5 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Starting University 

Are you feeling nervous about starting university? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. You’ll find that most people have butterflies in their stomach and slight nervous energy during their first few days or weeks of uni.  

There are lots of changes that come with uni life – whether that’s moving away from home for the first time, making friends and finding your crowd, or learning how to manage the workload. 

So, to help you take the pressure of, we’ve pulled together five ways to take the stress out of starting university, so you can focus on embracing everything that this journey has to offer. 

Tips to help you feel less stressed about starting uni 

It will take time to adjust 

It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous about moving into uni accommodation or going to your first lecture. The fact that you are doing something new and taking steps out of your comfort zone is a huge achievement. Be proud of yourself for this! 

When you look around during your first few days, just know that everyone will either be new to campus, to Manchester, or even to the country. Give yourself a couple of weeks to figure out how things work on campus. Walk around the buildings, speak to your course mates, your lecturers and go to the Welcome events.  

You might have this idea of what the ‘university experience’ looks like. But, in reality, it will look different for each person. If you want to go on nights out in Manchester, then do so responsibly. But equally, if you don’t want to go out drinking all the time, don’t feel a pressure that you have to do this to fit in.  

There are so many wonderful experiences waiting for you at university. So, figure out what you want to get out of being at uni and create your own plan. Whether you want to focus on explaining your knowledge, pushing yourself personally, or a mix of both, just know that it’s up to you to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.  

Focus on different ways to make friends 

People often say that you find your best friends at university, but don’t worry about doing that immediately – you’re likely to find your friends in unexpected places! 

If you’re living on campus, getting to know your flatmates, even if they have different interests to you, is a great way to settle into university life. Your flatmates will likely be going to the same events as you, be able to explore the city together, and will be the people you spend most of your time with – even if you don’t share the same course! 

But making friends can be as easy as talking to other students in your lectures, organising study dates or coffee shop hangouts, and even taking on a part time job on campus through Jobs4Students. It’s important to remember that, even as a commuter student, you can still participate in on-campus activities such as welcome events and societies, as well as make the most of Manchester’s night bus services for evening events. 

Try Something New 

University is the perfect time to try something new. Whether that’s a sporting activity, something creative, or simply finding people who can relate to your experiences. Our clubs and societies cover all of this and more. 

With options for try-out sessions and introductory meet ups, fresher’s week is a great time to join a new club. Why not attend our Fresher’s Fair to meet the friendly faces behind some of our biggest clubs and socs, as well as snatching up some freebies and student deals along the way? 

Taking on a new hobby gives you a reason to get out and talk to people about something you enjoy. It’s also a great way to start new friendships and boost your mental health and wellbeing. 

Get Into a Good Routine Early 

Having a routine is more important than you might think! If you are moving away from home for the first time, you might find that you have more freedom and less contact hours than before. Getting into a healthy routine will keep you motivated and focused on the week ahead. 

Having dedicated time to study and relax will prevent you from burning out. You might decide to study between the hours of 9am – 5pm on weekdays and take your weekends off to unwind. Or you might find that smaller pockets of study time every morning works better for you, with the afternoon off to meet friends or go to the gym. 

However, you plan your week, getting the right balance between your studies and your free time is essential. But this also applies to all areas of self-care, including having three healthy meals at regular times, which has proven to improve sleep and motivation! But it could also be as simple as talking a walk to explore the city, reading a book for fun, listening to your favourite music, or separating your workspace from your rest space. 

Know that help and support is always available 

The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay to reach out when you need support. At Manchester Met, we have several resources that you can rely on, no matter how you are feeling. 

Here’s just a few places you can reach out to when you need support: 

Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing Service - With a range of available one-to-one appointments and wellbeing workshops and podcasts, our team are here to support you with anything from personal to academic issues. 

24/7 Student Helpline – In partnership with Spectrum.life, this helpline is active 24/7, 365 days of the year, and available for you to talk to a professional team of counsellors about any personal issues. 

Union’s Advice Centre – For support and advice on everything from academic issues to finances and housing, the Union’s Advice Centre is open by appointment, Monday-Friday. For support regarding drug and/or alcohol use, there is drop-in session every Monday from 2-4pm. 

Chaplaincy - There are various ways for you to connect with a chaplain or faith leader during your time at Manchester Met. Whether you are seeking support, guidance, or just someone who understands your background.