University can provide students with a whirlwind of emotions. This is to be expected. Your whole life changes – you get thrown into the deep end, trying to make sense of an unfamiliar campus whilst attempting to make friends with new social groups that put you out of your comfort zone. Adding depression into this already chaotic mix can be quite the battle.
My experience of depression at University has been one heck of a rollercoaster. I’ve had ups and downs which have meant that I have gone from feeling on top of the world to losing motivation rather quickly. This is only made worse by the fact that I commute; whilst commuting is definitely the best option for me, the travel to and from Uni can be mentally exhausting. Just going out for a couple hours can take its toll.
There really is no way to glamorise mental illness – the truth is that depression can lead someone to spend most of their day in bed, unable to do their work, miss seminars and struggle to do the everyday things that someone else would find so simple. I’ve experienced all of this. I’ve experienced times when I’ve felt so isolated, scrolling endlessly through Instagram, looking at other students on my course making tons of friends and partying until the early hours. That’s enough to make you want to drop out of Uni but with perseverance and support things have got better. I still experience low periods but I have been able to manage this to make my experience of University more enjoyable.
I don’t claim to be an expert but here are a few things that have worked for me when dealing with depression at Uni.
Contact Your Uni Wellbeing Services
I was a little apprehensive about contacting support services at my Uni. I doubted that I would be taken seriously – would I be viewed as just another number? However, after missing a fair few seminars and getting behind with my work, I knew that I needed to get some extra support as I clearly wasn’t able to ‘fix’ things myself. My Uni wellbeing team created a Reasonable Adjustment Plan which set out extra means of support I was entitled to that could be shared with my tutors. This was a really reassuring plan and helped me feel worthy of the help. I would encourage anybody who is struggling with their mental health at Uni to contact these support services as their first port of call.
Speak To Your GP
Speaking to your GP can be rather daunting but it is such an important step to getting you back to feeling more like yourself again. If you are too anxious or simply cannot mentally speak to your GP yourself it is possible to have someone speak on your behalf, as long as you consent. My parents did this for me which enabled me to be given medication that has been so helpful. I know there can be some stigma around medication but if it helps, it helps. If you feel up to speaking to the GP yourself, you can go in with flashcards that remind you of the key things you need to discuss or even have a telephone appointment if a face-to-face appointment is too much for you.
Never Compare Yourself To Others
This is easier said than done, I know! The worst thing you can do when you are depressed is to compare yourself to others who are seemingly out there living their best lives. As soon as you accept that you have a mental illness and that you are unable to do the things that others are, you will start to feel happier. Why kick yourself when you’re down? Try to understand your illness and focus on taking small steps on the road to recovery rather than thinking that you should be achieving things that aren’t possible for you right now.
Join A Society
When you can’t get out of bed, the last thing you are probably wanting to do is to join a society at Uni. However, there are some societies that you can join from the comfort of your own home, that allow you to make friends online meaning that things won’t seem as lonely when you head to campus in person. I joined my student newspaper and gained lots of motivation writing articles. Societies are a great way of giving you a purpose to get up in the morning and are also super enjoyable!
Open Your Curtains
This is such a simple tip but it can be completely life changing for someone with depression. Shutting yourself away in complete darkness just makes your mood worse but once you let the sunlight in it can help lift your spirits. The glow of the sun can be such a beautiful reminder that there is hope out there.