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How to Beat the Post-Freshers Slump at University

Freshers’ Week can make university feel like one long introduction to a completely new life. There are new people everywhere, societies competing for your attention, nights out, welcome events and the novelty of finally having your own space.

Then, quite suddenly, things become more ordinary.

Lectures start properly. Deadlines appear on your course portal. Everyone seems busier. The constant stream of social events slows down, and the excitement of arriving at university can be replaced by tiredness, homesickness or a feeling that things are not quite as exciting as you expected.

This is sometimes referred to as the post-Freshers slump, and it is a very normal part of settling into university life.

Why the Post-Freshers Slump Happens

The first few weeks of university can be intense.

You might be meeting dozens of new people, learning your way around a new city, trying different societies, going out more than usual and adjusting to living away from home.

That level of excitement is difficult to maintain.

Once teaching begins, students at universities such as the University of Birmingham, Cardiff University, the University of Bristol or Loughborough University may suddenly find themselves balancing lectures, seminars, reading, assignments, socialising and everyday responsibilities.

The contrast can feel surprisingly dramatic.

One week, everything feels new. The next, you are deciding when to do your washing and wondering how you already have three deadlines approaching.

Build a Routine That Actually Works for You

One of the best ways to feel more settled is to establish some kind of routine.

That does not mean planning every hour of your week. Instead, try to create a little structure around the things that matter.

You might decide that weekday mornings are for lectures and studying, Wednesday evenings are for a society, Friday nights are for socialising and Sunday afternoons are for food shopping and getting organised.

Simple routines can make university feel far less chaotic.

It can also help to treat your university timetable a little like a working week. If you have a two-hour gap between lectures, for example, consider using some of that time in the library rather than automatically returning to your accommodation.

You may be surprised how much easier your evenings feel when some of your work is already done.

Remember That Friendships Take Time

Freshers’ Week can create the impression that everyone instantly finds their best friends. In reality, university friendships often develop gradually.

The people you spent every evening with during your first week might not become your closest friends, while someone you occasionally speak to in a seminar could eventually become one of them.

Keep giving yourself opportunities to meet people.

Attend society events, speak to coursemates before lectures, join sports clubs or simply spend time in shared areas of your accommodation.

Universities including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Leicester and the University of Manchester offer hundreds of societies and student groups, covering everything from sport and volunteering to gaming, culture, music and academic interests.

You do not have to become heavily involved in everything. Finding one or two groups that genuinely interest you can make a big difference.

Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To

When the excitement of Freshers’ Week disappears, university can sometimes start to feel like lectures, supermarket trips and laundry.

Give yourself small things to look forward to.

That could be trying a new café, organising a film night with your housemates, visiting somewhere nearby or planning a cheap day trip.

Even something as simple as cooking together on a Friday night can give your week a bit more structure.

You do not need a packed social calendar. In fact, constantly trying to recreate Freshers’ Week can quickly become exhausting and expensive. University life becomes much more enjoyable when ordinary days start feeling comfortable too.

Look After the Basics

The post-Freshers slump can sometimes be made worse by something very simple: exhaustion.

Late nights, takeaway food, irregular sleeping patterns and a few weeks of constant socialising eventually catch up with most people.

Try getting back to the basics.

Eat proper meals, drink enough water, get outside during the day and give yourself enough sleep.

Exercise can help too. You do not necessarily need a gym membership. Walking to lectures rather than taking the bus, joining a casual sports club or exploring your university city on foot can all help break up long periods of studying.

Do Not Compare Your University Experience

Social media can make university look like an endless stream of parties, perfect friendships and exciting experiences.

That is rarely the full picture.

Someone posting photos from a busy night out might have spent the rest of the week feeling homesick, stressed about coursework or struggling to meet people. There is no correct way to experience university.

Some students love nights out. Others prefer societies, gaming, sport, cooking with housemates or quieter weekends.

Your university experience does not need to look like anyone else’s.

Ask for Support if You Need It

Feeling a little flat after Freshers’ Week is common. Feeling persistently low, anxious or isolated is something worth talking about.

Universities across the UK usually offer student wellbeing services, counselling, academic support and advice through students’ unions.

Your personal tutor, accommodation team or GP can also be useful starting points.

Asking for support does not mean something has gone badly wrong. Sometimes simply talking about how you are feeling can make university seem far more manageable.

University Life Is Just Getting Started

Freshers’ Week gets plenty of attention, but it represents only a tiny part of university life.

The weeks that follow are when things often begin to feel more genuine.

