For many people, their time at university is the most memorable time of their lives. The university experience should always ultimately be a positive one, even if the journey from enrolment to graduation can be quite an arduous one. There are a number of challenges that students will face at university, both educational and personal, and the combined demands can put a strain on even the strongest of minds.
Here, we look at the importance of looking after your mental health and how your student accommodation can help.
Mental Health at University
The NHS estimates that around 1-in 4 people in the UK will suffer from mental health issues at some point in their lives. For students, the figure is even higher, owing to the great amount of stress they find themselves under when compared to the general population.
Most universities today provide the students with some form of on-site mental health support, such as counsellors. However, as in wider society, universities are still much better at treating physical ailments than psychological ones.
For many students, university will be the first time that they have spent an extended period of time away from home. Even for a young adult, this can be an emotionally trying experience the first time. The type of accommodation that you live in while at university can have a significant impact on your overall experience. For many people, the right or wrong accommodation can be the difference between good mental health and a severe emotional struggle.
It’s Where You Will Relax
Whichever type of accommodation you settle on, your room will be where you spend most of your downtime. If you’re in a cramped room in halls with inconsiderate neighbours, or in a house share with housemates who don’t respect your personal space, this can make it difficult to relax whenever you do have precious time off.
For many students, it is worth spending the extra money on student apartments that provide an additional layer of comfort and security. Businesses like Collegiate provide award-winning student accommodation up and down the country. Their student accommodation comes with all the creature comforts that a modern student could possibly want, and at an affordable price. If you want to be guaranteed good accommodation, look into providers like Collegiate as soon as you can; don’t leave it until a week before the term starts.
Your Own Personal Space
We all need our own personal space. Not just so we can take a break from other people, but so we can decorate it and make it our own. Having a space that is truly your own to come back to when you’re having a tough day can make a real difference to your emotional health.
It Will Affect Your Social Life
For any student, it is very important to strike an appropriate balance between studying and socialising. The type of accommodation that you are staying in will affect your ability to entertain other students and can affect your social life more broadly. For example, if your accommodation is a long way from the city centre, you might have difficulty making it out to social events. Make sure that you consider this when you are deciding on the right accommodation.
Having your own space will be very important at university. Students who don’t think much about this beforehand often end up facing additional difficulties with their emotional health because of it. If you are someone who is susceptible to mental health issues, try to sort out your student accommodation as soon as you can in advance of the term.
