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Looking After Yourself in Third Year

Hi Everyone!

With the new term rapidly approaching, I'm sure the nerves are kicking in - particularly for those of you starting your final year. You've spent the last two years (or maybe more, depending on your course) working hard, making friends and pulling all-nighters in the library. And yet, it will all be over in a few months. Scary, huh?

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Looking after your mental health has never been more vital than it will be this year. You're about to enter one of the most significant stages of your life and so, ensuring that you're in a good place, physically and mentally, will go a long way to helping you achieve the best results academically.

Exercise and Sports: Yay!

I'll take you back to 2015/16 and to my final year at university. I achieved a 2.1 for my BA degree, despite a year where I was plagued by anxiety and depression, partly caused by a family bereavement a matter of weeks before the new term started. I turned to an old friend of mine: Exercise.

Now, I can see your eyes widening in horror and, honestly, I know that going for a morning jog isn't everyone's cup of tea. But, I'll let you in on this - as much as I love a morning run (or even an evening run if the weather is good), I find it as hard to get myself up, ready and out of the door as the next person does.

My alarm would go off at 7am and I'd take one look at the frosty pavements, and decide that I would start changing my life the following day instead. I repeated this pattern several times until, one day at the end of the week, I dragged myself out of the house and managed to put one foot in front of the other.

I returned home half an hour later, panting and sweating in the morning sunlight, but once I had caught my breath, I felt fresh and ready for the day. I had a clearer head and, as a result, I was always more productive on those days.

Now, a word of reassurance: you don't have to take up jogging. Thankfully, there are other forms of exercise which might prove a better fit, such as Yoga, Zumba or Pilates. Or, if you're a more sporty type, your university will have football, rugby, hockey, or any other type of club that tickles your fancy.

Sport, or exercise in general, is not only good for a healthy dose of seratonin, it's also a great way to meet new friends as well. So, whether you're mega competitive and want to be the best in class each week, or you want to meet a new friend who will hide at the back with you, while you discuss what happened in last night's Emmerdale, you will meet plenty of new people and it's a great chance to make some new pals.

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Have a Hot Bath 

Away from exercise (I heard that sigh of relief...), there are other ways to look after your mental health. Why not play some cool tunes while you relax in a nice, hot bath? Nearly all of my third year housemates loved a singalong in the bath or shower. But don't worry, solo, bathtime kareoke isn't a legal requirement at university. It can be equally therapeutic to just have your tunes at a low volume while you chill, particularly if you don't want the neighbours to know which Spice Girls song is your favourite.

Counselling and Talking Therapies

If you simply need someone to talk to once a week, your university doctor can refer you for counselling and other talking therapies. where you'll be able to meet with a mental health professional and discuss ways to overcome any issues you have. It's private and confidential, and so you can talk about anything you need to.
Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

Check in with the Fam

Check in with the family, or even an old school friend. I used FaceTime for the first time in my third year, to have a catch up with an old pal and I showed them around my house. I'm sure many of you will already call your parents regularly while you're away at uni, but just remember that your family and friends are all proud of you for moving away and studying for an exciting future, and they will love to hear how you're getting on! Seeing an old, friendly face from home will help to make you feel safe and reassured.

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