You start recognising people around campus. You find your favourite places to study. Friendships become more natural. You understand your course better and slowly develop routines that make university feel less unfamiliar.

The excitement might become quieter, but that does not mean the best part is over. In many ways, it means university life is finally beginning.

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Everything Students Need To Know About World Suicide Prevention Day

University life can be exciting, but it can also bring periods of intense pressure.

Moving away from home, academic expectations, money worries, relationship difficulties, loneliness and uncertainty about the future can sometimes feel overwhelming.

World Suicide Prevention Day, taking place on 10 September 2026, is an opportunity to talk more openly about mental health, recognise when someone may be struggling and understand where support can be found.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that the theme for 2024 to 2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with the call to action “Start the Conversation”. The aim is to reduce stigma and replace silence with more open and compassionate conversations.

For university students, that conversation could be particularly important.

Why World Suicide Prevention Day Matters

Suicide remains a major global public health issue. WHO estimates that more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 globally.

Statistics like these can feel frightening, but World Suicide Prevention Day is ultimately about prevention, understanding and encouraging people to seek help.

For students, it is also a reminder that struggling emotionally is not something that has to be hidden.

Someone studying at the University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Leeds or any other UK university may appear to be enjoying student life while privately finding things extremely difficult.

Social media can reinforce the impression that everyone else is coping, making it harder to admit when things are not going well.

Talking about those feelings can be an important first step towards getting support.

Recognising When You Might Need Support

There is no single way that someone experiencing suicidal thoughts will behave.

Sometimes the signs may involve becoming increasingly withdrawn, struggling to sleep, avoiding friends or lectures, appearing unusually irritable or experiencing noticeable changes in mood. Someone might also begin talking about feeling hopeless, worthless or as though other people would be better off without them.

However, not everyone will display obvious warning signs.

Students should therefore pay attention to changes in their own wellbeing too. If everyday tasks are becoming increasingly difficult, thoughts are becoming frightening or life feels impossible to manage, it is worth telling somebody rather than waiting for things to become worse.

That person could be a friend, family member, GP, personal tutor, university wellbeing adviser or another professional.

What If You Are Worried About a University Friend?

Friends are often among the first people to notice when something changes.

Perhaps a housemate has stopped spending time with everyone. Maybe a course mate who usually attends lectures has disappeared for several days, or someone simply does not seem like themselves.

You do not need to diagnose the problem or know exactly what to say.

Student Minds recommends choosing an appropriate place and time to check in with a friend, allowing enough time for a proper conversation rather than raising the subject when either of you is rushing somewhere.

Starting with a straightforward question about how they are feeling can be enough to open the conversation.

If you are genuinely worried that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is also okay to ask them directly. Evidence-based guidance from organisations including PAPYRUS explains that asking someone whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea into their head.

Instead, it can give them an opportunity to talk honestly about what they are experiencing.

You Do Not Have to Become Their Counsellor

Supporting a friend does not mean becoming solely responsible for their wellbeing.

Listening without judgement can be enormously valuable, but serious concerns should be shared with people who can provide professional support.

You could offer to sit with your friend while they contact their university wellbeing team, help them arrange an appointment with their GP or accompany them somewhere they can get help.

Universities across the UK have different wellbeing and mental health arrangements, so students should familiarise themselves with the services available at their own institution, particularly before they need them.

The important thing is helping someone make that connection rather than feeling that you need to solve everything yourself.

Where Students Can Find Help

Support is available whether you are experiencing suicidal thoughts yourself or are worried about somebody else.

Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123, while PAPYRUS provides its HopeLine 24/7 service for young people and those worried about them on 0300 102 2470, with the option to text HOPE to 88247.

Students can also contact their GP or university mental health and wellbeing service. In England, NHS 111 can provide urgent mental health support and direct someone towards the appropriate service.

If somebody has attempted to end their life, or you believe they are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to the nearest A&E department immediately.

Starting a Conversation Can Matter

World Suicide Prevention Day does not expect students to become mental health professionals. Instead, its message is much simpler: we can make it easier for people to speak when they are struggling.

That might mean checking on a quiet housemate, taking a course mate for a coffee, telling somebody you have noticed they have not seemed themselves recently or admitting that you need help yourself.

On 10 September 2026, the message for university communities is therefore not simply to raise awareness for one day.

It is to make conversations about mental health, distress and suicide easier to have throughout the year. Sometimes asking someone how they really are, listening carefully to the answer and helping them reach appropriate support can be an important place to start.