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How To Combat “Fresher’s Stress”

By 9 November 2022No Comments

The adventure begins, you made it to university, and you have hopefully enrolled onto your course. For some, you may have moved away from home for the first time, you could be away from your home-country, or you might be juggling caring responsibilities alongside a full-time course. Whatever your situation; the pressures, and stresses of this chapter of your life might be lurking.

So, whether, you have a jam-packed schedule, family commitments to juggle, feeling home sick, sharing digs with new peeps, or just simply in need of someone to talk with; the university of Bradford has many provisions to make your transition easier on your mental health.

So here are our top ten tips for looking after your mental wellbeing:

  1. Your first year is your opportunity to get into university life. So go easy on yourself and use this year to develop your skills ask for feedback from your tutors, discuss module topics with your peers and speak with your Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Leaders if your course has these. You can develop your skills, knowing that you have a safety net around you.
  2. Connect with your faith, the university has a multi-faith prayer room with facilities for wudu. The chaplaincy service also has contacts for 7 different faiths and are happy to support anyone who reaches out.
  3. Download the UoB/Well App and share it with your friends. The app shares blog post relating to student issues, games and signposting to resources that support positive mental health. As Student Mental Health Ambassadors, we also collaborate with local services who provide
  4. Visit the counselling team, who can offer one-to-one sessions to discuss any concerns you might have. They also run mindfulness sessions and provide a safe space to just get away from the noise.
  5. Use the Mental Health drop-in sessions in student central and room 101 and meet our Student Mental Health Ambassadors. These sessions are run by trained Mental Health Ambassadors who listen with no judgement and can signpost you to any services within or outside of the Uni. You can also Join one of our workshops/ events and learn mindfulness. Our Student Mental Health Ambassadors organise many events and workshops to break down the stigma of mental illness and support positive self-care. Come along, you may even have fun.
  6. Use a budgeting sheet to help you identify your outgoings and income, this way you can create a weekly budget for food, bills, and other expenses you may have.
  7. Don’t let your work get out of hand, join one of the many library courses from “managing your studies” to “Academic writing and reading.” You can also check if your course offers a Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme, where second and third-year students facilitate sessions to support you in your transition as an independent learner
  8. Become familiar with your module handbooks, they usually contain lecture overviews, assignment information and key dates. Also speak with your tutors and your personal academic tutor (PAT), they can signpost you to support services, help you to apply for extenuating circumstances if needed or advise you on re-sits. Its ok to try again at somethings, but it’s not ok to feel alone. Asking for help is the first step.
  9. Get to know your peers, remember they might be feeling just as unnerved as you. Have a chat, explore the campus, and find your favourite space. Taking some well-deserved rest with friends can be a welcome change of pace.
  10. Look after your physical health too, the Uni has a fully equipped gym “Unique Fitness” with flexible membership options. Also check out your clubs and societies where you can meet people with similar interests, or even set up your own club.

So, whatever you are experiencing, know that someone has been there before, and support is in place to help you look after your mental wellbeing. Above all, most new students are experiencing similar feelings, so make new friends; they might need some support too 😊

If you need support with your mental health and wellbeing support is available.  Contact the University Counselling and Wellbeing service counselling@bradford.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1274 235750.

The Counselling and Mental Health Service are located in Student Central, level 01

  • 24 hour helpline: 0800 028 3766

Free and confidential service for students operated by Health Assured.

Students at the University of Bradford can now access a range of mental health and other support online. The uobwell app is free to students and hosts an array of support and is aimed at increasing mental health support amongst students.

More information about the app and wellbeing events taking place at University can be found at @UoBWell and  uobwell.info.

To find out how you can get involved get in touch by email- uobwell@bradford.ac.uk.

 

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