Starting university is an exciting new chapter, but it can also come with a lot of change. A new place, new people, new routines and more independence can feel overwhelming, and that’s completely normal.

The first few weeks aren’t always as effortless as they look on social media. While it can seem like everyone else has instantly found their friendship group and settled in, most people are still finding their feet.

Here are a few tips from CODE to help look after your mental health during the transition:

🌱 Give yourself time

You don’t have to settle in straight away. Building a routine, making friends and feeling comfortable in a new environment takes time. Try not to put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out within the first few weeks.

When you move into CODE, we’ll provide you with a range of printed resources to help make your transition into university as smooth as possible. Everyone gets wellbeing information when they move in to help you check in with your emotions and understand how you’re feeling. We encourage all our students to make use of these resources as you settle into university life and build healthy habits from the beginning.

🏠 It’s okay to miss home

Feeling homesick doesn’t mean you’re not enjoying university. Stay connected with family and friends, bring some familiar things from home and give yourself time to adjust.

Sometimes, all you need is a familiar face and a little reminder of home. At CODE, your friends and family are always welcome to visit, whether it’s for a quick cup of tea and a catch-up or an overnight stay. We want you to feel comfortable, supported and at home, every step of the way.

💬 Talk to someone

If things are feeling overwhelming, don’t keep it all to yourself. Talk to a friend, flatmate, family member or someone at your university. At CODE, you‘re never alone. All our staff are mental health trained and are always on hand for a friendly chat, a listening ear, or support whenever you need it. Sometimes simply saying how you’re feeling can make things feel more manageable.

We also operate regular well-being checks for those that are finding things difficult and work with the university mental health teams on a number of individual cases.

🧠 Look after the basics

Sleep, food, fresh air, exercise and taking breaks can all have a big impact on your mental wellbeing. University life can get busy, so make time for yourself too.

Why not make the most of CODE’s free on-site gym or join one of our fitness classes? Whether you want to go on your own or bring a friend along, it’s a great way to build exercise into your daily routine and leaves you feeling re-energised and refreshed.

Find out more about our free on-site gym in Leicester.

Find out more about our free on-site gym in Coventry.

📱 Don’t compare

Everyone’s university experience is different. Social media usually shows the best moments, not the homesickness, anxiety or difficult days behind the scenes. Focus on your own journey rather than comparing it to someone else’s.

❤️ Remember: you’re not alone

It takes time to adjust to a completely new life. There will be good days and difficult days, and that’s okay. You don’t have to have the perfect university experience — you just need to take it one day at a time.

And if you’re ever feeling lonely or looking to meet new people, we’re here to help! Throughout the year we host a variety of free events for you to get involved in, giving you the chance to make new friends, try something different and feel part of the CODE community.

Take a look at our events in Leicester.

Take a look at our events in Coventry.

From everyone at CODE, remember: it’s okay to not have it all figured out yet. Give yourself time, look after yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it.