Looking After Yourself While Studying
It’s important to look after your mental health as a student – especially in tricky times! These tips and resources can help.
Wellbeing tips to help you look after yourself
These quick tips could help you stay on top of your mental health while you study.
Mornings matter
If you’re studying all day, getting the right start to your day is essential. Start your morning with a personal routine that leaves you feeling energised and ready for the day ahead. Have a bath or shower, get dressed in something that isn’t pyjamas, eat breakfast, drink water, and do a home working (if exercise is your thing!). A proper routine will leave you feeling awake and focused.
Structure helps
Try to plan your days with a to-do list, so you always feel like there’s something going on that day. You can schedule your entire day with calendar blocking on your smart phone or laptop/PC if you have one.
Don’t forget to reward yourself with treats after doing a specific task. It really helps with motivation! Treats could be a quick blast of your favourite show, a walk in the sunshine, or whatever else won’t take too much time but will feel like a proper reward.
Exam stress
When exam time comes up, it’s often a stressful time. Make sure you take care of the basics like sleeping, eating, and hydrating well. They really help!
Try to revise as early as you can so you don’t have any panic from last minute cramming sessions. Keep to-do lists and revision planners, and don’t forget little treats like connecting with friends. When it comes to exam day, make sure you know exactly what’s expected of you so you don’t have to worry about being late or not being sure what you’re meant to do.
Wellbeing resources students can access
Problems at school? Try Young Minds
The Young Minds website has lots of great tips if you’re struggling at school for any reason. They’ll help you understand what you can do and offer ways to get help. Your problems at school might range from bullying or anxiety to needing extra help with schoolwork or specific challenges like dyslexia or autism. Young Minds have got it covered.
NHS guides for undergraduates
If you need help with any of the following issues, you can download NHS guides for undergraduates:
- Abuse
- Alcohol and you
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Controlling anger
- Depression and low mood
- Domestic violence
- Eating disorders
- Food for thought
- Health anxiety
- Hearing voices
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Panic
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postnatal depression
- Self-harm
- Shyness and social anxiety
- Sleeping problems
- Stress
Mental health support for Greater Manchester university students
Have you heard of the Greater Manchester Universities Mental Health Service?
The NHS is partnering with five universities (University of Bolton, University of Salford, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Royal Northern College of Music) to provide mental health assessment and support for local university students. If you’re at one of these universities, there’s mental health support available for you to help you fulfil your university ambitions and experience. This service is supported by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. Referrals to this service are via your university.
