Looking after yourself as a student

Starting at university or college is an exciting, daunting and transformative time. And for many, it will be a reminiscent time for years to come.

Between lectures, seminars, workshops, deadlines, part-time jobs and social commitments, it can be hard to look after ourselves properly. Couple this with student budgets and varying levels of culinary skills, there can be a lot to contend with!

Thankfully, we’ve put together a guide on easy yet impactful ways you can look after yourself as a student. From nutrition to adequate rest, looking after yourself properly will allow you to juggle all the things student life and academia throws at you.

How do I know I need to look after myself?

If you’ve been feeling off, and can’t seem to figure out why, it’s worth taking stock of what’s going on. Has uni or college work ramped up? Is a deadline approaching? Are you struggling financially? There are many things that can cause us to not look after ourselves properly. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• You’re more tired than usual

• You’ve noticed a change in appetite

• You’re feeling consistently low or anxious

• Any existing mental health concerns are worsening

• You’re skipping meals and/or medication

• You’re struggling with uni or college work more than usual

• You’re isolating yourself a lot more

• You’re neglecting self-care and hygiene needs.

Tips for looking after yourself as a university student

Looking after yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Taking small steps can get you leaps and bounds into a better state with your mental and physical wellbeing.

1. Create and simplify your routine Trying to fit too many things into your routine can cause more harm than good. Instead, really look at your problem areas. Is a uni deadline causing most of your worries? If so, create a step-by-step study plan to help you cover the areas you’re struggling with. You may also wish to speak to your tutors and/or student counsellor to ensure you’re set up for success.

Alternatively, if other areas of your existing routine are causing you issues, such as mealtimes or social activities – look at ways you can simplify them. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Create a recipe list of easy-to-cook meals that can be made in 15-20 minutes max

Batch cook and store meals to heat up throughout the week

Have a budget per day rather than per week, or vice versa, for easy money management.

Suggest gatherings at your place or a friend’s instead of going out to keep costs low whilst still socialising

Keep your medication next to your self-care products – such as your toothbrush – to remove the barrier against hygiene.

2. Get moving Do you get public transport everywhere? Make it a point to get more walking in your daily routine. Whether that’s walking to lectures or your supermarket, it’s a great way to get some movement in your routine.

Alternatively, see if there are any free meetups for running our outdoor exercise classes that you can participate in a couple of times a week.

3. Reach out for support Sometimes it can be hard to adapt your routine for a better you. That’s why it’s important to reach out for support. Your university of college may have a student assistance programme, or student counsellor you can reach out to. They can support you with any issues you might be facing, and can provide you with practical ways to look after yourself that aren’t overwhelming.

4. Set a bedtime It’s all too easy to stay out late with friends or finish that Netflix binge late into the night, but what this is really doing is robbing you of adequate rest for peak cognitive functioning. Set a bedtime at a time that you can realistically stick to and see how you feel in the days to come.

We understand that some nights this may not be possible – especially if you have a deadline looming around the corner. In these instances, ensure you’re properly hydrated with water and hydrating fruits to help your body get through the day with less sleep than usual.

5. Make time to connect with friends and family When we have a lot on, our social wellbeing can suffer. When was the last time you spent quality time with a friend or spoke to your family? Make it a point to spend more time with the people you care about – even if it’s just hopping on facetime.

6. Set boundaries Learning to say no when you’re overwhelmed will be your biggest asset. To slightly contradict our earlier point, if you feel pressure to socialise all the time and it’s taking away from your self-care, saying no can help you achieve a balance between socialising and time for yourself.

Ways to look after yourself when you don’t have time

If uni or college work feels unmanageable or you’re going through a stressful time, self-care can fall very low on the priority list. However, here are some small ways you can look after yourself when you feel like you have no time.

1. Take micro breaks Whether that’s a few minutes to stretch or step away from your desk, it can help break up tasks and get you moving – which is great for your physical wellbeing.

2. Habit stack Habit stacking can be used in everyday life to manage all of life’s tasks, but it is especially useful when you feel like you have no time. Habit stacking can look like:

• Doing a quick stretch routine as soon as you get out of bed • Taking a quick break after finishing a small task • Listening to podcasts while doing the washing • Drinking water whilst setting tasks for the day

3. Put your phone down Taking time away from your phone can work wonders in clearing the mind. This is especially important if you find yourself ‘doom-scrolling’ social media and find it’s affecting your mental health

4. Aim for finished, not perfect Whether it’s doing a 5-minute workout instead of a 50 minute one, done is better than perfect. Simply doing a task can help you feel a sense of accomplishment. This can also look like:

• Cleaning one area of your room each day in the week

• Starting a new hobby

• Writing a draft for your uni work

Looking after yourself if you have a mental health condition

If you’re living with a mental health condition, self-care becomes even more important, and sometimes more complex. If you find new or worsening symptoms, here are some ways you can navigate them:

Stick to your treatment plan. Deviating from what’s prescribed from your doctor can be easy to do when life gets in the way. Find your way back to your routine, or speak to your doctor and how best to adapt

Know your triggers. If certain situations make your symptoms worse, it’s worth bringing this up with your doctor or a mental health professional. For example, if you find crowds or busy places make your symptoms worse, you may wish to order items to your home, or venture out during off-peak times

Turn to your support network. Whether that’s friends, family or even your tutors, sharing your concerns can help you make sense of them. They may be able to offer moral support and even work alongside you to seek professional care.

Be kind to yourself. Taking time to understand that the way you're feeling is totally normal. Practicing self-compassion is key

How can institutions help students look after themselves?

While institutions can’t hold the student’s hands, there are ways they can provide and signpost support, such as:

• Providing a student wellbeing programme

• Adopting flexible academic policies for those who need it

• Pushing wellbeing activities for all ages and abilities

• Promoting racial equity and other DE&I initiatives

• Providing comprehensive training for staff – such as Mental Health First Aider courses

How a Student Assistance Programme can help with student wellbeing

A Student Assistance Programme (SAP) is like an EAP, but for students. It offers confidential, professional support to help you navigate personal and academic challenges. At HA | Wisdom Wellbeing, our SAP offering provides students with 24/7, 365 mental health support, as well as unlimited free legal and information services. Students can also make full use of our unique wellbeing app Wisdom, which can help support their mental and physical wellbeing daily. In the app, they can access our wealth of knowledge and resources to aid their mental health journey, as well as track their wellbeing on the go.

Conclusion

Looking after yourself as a student isn’t selfish, it’s smart. Your wellbeing is the foundation for everything else such as your studies, your relationships, and your future success. Whether it’s through daily habits, professional support, or getting help through your university – make your self-care a non-negotiable so you can live your best student life.