Starting university, or a new university year, can feel overwhelming.
You might be missing home, feeling like you don’t fit in, finding it difficult to get motivated, or worrying about workload. You could also be an international student, struggling with British culture.
We're here to help
Everyone experiences moments where they feel unsure about things, or has a ‘wobble’. Wobbles can happen about anything at any time.
However you are feeling, it’s okay. The university is well prepared to support you. In fact, we run an annual series of events and activities, called 'Wobble Week'...
What's 'Wobble Week'?
A week of activities to support students who might be feeling overwhelmed by university.
Wobble week aims to create a sense of belonging, encouraging honest sharing and acknowledgement of some of our more vulnerable moments.
And, importantly, it's meant to be fun! It's an opportunity to unwind, share and take part, with various activities on offer.
It's a good way to connect with others who might be struggling. It helped to build a support network and talk through things with others.
Wobble Week Conversation Café attendee
Past Wobble Week activities
- Wobble Cafés (hot drinks, board games, crafts and wellbeing information)
- a therapy dogs session for the Faculty of Arts
- halloween pumpkin carving
- craft events
- Wobble Board (staff and students sharing stories of when they faced a wobble/felt uncertain about things)
More from the 2023 Wobble Week
Advice from current students
Students share their tips for dealing with times when they felt overwhelmed.
Some of you might be thinking about going home at this point. Remember, everyone's unique, and like me, during my first year's Wobble Week, you may need to go. However, going home can introduce challenges to your university life; equally, it can help you appreciate it more. Please make your decision carefully, considering what's best for you.
Grace S
Remember to love your alone time! Sometimes, it really helps to step away from everyone and look at your problems in your own ways and come up with solutions to deal with them. It’s natural to always desire the company of your friends and family, but remember that this is your own journey. I’ve realised that a big step towards adulting and independence is to learn to fall in love with my alone time. It keeps me happy and I learn more about myself.
Khushi
Khushi
With deadlines fast approaching and workload increasing, my main advice is to make time for the things you enjoy. Whether that be playing a sport, going out with friends for coffee, or simply a movie night in, prioritising self-care is crucial for your mental health, allowing you to smash your assignments and get the most out of your uni experience.
Daniel
Daniel in Portland Coffee on campus
There are so many people around you who can give you support at university if you’re not quite comfortable confiding in the friends you’ve made at university just yet. Look into speaking to a member of the Support and Wellbeing team as they are there to help you and will be able to point you in the right direction if you need more support.
Grace C
Grace C
If you are struggling...
It's important to recognise when feelings are becoming overwhelming, meaning it could be helpful to reach out to our university support services, or even your GP for more guidance.
You can always speak to your personal tutor in the first instance, or visit our Student Wellbeing Service website, which signposts to a whole range of support.
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