8 Self-Care Tips For Students During Freshers Week

Feeling anxious about Freshers’ week? Although it can be a very exciting time for many, some may feel anxious and nervous about being in a new city surrounded by people they do not know. This is where self-care comes in! It’s essential to remember that preparing for university and Freshers’ Week can be stressful, but there are things you can do to make yourself feel better along the way. 

Discover 8 self-care tips to help improve your mental health during Freshers’ Week and university as a whole. 

1. Get Plenty Of Sleep 

It may sound simple, but a lack of sleep can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health. Freshers Week can be a very busy and overwhelming week. But you don’t have to go out every night. Not getting enough sleep can affect your mental processes, like learning and your memory. Adults need, on average 7 hours of sleep a night so prioritise planning time to catch up on sleep and rest when you can, you’ll need it! Power naps will become your new best friend. 

2. Exercise 

Your physical health can have an impact on your mood and mental well-being. No one is saying you need to spend hours in the gym; something as simple as going for a walk is a great way to get your body moving. Go for a walk around campus, it’s the perfect way to get some exercise and navigate your way around the buildings where your lectures will be held. 

Explore your university’s fitness facilities. Most universities offer sports clubs like basketball, fencing, boxing and even Quidditch! Take some time in freshers week to explore all the sports societies at your university to find something that suits you, or even try something new.  

3. Keep In Touch With Family & Friends 

Being homesick as a student is another factor that can affect your mental health. It can be difficult to be in a new city surrounded by unfamiliar faces, especially if this is your first time away from home. This can often leave students feeling anxious. It is important to stay connected with your family and friends back home. Text, call, or FaceTime them so you can stay connected, whether it’s for a catch-up or some advice from people who have known you longer than your new university friends. It is important to have a support network throughout university, not just during Freshers’ Week. 

4. Check In With Yourself 

Freshers Week can be overwhelming and overstimulating. You will receive so much information about your course, meet 100s of new people and get used to a new environment. Recognise the signs when you are feeling overwhelmed. Make time for yourself throughout the week to check in with yourself and have some quiet time. Do something you enjoy, like an activity or have a little pamper session, it can have a big impact on your overall mental health. Some often find journaling a good way to get down how they are feeling before becoming overwhelmed, so you can spot signs that you need to take some time for yourself. There is plenty of time to go out and get to know your new friends, but make sure you are looking after yourself first. 

5. Know Your Limits 

One of the best things to learn at university, especially during freshers week, is your limits. Alcohol and freshers week go hand in hand, but too much drinking can affect your physical and mental health. Learn to say no when you are at your limits. There is no pressure to go to every event every night! Listen to your body and take nights off when you need to. Alcohol is a depressant, so it can have an impact on your mental health, especially if you are already feeling homesick and overwhelmed. 

6. Eat Healthy & Stay Hydrated

Your brain needs good fuel! Everyone loves a cheeky Domino’s, but eventually your body will feel bloated and tired. Try to include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Batch cooking is a great way to make sure you have a healthy, balanced diet. Foods like bolognese are great for batch cooking and freezing. This way, you have a meal ready after a long day when you don’t feel like cooking.  

Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and night, especially when you are planning on a freshers’ night out. 

7. Budget 

Freshers’ events can all add up and become very costly. Try to create small budgets for yourself on nights out. Consider taking cash out with you rather than your card. This way, you won’t be tempted to spend more than you have, helping money be one less thing to worry about. You can even cook meals and do food shopping with your housemates to split the cost and save some money. 

Don’t forget to utilise student discounts when you can. 

8. Try A Digital Detox

Social media can have a big impact on students’ mental health. Take a break from your screens and limit doom scrolling, and replace it with going for a walk or getting to know your new housemates. It’s easy to compare your university experience with your friends who post on social media, but it’s important to remember that not everything you see on social media is real. People only post about their best experiences, not the struggles they may also be facing, so try not to compare yourself or your experience so far to others on social media.

University Trained Mental Health First Aiders At Lettuce Student Accommodation 

Staying at a Lettuce Student Accommodation property offers many benefits, including being close to campus, on-site maintenance teams, and a night manager at Willowbanks Mews. But the biggest benefit is access to a trained mental health first aider. Your mental well-being is important to us, and we are here to listen. We have a trained mental health first aider on site who is always open to support you. Our door is always open. We also conduct regular welfare visits. 

Looking for your next student accommodation? Check out all the properties we have available for the next academic year.