People often talk about university as though it’s supposed to be the best time of your life. And while university can bring exciting experiences, more independence and new opportunities, it can also feel overwhelming at times.
Starting university usually comes with a lot of change all at once. You might be moving away from home, adjusting to a new environment, managing your own finances, meeting new people, and trying to balance studying with your social life. Even if you feel positive about your new uni life, all those changes at once can feel stressful.
It can also be easy to feel like everyone else is coping better than you are. But many students struggle with their mental health at some point during university, even if it doesn’t always look that way from the outside.
Whether you’re worried about going to university, finding it hard while you’re there, or feeling uncertain about what’s next, our guide has tips and advice to support you and your mental health.
Preparing to support your mental health at uni
Alongside thinking about accommodation, packing, your new commute and your course, it can also help to prepare for how you’ll look after your mental health while you’re at university. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, but putting a few things in place early can make it easier to settle in and get support if you need it.
Most universities and colleges offer support for students’ mental health, including wellbeing teams, counselling services, disability support and mental health advisers.
It can help to look at your university website before you start so you know:
- what support is available
- how to access it
- whether there are waiting lists or referral processes
- what support is on offer outside term time
You might also want to look into student organisations like Student Minds for online support.
If you’re moving away from home, it’s usually a good idea to register with a GP near your university straight away.
If you’re currently receiving mental health treatment or taking medication, discuss this with your current GP first.
You should:
- make sure you have enough medication to take with you
- ask how your medical records and prescriptions will transfer
- discuss any support you may need while studying
If you have a mental health condition, learning difference or disability, you may be able to access extra support at university.
You can choose to share this information through your UCAS application or directly with your university’s support services. This information is not used to decide whether you get a place.
Sharing your mental health condition could help you access:
- study adjustments, like lecture recordings, flexible deadlines, or quieter accommodation
- mentoring or wellbeing support
- counselling services
- financial support such as Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for support.
Money worries can have a big impact on your mental health, so it can help to plan ahead where possible. Before starting university, you might want to:
- create a simple budget
- work out your regular costs, like rent, food and travel
- look into bursaries or student finance support
- look for part-time work if that feels manageable for you
Starting university can bring up a mix of emotions – excitement, nerves, pressure or uncertainty. Talking things through with someone you trust before you start can help you feel more prepared.
This could be:
- a friend or family member
- a teacher or tutor
- a support worker
- a faith leader
- a counsellor or therapist
- someone who has already been to university
You don’t have to handle everything on your own.
Coping with student lifestyle
Student life can feel exciting, but it can also be quite full-on.
Here are some key areas of student lifestyle that you might be finding hard, along with tips and advice to help.
At university, you’ll often have more responsibility for planning your own study time. That can feel freeing, but also harder to manage at first.
You might find it helpful to:
- break your workload into smaller, manageable tasks instead of trying to do everything at once
- use a planner or calendar to keep track of deadlines, lectures and key commitments
- plan your week ahead where you can, so things don’t build up last minute
- take advantage of study skills sessions your university offers – these can help with time management, referencing and academic writing
- check in with your workload regularly, especially during busy periods like exams
You don’t need to be productive all the time. Rest is important too, especially during busy periods or when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s also okay if you’re still figuring out what works for you – most students are.
For support and advice on looking after your mental health during exam time, take a look at our guide to exam stress.
If you're neurodivergent, have a learning difference, or live with a mental health condition, some of the suggestions you get given for managing your studies may feel easier said than done. You might find that concentration, motivation, organisation, sensory overload or changes to routine affect how you study. If you're struggling, it's worth speaking to your university about support and adjustments that could help. We also have advice in our guides.
Moving to university can mean adjusting to a completely new environment. You might be living with people you’ve never met before, learning to live independently, or getting used to a different country, city or culture.
Some students enjoy the change straight away, while others take longer to feel comfortable or at home. It’s common to miss familiar routines, feel overwhelmed by your surroundings, or struggle with practical things like cooking, cleaning or sharing space with other people.
