University Mental Health Day is held on March 5th each year. The aim is to “inspire conversations, take action and create change”. At Smart TMS, we have treated patients ranging in age from 16 to 80+. Increasingly, however, we are recognising the pressure that university puts on students is impacting their overall mental health.
Our practitioners don’t only support these patients, but they have all been through the stresses of university, too. This week, we spoke to Hannah and Vinny to find out more about the connection between university and mental well being.
Q. How Does University Impact Mental Health?
To learn more, we spoke to Hannah Johnstone – a Smart TMS practitioner, who is based in our Edinburgh clinic. She’s currently completing her MSc in Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Strathclyde after receiving her BSc in Psychology in 2018.
She said;
“Going to university can often be a stressful experience. Suddenly finding yourself without an imposed routine and having a lot of free time can often create a sense of stress, as you find yourself being responsible for every aspect of your daily life.
“Isolation is a risk when moving away from your friends and loved ones. In addition to this, creating new relationships with people can be hard, which can further add to the stress of being a university student.”
Q. How Can You Improve Your Mental Health Whilst At University?
Bristol based practitioner, Vinny Singh, made some suggestions for improving mental health. He completed his MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology at the University of Bath, after receiving his BSc in Psychology.
Vinny replied;
“The lack of structure at university lends itself to a host of issues. If you are struggling with low mood and lack of motivation to see people or do the things you would like to be doing, you could consider getting a calendar to work out a daily routine. It doesn’t even have to be complex. It could be as simple as starting with a time in which you wake up, have breakfast and start your day and time you dedicate to preparing for sleep.
“Importantly, having a routine is supposed to be fun. You can schedule in time for self-care and this could include trying out new societies to find friends or cooking a good nutritional meal. If your feelings persist or worsen, you’re encouraged to see your GP who can discuss options.
“University student support services will also often have great resources. These range from counselling to helping you practically with your workload and mitigating circumstances.”
Q. How Do Exams And Coursework Deadlines Impact On Mental Health?
Hannah says;
“It is a well-known fact that during university studies, deadlines can pile up which can cause a few weeks of intense stress. Add to this any exams you may need to sit whilst trying to write numerous 1,500-word essays, and there’s no wonder why many students experience anxiety or increased stress throughout their degree.
“There are several ways to look after yourself during this time, such as focusing on small achievable goals (such as 250 words a day), creating your own timetable, making sure you rest and are eating well, and making sure you also take time off!”
Q. What About The Prospect Of Finding A Job?
Vinny commented;
“As your time at university begins to draw to a close you might find yourself panicking about jobs or what to do next. To take the pressure off, it might help to chat with your university career advisors. If your University does not have a career advice centre, talking to your professors to discuss what other students have considered in the past to help you get a feel for the options.
“Remember, you don’t need to find employment in the sector you’ve studied in immediately. Ideally, we’d all find work in our chosen industry, but there’s no harm in taking a different paid position, whilst volunteering. You can gain practical skills to improve your CV even further!”
Q. Finally, How Was Your Own Experience Of University?
Hannah started by explaining;
“During my first year, I struggled a lot with the same issues mentioned. However, I met a great group of friends who I lived with during my 2nd year, which ended up being the best decision I ever made!”
Vinny continued;
“I came to Uni with the expectation that I would instantly enjoy it.
“I found it to be an incredibly lonely time away from my school friends. By joining a University society, I found like minded people and made some really supportive friends.
“The false expectation that University will be instantly joyous can be unhealthy since it is not often immediately met.”
Tell Us Your Experiences
Did you, like Vinny, go to university expecting instant fun and enjoyment only to be surprised by the reality? Or did you struggle with the increased pressure of deadlines and exams, like Hannah? We believe that talking about a concern you have can make all the difference – after all, a problem shared is a problem halved! Follow us on social media to talk to like minded people about your experiences!