Wellbeing
What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing is not just the absence of disease or ill-health.
"Wellbeing is a state in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." The World Health Organisation.
What is student wellbeing?
Student wellbeing is about finding a balanced approach to life while you are at university. This means taking care of your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Student wellbeing includes:
- getting the right balance between your academic and social life: studying well and having fun!
- managing your financial health, and learning to how to plan your spending and budget effectively
- understanding the importance of eating well, being active and sleeping enough.
- feeling part of, and contributing to, a community. This involves developing relationships so you can reach out for help and support when you feel you need it and knowing who your support networks are.
Who are my support networks while at university?
- Your peer group – your fellow students on your course, in your halls or shared house, your friends.
- Student Services - Counselling and wellbeing team (the contact for this would be Moulsecoomb site office – 01273 642895), Disability and Dyslexia team, Careers, Chaplaincy and the Student Advice Service.
- School office and academic staff - including your personal tutor, and your academic school's Student Support and Guidance Tutor, who can help you with academic issues.
- Students' Union who are independent from the university and are here to represent you and your experience at university.
- Your friends and family back home - keep in touch with old friends, parents and siblings.
I am finding it difficult to make friends and socialise with students on my course, where can I go for support?
Meeting new people and forming new relationships can be a challenging time. There are several support networks within the university who try to put you at ease during those first few weeks of starting your course. Throughout Welcome Week you will be introduced to the people who provide support from such areas as Student Services, the Student Union, Student Support and Guidance tutors and personal tutors. Their role is to offer support and guidance through times of need while you are at university.
This is my first time away from home, I am worried I won't be able to cope.
Student Services offer support on every university site. Within the service there is a team of counselling professionals who can help you talk through any issues you might experience during your time at university. There are also teams of advisers in financial matters, disability and dyslexia and spiritual support through the Chaplaincy. It is important to remember you are not alone and these feelings will be experienced by many students starting university for the first time. The university is well equipped to support you through these times of change.
What is the holistic student experience?
Where a student is able to look after themselves physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and financially. The whole student is catered for in that you are aware of supporting different aspects of your life and maintain a balance between them.
What is an out-of-balance student experience?
An example of an out-of-balance student experience could include excessive academic focus to the detriment of any social life, possibly resulting in isolation and contributing to depression.
The opposite out-of-balance experience could be excessive socialising to the detriment of studies; it could include problems with drugs and alcohol and may contribute to depression or result in poor results or dropping out of the course. Get your life in balance: eat well, sleep well, study well and socialise well.
What is resilience?
Being able to cope and knowing where to go for support or guidance if you get stuck.
What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is the way you feel about yourself and equates to how confident you may or may not feel. We hope you can develop a sense of high self-esteem while at university and feel confident about yourself and your student experience. Sometimes a lack of confidence can make it hard to socialise or do well with your studies. Student Services are here to support your experience at university. If there is something you wish to discuss with an advisor or counsellor do get in touch.
Why is wellbeing important?
While at university you are the one in charge of your life, you have the freedom and responsibility to take care of yourself. Your family or partner may be far away. So it is up to you to understand how important your health and wellbeing are and take charge, possibly for the first time in your life, or because you have the time and space away from other roles to think about yourself as a priority. Of course your wellbeing will have an impact on your studies and we want you to flourish academically. But we also want you to have a holistic student experience, to enjoy your time and get to know yourself better. Time at university is an important stage in your personal and professional development. You have the competence to set support networks in place and develop a good sense of self-esteem while here. This can prepare you for the rest of your life.
