Starting university is a time of big change. Whether you are commuting into university, moving to Leeds, or are new to the UK entirely, starting university is likely to feel overwhelming and disorienting at first. This is completely normal.
You may feel positive emotions, such as excitement and joy. However, it is also common to experience nervousness, stress or homesickness.
Ways to feel settled
Some things you can do to help you feel settled at university include:
- creating a consistent routine and create a sense of predictability
- getting out and familiarise yourself with the campus, your accommodation and the local area
- getting involved in events and activities where you can meet other students
- not putting pressure on yourself to settle in quickly. Different people adapt to change in different ways so try not to compare yourself with other students and take things at your own pace
- treating yourself with kindness and compassion. Feeling out-of-place, homesick or awkward is completely normal for new students and isn’t a sign that you are doing something wrong.
Support from outside the University
- Student Minds – Feeling homesick at university
- Save the Student – 29 things to do when starting university
Support from the University
There is support available from the University to help you settle in and make your time here enjoyable:
- Complete the Looking after your wellbeing at university module.
- Explore our therapeutic support groups and workshops – the wellbeing and self-care module can provide you with techniques to look after your wellbeing.
- Explore our Ways to meet people section.