench or in a green space really breaks the day up. A change of scenery was sometimes enough to get me out of a nasty mood.
It doesn’t have to be a walk. Get a bus somewhere you like and chill. Even a journey to a friend’s place counts. Our surroundings impact our mental state, so escaping a depression pit can help us escape the pit of depression.
I learnt to take time for myself
When you’re swamped by your studies, it’s easy to forget that you need to relax every once in a while. Take thirty minutes out every other hour of studying to unwind and browse social media with a hot drink. Give yourself a day or two every week to switch off from your studies. It was only after burning myself out a few times that I saw the importance of such things. Give yourself some time; you deserve it.
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