By Erin, 3rd Year Psychology Student
My name is Erin, I am 23 years old and I am a 3rd year psychology student at NTU. I first went to university at 18 years old to train as a dancer. At the same time, I was in recovery from an eating disorder. After two years I left university to recover and in 2022 I began studying at NTU. This journey allowed me to grow, evolve and flourish into the person I am today. Every individual’s recovery journey looks different, and there is no “right” way to do it. However, for people with eating difficulties there may be some similar struggles where individuals can relate with each other. Starting or returning to university is full of exciting opportunities and new experiences. It is a transitional period of your life which can bring change to your routines, your environment and your ways of coping. For those recovering from an eating disorder or experiencing eating difficulties, this can create added challenge to this experience. Having had my own experience of living with and recovering from an eating disorder while at university, I have created this guide of tips that helped me to cope, in the hope that they may also help you! There are so many fun things to look forward to while at university and having been in your position I hope to pass on my advice for navigating student life through its challenges and adventures.
- Create a list of the meals that you like.
This can make choosing what to eat less overwhelming when things get busy, and you can’t think what to make. Whether you are living away from home for the first time, or returning to living alone at university, it can take a while to adjust to the responsibility of cooking for and looking after yourself. It’s okay to stick to safe foods for a little while, as long as you are consuming all food groups and getting the correct nutrients. Recovery is still there for when you are ready to keep challenging those fear foods and taking steps towards food freedom.
2. Planning your meals can be helpful.
University timetables can vary day to day and week by week, alongside spontaneous social events or activities, making it tricky to stick to a solid routine. Therefore, it can be helpful to look at when you will make time to eat and prepare your meals. Preparing and packing snacks to take to the library with you, or having your lunch prepared for when you pop home between classes can help hold you accountable and make it that little bit easier to ensure that you are eating well. Having a balanced diet is important for your brain to thrive in your new classes, to help you feel energised while meeting new people and also to ward off the dreaded fresher’s flu!
3. Set a time for food shopping.
Planning what you are going to buy in advance can help you to overcome any stressful or overwhelming thoughts when it comes to food shopping. Making sure that your fridge and cupboards are stocked with the foods you like at regular intervals (I usually do every two weeks) can hold you accountable to ensuring you have enough food and the right ingredients to make nutritious meals each day! If it helps you, going with a friend can take the pressure off of food shopping, and even make it quite enjoyable! Getting a meal deal or an oven pizza to share with your friends can be a nice way to make eating fun and sociable.
4. Don’t be afraid to join in
Meeting new people, adjusting to a new city and exploring the student environment can feel overwhelming at times. But letting yourself go with the flow of student life can give you a sense of place and belonging in your new life at university. In the same breath, it’s okay to say no! If you’re going out with your friends but don’t feel like drinking alcohol, that’s okay. Go at your own pace and prioritise your own wellbeing. The right people will accept you as you are and let you do your thing. There are plenty of sober socials and activities to get involved in around Nottingham – one of my favourites is Wollaton Park!
5. Securing your support system
Making sure you know who to contact when things feel difficult is just as important as securing your support system before you hit crisis point. At NTU you can contact the PATHway drop-in service and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Support services who can help direct you to the appropriate support for you during your studies. Additionally, registering with your GP and finding out what eating disorder services they offer is a great step to securing your support system. Nottingham based services include FREED and Nottinghamshire Talking Therapies. Furthermore, it can be helpful to let your friends or housemates know about your situation if you feel comfortable doing so. Sometimes, being transparent with people can help you to set any boundaries, such as avoiding diet talk or to avoid making comments on your cooking, for example. I found it useful to have a snack at the same time as my flatmate every day, to make it an enjoyable time to catch up with them and also hold myself accountable!
6. Creating a self-help wellbeing toolkit.
Looking after your wellbeing and making time for self-care can help you to stay on top of your recovery and your mental health amongst the craziness of university life. Making time to fill up your own cup, as they say, is essential to getting the most out of your uni experience and keeping yourself happy and healthy. At NTU there is this HealthyNTU Blog with some great tips for maintaining your wellbeing and insight from my fellow mental health champions to their experiences. Apps Calm or Headspace are great for getting some mindfulness and calmness into your day. I personally find listening to music and crocheting to be the most essential part of my self-care routine. It’s about finding what works for you! You can’t pour from an empty cup.
7. Be proud of your achievements!
Going to university is an amazing achievement and you should be so proud of the work you have done to get to this point. Every student journey looks different and similarly there can be peaks and troughs in recovery. It is normal to experience setbacks, but they do not define you! You are stronger than your eating disorder and every step you take towards recovery is a sign of your strength, determination and bravery. Be gentle with yourself and celebrate the little wins! There are so many people who want to help you. You do not have to struggle alone. You’ve got this and we’ve got you!
Support and resources for those struggling with an Eating Disorder
For help, advice and resources whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Self-Care books in NTU’s libraries
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Health and Wellbeing resources
NTSU Information and Advice service
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Student Minds or Student Space
10 Keys to happiness
Mind
Papyrus
CALM
healthyntu.blog 