Written by Anmay Dhanuka a current NTU MSc Marketing student
Studying at university is the most liberating and rewarding time in one’s life. However, it can also come with overwhelming feelings of loneliness and anxiety since, for many students, it is their first time being away from home. During this beautiful journey, everyone makes a few errors and feels overwhelmed at times. However, there are a couple of pointers which can be kept in mind to reduce anxiety and make the most out of university:
- Take your time to settle into your accommodation: Get to know your flatmates and the nearby grocery stores. Having a few flatmates to lean on during the initial stages can calm feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Moreover, having a fair idea of nearby local shops will help you feel more grounded and prevent you from the stress of sourcing food if you have run out of any.
- Initially, quantity trumps quality: It is often at the start of the term that everyone is also looking to make new friends. Do try your best to go to any group or freshers event at the beginning of the term. Once you have made a significant number of acquaintances, you can later decide who you’d like to spend more time hanging out with.
- Join a club or group you feel passionate towards: Find a cause or society you are passionate towards and work towards it. The motivation and optimism from working on your passion often result in better focus while studying and a greater overall sense of satisfaction. Besides, you end up making friends and connections with like-minded people who often turn out to be some of the closest friends you make at university.
- Take a chance and ask: I’ve often missed opportunities which I did not dare to ask for or claim. Be it a non-advertised student discount or an extra dollop of whipped cream; you only get what you ask for. So take a chance and ask that new acquaintance if he/she would like to hang out with you, he/she may end up as one of your closest friends? Take a chance and go for that event which you have always wanted to. May you end up discovering or even rekindling a passion?
Don’t forget that Student Support Services are still here to support you and we are regularly posting through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well as over on the Virtual Global Lounge Team
For help and advice whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Depression advice
Counselling
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Struggling at Uni? Go to Student Minds
10 Keys to happiness
Healthy NTU 