Preparing yourself mentally for university life

One step at a time

Your time at UoN will be filled with memories as you see your experiences help you grow in ways you probably couldn't have predicted. This journey will present a variety of opportunities and challenges, both academically and personally. To make the most out of this period of your life, mental preparation is key for overcoming all those potential obstacles. Keep reading to find out how you can prepare yourself and some handy advice on what's to come.

Embrace change

Uni is like a ticket to discover new things about yourself and the world. Embrace the shake-ups that come with a fresh environment, new people and experiences because there will likely be a lot of them. It's to be expected to be nervous about so much change but it will also be exciting too if you embrace it. Be open to the shake-up of your routine and before you know it, everything will feel natural again.

Positivity and resilience

Focus on the potential for growth, friendships, and learning. Approach challenges as chances to improve and build resilience. We are all human and a big part of being a human is growing from the hard times we have to face. By making the most of the positive changes that come with uni, you will be able to overcome anything that comes your way.

Realistic goals

Establish achievable academic, personal, and social goals. Rather than looking at the bigger picture, just take each step as progress that will eventually add up to an ideal conclusion. Each step will then feel great as you can easily measure how far you've come. To do this effectively, you'll need to balance your responsibilities with your own well-being. All work and no play is no way to spend your time at uni!

Connections and support

There's a lot on offer when it comes to connections and support. You might want to start to think about what kind of connections you want to build with your peers and how exactly you want to go about it. Joining a club or society is a  great way to form new connections and create support circles. You can also utilise support services like counselling and academic advisors if needed.

Time management

Since there will be a lot going on you might at first struggle to manage your time. It's good to consider what has worked in the past say for school or work and building upon that for uni. Everyone has different methods that work well for them, so take the time to figure out what works. Future you will appreciate the effort as you'll spend your time more efficiently and will be less stressed.

Self-care and stress relief

You should always try to find stuff that puts a smile on your face and chills you out. Whether it's hobbies, staying in activities, or even napping. Food is always a good option for self-care, just make sure to keep it balanced so you are still looking after your body. Uni isn't always going to be stress-free, so it would be smart to think of some ways you can relieve stress when it comes your way. Deep breathing, mindfulness apps, or just keeping in contact with your friends and family.

Mentally prepare for university's transformative journey, equipping yourself to face challenges and embrace growth. Enjoy this exciting chapter with confidence and strength, you got this!

And if you need any more help or support, get in touch with ResX:

Telephone: 0115 748 7600
Email: resx@nottingham.ac.uk