Managing Anxiety at College
Mental health is an often overlooked aspect of attending university.
This University Student Mental Health guide is prepared for university and college students to be better able to manage and maintain their mental health. The full article can be found here: universitycompare.com/guides/students-managing-anxiety
The following is an excerpt from the guide, used with the permission of Creative Media, UK and University Compare
Anxiety in particular is an increasingly common and challenging issue – which can be easily triggered by a sudden shift in your life like leaving the comfort of home for the first time.
But just because anxiety at university is common, it doesn’t mean anyone and everyone will categorically struggle. Thankfully there are a whole host of ways a student can ensure they feel strong and ready to face the challenges ahead.
This informative guide explores mental health at university, how to identify potential red flags, and highlights what you can do to manage your mental health. We’ll look at how to settle into life in halls as well as university in general, and understand all the sources of support available to you when you enter higher education.
But just because we aren’t diagnosed with a condition doesn’t mean our mental health can’t suffer. Major life changes or unexpected events can trigger periods of bad mental health.That’s why it’s important to be aware of how we feel and have the right tools to combat any unwanted side-effects of a stressful period.
Moving to university can be one of the most drastic changes in any young person’s life. And while it’s usually for the better, there’s always the chance being away from home might trigger initial doubts or concerns.. The position some students are in mentally and emotionally when they start university highlights the importance of not only having the tools to cope, but the availability of resources and mental health support at their institutions too.
There are many factors that can affect young people’s mental health as they make the move to university, from leaving your family to adjusting to a new routine. These changes can be difficult to adapt to, which can take an understandable toll on students – and particularly those moving into halls.
If you’re worried about any future challenges, know that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Read on to better understand how to manage and overcome any problems you might face when moving away to university.
Mental health statistics and figures
How many people experience mental health problems?
Research by Dig-in in 2020 found that 42.3% of university students had experienced a serious psychological issue for which they felt they needed professional help. That same survey also found that 1 in 4 students has a current mental health diagnosis, meaning that 20% of students already need mental health support before they start university.
Mental health remains a social taboo
Figures show that mental health is still something of a social taboo, and when it comes to students, they don’t feel comfortable with disclosing how they are feeling. Dig-in’s student mental health research in 2020 shows that around 78% of students conceal mental health symptoms due to fears of stigma.
Plus, research by Unite in 2019 found that 52% of students feel that mental health is something they have to deal with themselves. However, studies show that 42% of students accessed counselling support last year, indicating that help is readily available at university and students feel comfortable accessing it.
The effect of COVID-19
Like most aspects of society, COVID-19 completely changed university life. Teaching moved online and many students made the choice to either stay at home or live in their university accommodation and attend uni online. This put a lot more pressure on students and universities alike, and made attending university much more difficult.
Research carried out from March 2020 were hugely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with a survey of university students in November 2020 by the Office for National Statistics finding that 57% of respondents felt their mental health had worsened since the start of the academic year. A follow-up report in January 2021 showed that number rose to 63%.
Don’t fret about the worrying figures
With figures showing us that the proportion of students suffering is high, it’s easy to think that university is a hotbed for troubled thoughts and anxious feelings. However, it’s also important to remember that life at university is complex and it’s completely normal to find it difficult to navigate the obstacles flying at you.
When we consider student mental health, there are a whole range of factors that affect students’ wellbeing too. They might include:
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Finances
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Social environments and development
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Academic pressure
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Personal identity
Poor mental health can quite easily manifest itself with anxiety, depression, and low self esteem. However, there are many different ways a student can learn to deal with this in positive and productive ways.
The number one rule is to never focus on the negative content you read and then just assume you’re predestined to struggle. Remember that you’re more than just a number in a research study; you’re an individual who has the power to tackle the difficulties of university life head on.
Understanding and embracing anxiety triggers
Anxiety affects a fair chunk of students in some form during their university experience, so it’s important to remember that you aren’t alone. Anxiety is a natural part of life that we all deal with at some point.
Understanding anxiety and what can trigger it allows us to prevent it from affecting our lives negatively. Let’s look at some common anxiety triggers and how you can react to them to better manage anxious thoughts.
Stress
Stress is a common trigger of anxiety. From paying rent to juggling deadlines and having a social life, students can get busy quickly. When we’re stressed, little things that might not bother us on a normal day can become an additional worry.
Thankfully, there are 5 simple ways to manage these feelings:
- Prioritise getting 7 hours of sleep (rather than late nights going out)
- Eat a balanced diet (we know your funds might be low, but that’s no excuse for eating nutritious food)
- Exercise regularly (cycling to campus can save money on a gym membership)
- Find the time to relax (mindful meditation or yoga can counteract the stresses of deadlines)
- Talk it out (find a helpful friend or speak to a campus counsellor)
Once you know how to spot the triggers of anxiety, you can better understand how you’re feeling. This knowledge can allow you to take action when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
This excerpt from the guide is prepared for university and college students to be better able to manage and maintain their mental health and published with permission from Creative Media, UK and University Compare
The full article can be found here:
https://universitycompare.com/guides/students-managing-anxiety/
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