University can be an exciting time, and as you make new friends and get to grips with your studies, the Welfare Team is here to help make sure you are safe and happy with all the resources you need to look after yourself. 

During March and April, we will be running a series of events to promote the services that are in place to help you make the most of university life.  

Next week we’re running sessions on What to do in an Emergency, How to Create a Wellness Plan and Creating Positive Environments During Covid-19 and Beyond. You can also join a student-led group to discuss student safety.

And to help give you the best start to the new semester, we’ve put together these five top tips to help you stay safe, healthy and happy – no matter what’s going on around you.  

Take care every day

When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s crucial to focus on caring for yourself. Self-care is proven to improve wellbeing and help build the resilience needed to get you through tough times. So really focus on your health. Make a nice healthy meal, dance around the kitchen to your favourite music, have a walk, drink water (it helps your brain work better!), or try few minutes of meditation or deep breaths - all of this can help you start thinking and caring about yourself.

Create an intentional to-do list

Even just making a plan to reach your goals and move forward with purpose can help to alleviate anxiety and feel more in control.  Make a precise and specific to-do list with achievable deadlines, and remember to tick them off as you go – paying attention to how it feels to see a visual of all the things you’ve achieved.

Positive change is all about forming new habits and changing your mindset, and the app Habitminder is a great resource to help you take the first steps.

Get better sleep 

We all know that a sleep-deprived brain finds it harder to focus and remember new things, and poor sleep can make it harder to form long-term memories. Focus on improving your sleep routine and note the difference day-to-day. Having consistently good sleep will also help you get the best out of your studies and be better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you.

Get yourself into a routine and try to create a quiet, comfortable sleeping space. Avoid daytime naps to keep your body on a set sleep cycle, and avoid television or looking at your phone or computer in bed. Avoid substances that can interfere with sleep – including alcohol and caffeine, and make sure you get some fresh air every day to help your body reset.

Try a guided sleep app like Calm to see the difference you can make.

Be safe and have fun

It may not have been your first idea about university life, but taking care of yourself is the number one thing that can give you the most positive experience while you’re studying. The better equipped you are to look after yourself and stay safe, the more fun you can have while you excel at your studies.

So, how can you make your experience as safe as possible? Think about yourself. If you’re going out, tell a friend where you’re going or when you expect to be home, and watch how much you drink when out and about. Back at home, keep your personal details secure – both physically and online – and make sure your home is secure with your belongings registered and insured wherever you can.

Visit immobilise to register your valued possessions with the online checking service used by UK Police forces to trace the owners of lost and stolen property.

Speak out

We know the chances of anything serious going wrong are small, but coming to university can be a big change, and we want you all to feel confident that if anything goes wrong or makes you feel unsafe, you can tell someone and know where to go for support.

Whatever the issue might be – if it’s with your studies, a relationship, mental health, money management, or you just feel lonely, do not suffer alone. We’re here for you and have expert services to offer that support. Reach out to a friend, tutor or member of Student Services and let them know you need help or want to talk. You can also contact our support services confidentially via the Student Hub, where you can log on with your student details and book an appointment to talk to us for the same day.

Take a look at what we offer and the wide range of sessions that could help you or a friend in the future.

And remember, no matter what’s happening, we can help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and talk to us whatever you need.