Six ways to look after your health and access the right support

University is an exciting and fun chapter in your life. For many it’s the first time living away from home, which brings a lot of freedom. But with this newfound freedom comes the responsibility of taking care of your health without your parents or loved ones reminding you. 

But with so much to take in during your first few weeks, how do you find those key bits of information that will help you to start uni on the right tracks? To make it easier for you, we have put together five ways to look after your physical and mental health during your time at university. And if you ever need support, we’ve also provided the key places you can go to and get the advice you need.  

How to look after health and wellbeing at uni 

1. Register yourself with a doctor (GP) and dentist 

Because you will spend more of your time at university than your home address, it is important to register with a doctor and dentist who are close to campus. Visit the NHS ‘Find a GP’ and ‘Find a Dentist’ pages to find services local to you.  

By registering with a GP, you will have access to a range of health services, including: 

• General medical advice 

• Medical examinations 

• Sexual health screenings and advice 

• Vaccinations (including the MenACWY for meningitis protection and MMR for mumps and measles) 

• Prescriptions 

Your doctor can also help to refer you to more specialist services. 

2. Know the symptoms of the most common illnesses 

If you start to feel under the weather, it can be difficult to know why you are feeling unwell and what you should do about it. Being able to spot the signs and symptoms of common illnesses can help you in getting the right medical help.  

Get familiar with the most common conditions below: 

• Meningitis 

• Measles 

• Mumps 

• Rubella (German Measles) 

• Glandular Fever 

• Sepsis 

• COVID-19 

Visit NHS Health A to Z to learn more about conditions, symptoms, and treatment information. 

3. Check your vaccination status 

Last year we saw an increase in measles cases in Greater Manchester. The advice from Manchester Public Health is to check your vaccination status and to get protected. NHS England are encouraging students to have their free MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and MenACWY (meningitis and septicaemia) vaccines. 

There will be MMR vaccination drop-ins for students taking place across campus in September: 

• 12, 19 and 27 September: Business School, 10am-2pm 

• 24 and 30 September: Brooks Building, 10am-2pm 

If you’re not sure whether you are vaccinated, you can still come along to these drop-ins to get advice and more information. 

You can find out more about the winter measles vaccination pop-ups on the Manchester City Council website. 

4. Get into healthy habits early 

A healthy mind often starts with a healthy body. When you first start university, it can be easy to fall into the habit of eating takeaways everyday as the easiest and fastest option whilst you are busy. But this can leave you feeling more tired and more likely to get ill. 

Take care of your body by trying to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Not only will this help boost your mood and energy levels, but it will also give your immune system a boost too. If you want some inspiration on how to whip up some easy tasty food, check out these easy student recipes. 

Exercise is also great way to lift your mood. This can be as simple as taking a walk in a local park or having your own dance party in your flat or house. If gym classes are your thing, check out our Active Campus timetable for a range of free sports and fitness classes for all students.  

5. Learn to say no (when you need to) 

There are some many new opportunities and experiences at university – events, places to explore and meeting lots of new people. Whilst we want you to make the most of everything on offer, remember you don’t have to say ‘yes’ to everything.  

This might sound like strange advice, but trying to do too much at once may increase your risk of burning out. It is important to give yourself ‘me time’. This could include watching your favourite TV show, reading a book in your bedroom, getting some fresh air, or grabbing a coffee. Quality downtime will help you successfully navigate the times that are naturally more challenging such as during assessments.  

6. Take a sensible approach to drinking 

We know that as part of your university experience you might want to go on night’s out, or to parties with your new friends, which may include drinking. If this is something you choose to do, make sure you only drink in moderation and don’t overdo it. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water throughout the night and never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. 

Remember, going out with your mates doesn’t always mean going to a bar or pub. Why not check out some of the fun things you can do in Manchester without alcohol? 

Where to go when you need support 

Get medical advice when you need it 

If you need medical help (and it’s not an emergency) you can: 

• Visit 111.nhs.ukonline or call 111 

• Talk to a pharmacist for advice about medication or common health issues such as rashes, coughs and colds. Use the NHS ‘Find a Pharmacy’ page to search for one close to you 

• Book an appointment with your doctor or dentist 

In a medical emergency, you should always call 999 

Visit the ‘Getting medical care as a student’ NHS page for more guidance. 

Mental health and wellbeing support 

If you feel like you need some extra support, take the first step by getting in touch. Our Counselling, Mental Health, and Wellbeing services offer 1-2-1 appointments. You can also access our 24/7 student support helpline from Spectrum.Life, where you can talk to a trained counsellor at any time. They can help with everything from work and life balance issues to relationship problems.  

You can also reach out to your Student Union Advice Centre, where you can get free and confidential advice in a safe space. Their trained advisors can help with issues around housing, academic challenges, and financial support.  

If you would prefer to talk to someone outside of the University, you can also contact your GP or the UK’s student mental health charity Student Minds.