It can help to:
- create small routines that make your new space feel more familiar
- decorate your room with things that feel comforting or remind you of home
- explore your local area gradually, like finding nearby cafés, shops or green spaces
- give yourself time to adjust instead of
- talk to your flatmates or accommodation staff if you’re finding shared living difficult
If your living situation is affecting your mental health or making you feel unsafe, it’s important to reach out for support. Your university accommodation team, wellbeing service or Student Union may be able to help.
Starting university often means being surrounded by lots of new people. You might feel pressure to make friends quickly, or like other people are finding friends more easily than you. But remember that lots of people are in the same position as you, and it’s okay to take your time working out who your crowd is.
Some ways to meet new people include:
- joining clubs or societies through your Student Union
- going to course talks, seminars or group chats to meet people on your course
- getting involved in volunteering opportunities through your university, charities or local organisations
- trying online forums or groups linked to your course if you’re studying remotely
Small steps can help too, like saying hello before a lecture, studying in shared spaces, or just chatting in communal areas where you live.
If you don’t immediately click with people, that’s really common. Friendships often build gradually through shared routines like lectures, study sessions or living together.
If you’ve experienced feeling different from your peers – for example because of your background, identity or life experiences – you might find it helpful to connect with communities with similar backgrounds, like peer support groups or identity-based societies.
Sometimes it can feel like there’s pressure to socialise all the time, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed by this or just need some space, that’s okay. You don’t have to go to every social event or constantly be around people to have a meaningful university experience.
Lots of students experience homesickness or loneliness at university, even if they seem confident or sociable on the outside. You might miss people from home, feel disconnected from those around you, or struggle with being away from familiar support and routines.
Loneliness can happen at any point during university, not just when you first arrive. And you might feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by other people, especially if you feel like you haven’t found friends you fully connect with yet.
If you’re feeling homesick or lonely, it might help to:
- stay in touch with people back home through calls, messages or visits
- try to build small connections gradually rather than putting pressure on yourself to make close friends quickly
- spend time in shared spaces, societies or study groups where you can see familiar faces regularly
- remember that friendships often take time to develop
- talk to someone about how you’re feeling instead of keeping it to yourself
If these feelings are starting to affect your mental health, you can also reach out to your university wellbeing service or counselling team for support.
Alcohol can often be part of student social events, but you don’t have to drink to take part in university life. Whether you choose not to drink for personal, health, cultural or religious reasons, there are plenty of ways to get involved and socialise. Many Student Unions and student groups also run alcohol-free events and activities.
If you do choose to drink, it can help to think about how to keep a healthy lifestyle and stay safe. Here are some things to consider:
- try to have regular alcohol-free days
- be aware that alcohol can affect your mood and make mental health difficulties feel worse
- check whether alcohol could interact with any medication you’re taking
- go out with people you trust or arrange to stick together
- keep an eye on your drink and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know
- look out for your friends and ask for help if you need it
You may also find that there’s pressure to experiment with or take recreational drugs in some social settings. If you don’t want to take drugs, you don’t have to, and no one should pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to do.
If you are taking drugs and you’re worried about how it’s impacting you, FRANK has information and advice that can support you. We also have advice in our guide.
Managing your money can feel like a big adjustment at university, especially if it’s not something you’ve had to do much of before. Everyone’s financial situation at university is different, and some students may have more financial pressure or less support than others. This can be difficult to navigate, but there are ways you can keep on top of your finances and lots of tools you can use to help.
You might find it helpful to:
- Create a simple budget: Keeping track of what’s coming in and going out can help you feel more in control of your money. You could use a budgeting app, spreadsheet or notes app – whatever feels easiest for you. Try to include regular costs like rent, food, travel and subscriptions so there are fewer surprises later on.
- Prioritise essentials first: Things like rent, food, bills and course costs are usually the most important expenses to plan around, so try to prioritise these.
- Build in some flexibility: Budgeting doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you enjoy. Trying to leave a little room for social plans, hobbies or treats can make your budget feel more realistic and easier to stick to long term.
