Looking after your wellbeing looks different for everyone.
University has a funny way of making everyone look like they have it all figured out.
You see people going to lectures, submitting assignments, joining societies, making friends, going out, applying for jobs, planning their futures, and somehow appearing completely calm while doing it. But the truth is, most students are dealing with something behind the scenes.
What to do When Uni Feels Overwhelming
Looking after your wellbeing looks different for everyone. Personally I enjoy crafting, such as crochet or colouring, that I can quickly grab to enjoy making something and keeping myself busy. Equally getting out of the house or library can be so refreshing, I think going outside immediately can remove you from the overwhelming environment by having a walk outside!
A key outlet for me is also Netball but for you it might be the gym or running, getting your body moving gets you out of your head and is a great distraction. Playing a team sport allows me to shift my focus to a fun competitive activity beyond uni responsibilities.
It is so important that you look after yourself and can recognise when things start to become too much in order to protect your mental health. It means you can implement times for relaxing and destressing before the overwhelm takes over. In stressful or busy periods, you have to set aside sometime for self-care however this looks for you.
Balancing University, Part-Time Jobs and a Social Life
Balancing university, work and a social life can be tricky but here are some tips that I’ve found useful. Having a calendar and planning for the week ahead helps me stay organised – you could even colour code it for lectures, socials, work shifts, study time and so on.
Try to be time efficient – this could be by finding jobs close by such as local restaurants or campus jobs! Worklink is great for finding students jobs, and the Guild are regularly hiring student staff for jobs that they can do alongside their studies.
Treat the university day like a 9-5 or whatever block of time works for you. This helps break the day up and you can mark out key times to relax such as lunchtime, evenings or weekends. You could also try studying with friends. You could study at a local coffee shop or a study spot on campus and then you can have a catch-up during your breaks.
Asking for Help
Asking for help at university doesn’t mean you are weak, incapable, or falling behind. It means you are self-aware enough to know that you do not have to handle everything alone. University is a major transition. You’re expected to manage your studies, build a social life, think about your career, take care of your health, and become independent, often all at the same time. That is a lot for anyone.
Help can come in different forms. It might be emailing a lecturer because you do not understand an assignment. It might be speaking to your personal tutor when you feel overwhelmed. It could be asking a friend to explain a topic, reaching out to wellbeing services, talking to someone in your accommodation, or simply admitting that you are not doing okay.
The Guild has a free online, impartial and confidential advice service, Guild Advice, for students at the University of Birmingham. Guild Advice is on hand if you ever need someone to talk to and they give practical advice on all kinds of subjects relating to student life, so please reach out if you need support.
Written collaboratively by Residence Life Assistants.