The Editorial Team are raising awareness for Stress Awareness Month by sharing their top tips for managing stress at university. - Student Minds Blog Editorial Team ⭐ Tip 1: Find your people ⭐ by Taylor Managing stress is so much easier when you can get out of the zone and feel truly happy with the people around you. It certainly doesn't mean that the problem will go away but having a good distraction doesn't hurt and neither does a good support network that you can talk your problems through with. After all, a great friendship can get you through anything! ⭐ Tip 2: Explore hobb ..read more

Daniel shares his tips and strategies to work efficiently while also enjoying time off. - Daniel A common problem for students is being overworked, as we all know, the work does not stop! As someone who is dyslexic, I often felt like I was falling behind. However, I found some techniques that helped me progress with my studies while also helping me to enjoy my free time.  1. Morning routine It is always hard to get work done when half the day has already gone. In my experience, getting up late becomes a habit that really hinders your ability to complete your work. Waking up early ..read more

Madeleine describes how it feels to make the decision to start a masters with a mental health condition and how she reached this choice. - Madeline I recently made the decision to go back to university in September and start a masters. This was not a decision I took lightly, as someone whose mental health illness is triggered by stress, I was worried I would be unable to face the pressure a masters would entail. I came to the conclusion that, with the right support, I should aspire to do anything someone without a mental illness can do. I previously worked in the laboratory after graduating ..read more

Ali shares his experience of opening up to people about his feelings while at university. - Ali Despite being on a counselling training course, the idea of me “opening up” didn’t really come to mind when I applied, enrolled, and attended my degree. Perhaps naively it didn’t occur to me that I would have to “open up” as part of the mandatory hours of personal therapy I have to attend as part of the course… “you’re such an emotionally mature person”  “you’re so connected with your feelings”   “I feel like I could tell you anything” But, opening up can be scary. Being heard c ..read more

The Editorial Team have come together to share their thoughts on finding support at university. - Student Minds Blog Editorial Team ⭐ How could you reach out for support? ⭐ Taylor: Reaching out can seem the most daunting step, especially when you have to figure out how to put your feelings into words. But this can be made easier, with a solid and safe network of people you trust and can talk to when times are tough, or by knowing who you can reach out to professionally at your university.  Emily A: It can be really challenging to 'put yourself out there' and find new circles t ..read more

Our author shares her thoughts and feelings about the new year and what her aims are. - Anon As the new year begins, I find myself standing at the threshold of a fresh chapter in my academic journey. The canvas of 2024 awaits, and with it, an array of ambitions and aspirations that I am eager to bring to fruition during my time at university.  First and foremost, the advent of a new year invites reflection and the setting of goals. I believe in the power of resolutions, for they serve as guiding stars, illuminating the path toward personal and academic growth. his year, my goals for u ..read more

Dhriti talks about the activities that support her in dealing with grief. - Dhriti In July 2023, my world came crashing down when I lost my 18-year-old cousin. She was my companion in joyous moments, the person I celebrated birthdays, festivals, and family gatherings with. Our bond may not have been the closest, but it was undeniably special to the both of us.  As I prepared to move to the UK in September 2023 for a master's degree in Marketing and Brand Management, my family and I were excited about the upcoming journey. She, too, shared in the excitement, making plans for outin ..read more

This blog is about finding the right daily routine. It shares personal experiences, encourages being yourself, and gives simple tips for getting things done despite challenges. - Areen Navigating the widely-promoted regimen of early wake-ups, journaling, workouts, and seamless work-life integration is a familiar journey. As a longstanding member of the study community, I've delved into countless vlogs, attempting to mold my life in the image of those I admired. The attempt to rise early and adhere to a disciplined lifestyle, however, faltered after just three days, leading me to a profound ..read more

Chrissie shares her experience of managing the winter blues and tips for getting through this alongside doing a PhD.  - Chrissie  Life as a PhD student can bring its own unique benefits and challenges. We get to pursue our own intellectual curiosities and benefit from flexible working hours. But doing a PhD also means working alone, juggling lots of responsibilities, and managing the stresses of a demanding degree. PhD students are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health, so during the winter months – when many people experience a drop in mood and experience the winter ..read more

The Editorial Team are here to kickstart 2024 with their mental health 'ins and outs'. - Student Minds Blog Editorial Team ⭐ Our 'ins and outs' for 2024 ⭐ ? Taylor: My favourite quote of all time is from Kris Jenner who says, "If somebody says 'no', you're asking the wrong person". 2024 is going to be the year of finding out who I am and ticking so many things off the bucket list. In: Taking every opportunity and pushing past doubts and anxieties to simply 'go for it'. Out: It all sounds very dreamy and fun so far but, in reality, self-doubt and overthinking are things tha ..read more