William discusses the common experience of loneliness at university, emphasising that it’s okay to feel this way. He shares tips for coping and encourages students to connect, support each other, and create a more inclusive environment. - William Sarenden Loneliness is something we don’t talk about enough. Yet, it’s an experience many students face — perhaps more often than we realise.  The transition to university is a massive life change. You’re stepping into an unfamiliar environment, meeting new people, and often leaving behind the support systems you’ve relied on. You might even f ..read more

Jacob shares his experience as a student currently on a year abroad in France and his advice for dealing with homesickness and loneliness. - Jacob Robinson Before you go on a year abroad, you’re told plenty of advice: try to take it all in, say ‘yes’ to everything, and speak as much of the local language as possible. The list goes on.    Much of this advice before I moved to Lyon in France for my year abroad faded into irrelevance as I was consumed by nerves and worries about the move. What was my accommodation going to be like? Would it be easy to make friends? Was I going to be ..read more

As the days get darker and the Winter truly comes to life, the Editorial Team have come together to share their thoughts on dealing with the seasonal changes. - Student Minds Blog Editorial Team ⭐ How do you embrace the Winter days at university? ⭐ Taylor: Embracing the winter days at university is all about finding comfort and balance. To make the most of the season, create a cozy study space, stay active with indoor workouts or campus events, and prioritize your mental well-being by reflecting on goals or trying mindfulness. Don’t forget to take advantage of winter activities like ic ..read more

A student shares their personal battle with depression, shedding light on the often-hidden struggles of academic life and mental health. Through honest reflections and hard-won coping strategies, this piece aims to offer support, understanding, and hope to others facing similar challenges. - Anonymous For many students, the transition into college life is filled with excitement and ambition. But for some, it also brings unexpected challenges that can feel overwhelming. This is the story of one student’s experience navigating the world of academia while struggling with depression—a story tha ..read more

Stavros shares his top tips for making friends to new students who are starting their university journey.  - Stavros Before I moved to the UK for my studies, I used to be confident and surrounded by friends. Socialising was never a problem for me; I even considered myself an extrovert. I used to go out almost every night, party all the time, weekly road trips. My hometown was small, so most people my age knew me well. I had a solid group of friends who shared my interests, and life felt easy and vibrant.  When I decided to study in the UK, I didn’t think about the challenges of s ..read more

Stavros is struggling between doing all those things he had dreamed about and having to manage his fear that is getting in the way. - Stavros I don’t particularly enjoy taking walks in parks. Please don’t judge me when I say this, but I have to admit that walks in parks often feel like a messy plate filled with all kinds of vegetables, scattered unevenly in terms of colour and shape. People running, children screaming, dogs barking… I prefer taking naps alone. There’s no room for excitement, but there’s also no room for drama. Have I ever taken walks in parks?
— No.
Do I need to, though, to ..read more

Julia reflects on the stress and uncertainty of life after graduation, exploring the pressures of choosing a career and embracing the freedom to explore multiple paths.  - Julia Zablocka Graduating from university is often celebrated as a huge milestone, but for many of us, it brings a mix of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. The pressure to immediately figure out a career can feel overwhelming. We’re expected to choose a path at 18 and stick with it for the rest of our lives—but is that really realistic in today’s world?   It wasn’t always like this. Back in the Renaissanc ..read more

Social Media Kindness Day 2024 encourages students to use their online presence to spread positivity, empathy, and support, reminding us all to create a more uplifting and respectful digital world. - Student Minds Blog Editorial Team ⭐ How can you embrace social media as part of your university experience? ⭐ Taylor - Embracing social media during your university experience is a great way to make friends and find your people! Whether you’re joining university Facebook groups, following student societies on Instagram, or connecting with classmates on TikTok, social media helps you tap in ..read more

Vee writes about overcoming feelings of loneliness and making friends at uni.   - Vee I live alone at uni. Specifically, I live in a studio flat.  Talking and interacting with people is definitely not my speciality. I chose to opt out of living the “uni life” with a bunch of flatmates, going clubbing and partying and meeting 100 different people in the span of a week. When I first moved into my studio, I barely left, and didn’t attend any events during Fresher’s, save for one thing that I got dragged to by someone who had also come to my university. I met and talked to a cou ..read more

Sadiyah writes about building a sense of belonging with people from similar ethnic backgrounds and finding your crowd at uni. - Sadiyah Starting university was always a scary jump from studying A-levels because the culture, environment, and people were completely different. It is that huge step that everyone talks about. I was excited but anxious about ‘where I would belong’ as university cultures are predominantly different from my beliefs, especially with the social scene revolving around drinking and partying.  When I first started university, the buzz was incredible. Everyone was ..read more