Written by Tabitha and reviewed by our team. Tabitha is a Kortext student ambassador at the University of Exeter
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves – how you’re really feeling at uni.
University is often hyped up as the best time of your life: endless freedom, new friends, parties, and personal growth.
And while there’s plenty of excitement, what’s often missing from the highlight reel are the mental health challenges many students quietly face. From homesickness to revision burnout, uni can often feel a bit overwhelming, lonely, and a lot more emotionally intense than people expect.
So, let’s be real for a second. Here’s an honest, student-to-student guide to looking after your mental health while navigating the rollercoaster of university life.
You’re not the only one struggling
It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one not completely thriving at uni. But, behind closed doors, so many students are quietly dealing with symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, or stress. You’re not weird. You’re not failing. You’re human. Opening to friends or seeking help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.
Homesickness is totally normal
Whether you moved an hour away or across the country, feeling homesick hits hard and often unexpectedly throughout the year. It doesn’t mean you’re not ready for uni. It means you’re adjusting to a big change. Stay connected to home but also give yourself space to create your new normal.
Routines can be a lifesaver
When everything feels chaotic, building little rituals can anchor you. Regular sleep, meals, walks, or even just a weekly coffee with a mate can give structure to your week. Start small. Your routine doesn’t need to be perfect, just yours.
The academic pressure is real
Deadlines, essays, reading lists and exams, it piles up fast. Imposter syndrome is also a sneaky demon. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone, a tutor, a course mate, your wellbeing team. No grade is worth burning out over. You’re more than your grade.
Know what support is out there
Most unis offer free mental health resources counselling, workshops, helplines, and wellbeing services. Use them! They exist for you. Also look at national services like Mind, Student Minds, and Nightline. You don’t have to face things alone.
(You can access Student Mind’s Student Space here by logging into your Kortext account).
Be gentle with yourself
You’re not going to have it together all the time and that’s okay. Some days you’ll thrive. Other days you’ll eat toast in bed and shed tears over a tricky assignment. Let yourself feel your feelings without judgement. Healing isn’t linear, and growth can be messy.
You’ve got this
University is a time of massive change: emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s normal to struggle. What matters is that you don’t suffer in silence. Reach out. Rest when you need to. Talk to people who get it.
And remember you’re not falling behind you’re just finding your way.
You’ve got this, one day at a time.
