University Mental Health Day - Looking after yourself at university
Caitlin Thrower
Media and Popular Culture BA(Hons) - Third Year
Hey, I’m Caitlin and I’m a third year Media and Popular Culture student here at Huddersfield. I have a passion for writing; I run my own blog and write for the uni’s student-led magazine. I’d consider myself a film, TV and music buff, so if I’m not binge-watching the latest show, I’ll be scouring the internet to discover new music. Though I haven’t been at uni for long, Huddersfield has enabled me to meet so many like-minded people and I’m incredibly glad I decided to study in this great town. I can’t wait to continue learning about topics I love while expanding my skills in the media industry.
Coming to university is a huge step which poses many challenges. With big changes like this, our mental health can be impacted more than we’d care to admit… But that’s okay.
Leaving home and moving away from your hometown can be very isolating and put a huge strain on mental wellbeing. It’s important to keep in touch with relatives and friends from home, of course – but I’ve found making new friends is the best way to combat loneliness. Although it may sound daunting at first, university is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and if you’re lucky: make some lifelong friends. Initially, I found it really hard to get close to people at university as I was so hung up on how much I missed the comfort of home. But now I’m in my second year at Huddersfield, I have met some incredible people, learned so much about myself and I now live with three girls who I consider my sisters.
Unfamiliar surroundings and the idea of meeting new people at university can cause incredible anxiety – whether you suffer with mental health issues or not. It’s easier said than done, but throwing yourself into anything you can is the best way to overcome these negative emotions. The University of Huddersfield and the Students’ Union offer plenty of schemes and events (especially in Welcome Week) which allows you to meet new people, have a good time and experience new things while in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment.
With university, comes an increase in workload and a higher standard to live up to. Being somewhat of a perfectionist, while also being a serial procrastinator, these changes were very scary for me at first. As with anything, everyone is different and I didn’t really find the best way to organise myself until fairly recently. Personally, I like to use a task managing app, which allows me to set daily reminders and plan out exactly what I need to get done and when for.
Other people prefer a written planner or journal – where you can set out all your readings and assignments into manageable chunks. Whichever way you find the best for you, having some kind of plan or schedule can lift a huge weight off the workload of uni. It’s also very important not to overwork and to allow yourself some breaks – even if it’s 20 minutes here and there to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. This is crucial to maintaining a positive mood and prevent a crash in motivation.
Societies are a great way to take your mind off uni work and throw yourself into activities you enjoy. I’m part of T’Hud Magazine, the University’s student-run magazine, and I love being around so many enthusiastic, creative and passionate people who enjoy the same things I do. Joining a society is a fantastic way to improve mental health: you can meet new people who have similar interests; learn a new sport or skill; or take part in hobbies you already have. But, don’t overload yourself with society commitments. It’s easy to fall into the trap of signing up to lots of societies in the first week – instead, try one or two that you’re interested in and see how you get on. University can be very time-consuming but it’s really beneficial to be involved in at least one society as it offers an escape from the day-to-day degree stresses.
Personally, I have suffered with depression for about six years, but I didn’t receive an official diagnosis until I was 19. Mental health, for me, was never a priority. I thought I could just brush any emotions under the rug and get on with my life. Coming to university made me realise that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. Your brain is an organ, and like any organ, it needs to be looked after and if there is a problem then it shouldn’t be ignored. Thanks to the people in my life – both my friends and family as well as my tutors and the University’s Wellbeing Support – I am on the road to conquering my mental health problems.
The University of Huddersfield and its Wellbeing and Disability Services have been crucial to helping me to deal with my depression. The Wellbeing and Disability Services cover so many different aspects of mental health and it’s incredibly easy to speak to someone if you feel you need to. The advisors I’ve spoken with genuinely listened to my problems and helped me to take the steps needed so I have the right support in place – both in and out of university. They work closely with the University Health Centre so it’s very easy to get help from it too, if you feel it’s necessary.
Sadly, I do believe there’s still a huge stigma surrounding mental health, especially the notion that it’s not as valid as physical health – which is not true at all! Reports have shown that one in four students experience mental health problems whilst at university. This is why it’s so important not to neglect it. If you’re struggling, then dealing with it is the best thing to do. As everyone is so different, there’s a number of ways to help with your mental illness. Some may work for you, and some may not – but it’s always worth trying them out.
Some of my top tips are:
- Mindfulness and meditation: this can aid in keeping your mental health in check. Resources can be accessed through apps on your phone, with the University Wellbeing Support team or even on YouTube.
- Exercise and healthy eating: as the saying goes “healthy body, healthy mind”, so making sure you’re getting enough nutrients and keeping moving is really important and is proven to boost your mood. Make sure you check out our Team Hud facilities?
- Talking: it really is as easy as it sounds. Whether it be friends, family or a specialist, talking to someone takes pressure off your worries. The university has lots of services for this, including the Big White Wall: an online service which you can access 24/7.
- Self-care: taking a day to clean your room, do a face mask and watch some telly can be just what is needed to lift a low mood.
We all understand how difficult university can be sometimes; so if you ever struggle with your mental health, there is always someone there to help. You are never alone.
By Caitlin Thrower
Helpful links:
University Wellbeing and Disability Services
University School Support and Guidance Officer details can be found on the contacts section of your Student Hub.
Read Joseph's blog about how he manages stress at university
All articles by Caitlin
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