- Look into extra financial support: Many universities offer bursaries or emergency support for students who are struggling financially – your Student Union or student support services can help you understand what financial support is available and how to apply. If you have a disability, mental health condition or learning difficulty, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which is a grant to help with study-related costs.
For general budgeting advice and student finance guidance, look at MoneyHelper, Save the Student and The Money Charity. We also have advice in our guide.
When you’re balancing studies, new friendships, work, and possibly living away from home for the first time, it can be easy to stop prioritising your physical health. But your physical health and mental health are closely connected, and looking after your body can make it easier to cope with stress and manage university life.
Try to focus on the basics where you can:
- Sleep: Sleep is often one of the first things to slip at university, especially around deadlines or social plans. But getting enough rest can have a big impact on your mood, concentration and energy levels. Try to build a routine that helps you get regular sleep where possible.
- Food: Changes in routine, stress or finances can make healthy and consistent eating difficult, and many students find themselves skipping meals or relying on convenience food at times. That’s completely normal. The important thing is that you try to eat a regular, balanced diet whenever you can. This can help you feel more focused and energised.
- Movement: Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to help your mental health. Gentle movement like walking, stretching, yoga or swimming can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
Tailored advice for different backgrounds and experiences
University life can feel very different depending on your background, identity, finances, responsibilities and experiences. Things like discrimination, financial pressure, accessibility barriers or feeling underrepresented or othered can all affect your mental health and sense of belonging.
If you’re finding university difficult, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Connecting with people who understand your experiences and accessing support early can help.
Student Minds has tailored advice and stories from students with different identities and experiences, including:
- life as a Disabled student
- life as a Black student
- life as a neurodivergent student
- life as a trans student
- practical tips to help with money worries
We also have lots of advice in our guides.
Getting mental health support at uni
Lots of students need support with their mental health at some point during university. It’s a challenging time and it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe or reach crisis point before getting support.
Support can look different for everyone, and it may take time to figure out what works best for you, but you have lots of options.
Most universities have wellbeing or counselling services for students. Depending on your university, this support might include:
- one-to-one counselling
- wellbeing appointments
- workshops or group support
- mental health advisers
- online resources and apps
You can usually contact these services yourself without needing a GP referral or diagnosis. Visit your university’s website to find out what specific support is available.
Many universities have specialist advisers who support students with mental health difficulties, neurodivergence or disabilities.
They may be able to help with:
- study adjustments, like lecture recordings or quieter accommodation
- support plans and wellbeing check-ins
- mentoring
- exam arrangements, like extra time, a quieter space or completing exams
- extensions or flexible deadlines
Visit the University Mental Health Advisers Network to see what support might be available to you.
You can also get support outside your university through a GP. If you’re moving away for university, it’s usually a good idea to register with a GP near your campus.
If you’re an international student, the NHS and healthcare system in the UK may feel unfamiliar at first. Speak to your university wellbeing team who can help explain how to access support.
When you’re struggling, it can be easy to isolate yourself or feel like nobody understands. But staying connected to people you trust can help you feel less alone. This could be friends at university, housemates, friends back home, or family.
Here are some ways you could keep in touch:
- regular calls or voice notes
- messaging throughout the week
- planning visits home
- sharing updates about how things are going
- spending time with friends or housemates, even in small ways like cooking together or studying in the same space
Talking about how you’re feeling can feel scary, but people often want to help more than you expect. You don’t have to explain everything. Even letting someone know you’ve been finding things difficult can make a difference.
What to do if things start feeling unmanageable
If your mental health is impacting your ability to study or socialise and you’re finding it hard to cope, you have options and help is available.
If your mental health is affecting your studies, it can help to let your tutor, academic supervisor or wellbeing team know as early as possible. Even if they already know about your mental health, they may not realise things have become harder recently.
They may be able to support you with things like:
- flexibility around attendance
- support plans or wellbeing meetings
- accessing counselling or mental health support
- studying part-time
- reducing your workload
- changing or extending deadlines
- extra time in exams
- arranging meetings at times when you cope best
- finding quieter spaces to study or meet staff
It can help to think about what support or changes would make university feel more manageable for you day to day. If it feels difficult to explain what’s going on, you could ask someone you trust to help you contact them.
For some people, taking time away from university can help them recover and decide what they need next. Depending on your course and university, you may be able to:
- defer your studies
- repeat a term or year
- return later when you feel more ready
You might decide to transfer course, take a gap year, start working, or explore alternatives like apprenticeships or vocational training. Talk to your tutor or academic advisor to support you with whatever decision you make.
Changing direction or taking a break does not mean you’ve failed. Looking after yourself and making the decision that feels right for you is important.
Life beyond university
Finishing university can bring a mix of emotions, like excitement, relief, or uncertainty about the future. The transition might feel overwhelming, especially if you’re also dealing with exams, moving house, changes in friendships or relationships, job applications or pressure to have everything figured out.
There’s no right way to feel about leaving university, and no set timeline for what comes next. But whatever your next step looks like, try to take time to recognise what you’ve achieved. Finishing university – or just making a decision about what’s next for you – is a big thing to go through and should be celebrated.
You might already know what you want to do after university, or you might have no idea at all. Both are completely normal.
If you’re finding it hard to decide what to do, it can help to focus on your next small step rather than trying to plan your whole future. Your first job or decision after university does not have to determine the rest of your life.
To help, you could try:
- speaking to your university careers service
- researching careers linked to your course or interests
- exploring further study, apprenticeships or vocational training
- looking into part-time or temporary work while you decide what you want long term
Sometimes it can feel like everyone else has a plan, but lots of people take time to figure out what works for them. Try to be patient with yourself during this transition.
Leaving university can sometimes mean big changes to your friendships, relationships, and support network, especially if people move to different places after graduating.
If there are people you want to stay connected with, it can help to make plans before university ends. This might look like:
- arranging regular calls or messages
- planning visits or meet-ups
- staying connected through group chats or social media
- checking in with each other during stressful periods
If you’re moving somewhere new, think about how you’ll build support and connection there too. This could be going to social events at work, starting a new hobby with others, or joining online communities.
Sometimes people realise that university, a particular course, or a certain environment just isn’t right for them. This might be because of your mental health, finances, personal circumstances, or because your plans have changed.
Whatever the reason, leaving university early can bring up difficult feelings, especially if you’re feeling external pressure to stay or comparing yourself to other people. But leaving doesn’t mean you’ve failed. For some people, taking a break or choosing a different path can improve their mental health and help them feel more settled in the long term.
You might decide to:
- transfer to a different course or university
- take time out and return later
- start working
- do an apprenticeship or vocational course
- focus on your wellbeing before deciding what to do next
People take lots of different routes through education, work and adulthood, and there’s no single timeline you need to follow. It can help to talk through your options with someone you trust, your university support team, or a careers adviser before deciding, but ultimately it’s your choice to do what’s best for you.
Starting work after university can be another big adjustment. Even positive changes can feel stressful, especially while getting used to new routines, responsibilities and expectations.
Work doesn’t have to look one specific way. Some people move into full-time work straight away, while others choose part-time work, freelance work, internships or further study.
As you move into working life, it can help to:
- keep realistic expectations of yourself
- break tasks and plans into smaller steps
- maintain routines around sleep, food and rest
- stay connected to people who support you
- think about what helps you manage your mental health day to day
If you’re starting a job, you may also be able to access support in the workplace. Some people choose to talk to their manager about their mental health or ask for reasonable adjustments at work.
For more advice on transitioning to the world of work, take a look at our blogs from young people.
Get help now
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Student Space
Student Space is run by Student Minds.
Provides information and advice for students on looking after themselves at university.
Offers a directory to find out what support is available at your university.
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Nightline
A free, confidential listening service run by students for students, for you to talk about anything that's on your mind.
Services and opening times vary from institution to institution, but often there is a phone, text, email and live chat service.
See if your university has its own Nightline listening service by searching online. You can also use Nightline's directory by clicking the link below.
- Opening times:
- Varies from university to university
Real stories from young people
This page was reviewed in June 2026.
It was co-created by young people with lived experience of getting mental health support at university.
We will next review the page in 2029.
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