International Mental Health Day: Balancing Work, Life, and University
This post was originally written for the SUSU blog and can be found here. It is a condensed version of 500 words. This full version includes my additional yapping, references, and more advice!
Happy International Mental Health Day! This year's theme is workplace mental health, which can be important as you go ahead with internships and part-time work alongside your studies. It can be really difficult to balance the needs of a personal and social life, university life and work life. However, sometimes it feels like you have no other choice, and so I want to share some practical steps with you as someone who has been-there-done-that and someone who has struggled with mental health within the workplace. Please note that these steps can also help balance your university and academic needs with your social and personal needs, so don’t worry if you’re not employed; these steps might also help you!
One of the best things I did when starting university was to create a study planner using Google Calendar. I went to the module course pages on the Southampton website, synced my timetable with Google Calendar (you can also use Outlook), and blocked off time for lectures. Then, I calculated the independent learning hours for each module, spread them across the semester, and built a weekly schedule.
This allowed me to see where I had gaps for internships or extra time to focus on societies. As a society President and member of multiple societies, I had to schedule meetings and social events. I was also a course representative, so I needed to attend Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) meetings and gather feedback. Last year, as the Disabilities Officer for SUSU, I had even more meetings and emails to manage on top of internships and my health challenges.
Prioritising and being realistic was key. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed—there just isn’t enough time in the day for everything. If you miss a study session or a society event, it’s okay. I didn’t always stick to my study planner perfectly, and that’s normal. Your studies matter, but so do you. It's also okay to set boundaries and say no when things get too much—you don’t need to do everything.
While this approach might not suit every course (ECS students, I see you), having a structured plan can help you stay organised, save time, and feel more in control.
2. Creating Guilt-Free Boundaries
Setting and maintaining boundaries can be really tough, especially if, like me, you have ADHD. One thing that helped was working in a library or social space, where I could separate work from home and stay focused. While I mostly preferred working at my desktop at home, getting out sometimes was the best way to set those boundaries. If working from home suits you better, using timers or apps like Forest or Pomodoro can help, along with setting a clear plan like “no work after 7 pm” and sticking to that.
Saying no to friends when you need to focus on work can be difficult, but it’s an essential skill. I used to feel guilty for cancelling plans last minute, especially when I had to prioritise my dissertation. But it’s important to put your needs first. True friends will understand if you must focus on your mental or physical health. Another great way to balance socialising and study is to organise group study sessions, like booking a lecture room for "body-doubling" study time. You can keep each other accountable and yap as much as you want during breaks.
One boundary that works for me and my friends is checking in the night before plans. I might feel great earlier in the week, but a health flare-up might change things by the time the weekend rolls around. This way, everyone knows what to expect, and no one feels let down if plans need to shift.
3. Managing Stress and Other Impossible Tasks
One of the most common ways to manage stress is through mindfulness and breathing exercises. I won’t go on about how meditation helped me or how apps like Headspace and Calm can ground you because I know it’s not for everyone. But if you're interested, SUSU does have a Meditation Society that could be worth checking out.
Another way to manage stress—and here’s a SUSU shoutout—is through physical activity. I know the last thing you want to do when you're feeling low is go for a run, but (unfortunately) it actually does help. Even just going for a walk or sitting outside with a cup of tea can be beneficial, especially if you can spend a few minutes in nature. If you feel up for more, the University offers free Be Active classes, or you can join a SUSU club to try different sports. Our VP of Sports, Conor, is passionate about ensuring wellbeing is a priority in sports, helping you get out, have fun, and look after your mental and physical health.
Personally, though, I’ll stick to sitting outside and touching grass.
4. Bestie, Call Home
Homesickness is real, and so is the challenge of relocating for work, especially if you are working at the same company but in a new city. Isolation and loneliness can easily lead to burnout, which can impact your motivation. Even if you’re living your best new life with great friends and a cool new flat, staying in touch with people back home can help ground you. A quick FaceTime with your besties or a short call with your parents or grandparents can make a big difference.
If you’re struggling to make friends, I highly recommend joining one (or more) of our 300+ clubs and societies . During most of my degree, I focused on my own society, but in my final year, I also joined the Art Society and the Hookers, Knitters, and Stitchers Society . Now, I have an online community where I share my crochet fails, and they’re super supportive, offer tips, and we laugh together. Yes, I attended these societies alone and halfway through the year, and yes, I survived—and now I regularly go back solo. We also host mixers, events, and lots of opportunities at SUSU for you to get involved. As long as it’s not sports, I’ll never say no to joining a Crafternoon session if I can! Arts and crafts are my passion, and I want to make sure you have a great time, too (and arts and crafts are my passion).
You’ll also be assigned a personal academic tutor (PAT) to whom you can talk for advice and resources. You can find your PAT by going to SUSSED > Banner Self-Service > logging in with your student credentials > Student Services > Student Records > Student Information, and it’ll be listed under ‘Primary Advisor.’
5. Speak Even If Your Voice Shakes
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at university is the importance of self-advocacy. In my previous workplaces, I struggled to adjust to the demands of a neurotypical environment, which led to health issues, burnout, imposter syndrome, and feelings of isolation. While you’re never obligated to disclose your needs, doing so can help set reasonable adjustments that make a difference.
Communication can be challenging, especially if you’re autistic (like me!) or lack confidence. If your workload becomes overwhelming or you need time off, it’s crucial to inform your supervisors or professors as early as possible. Taking a break is far better than letting stress accumulate and causing more significant problems down the line. You might find that your personal academic tutor (PAT) can help you work through those overwhelming feelings and create a structured plan (mine was SO helpful).
It's also essential to know your rights. Whether you’re neurotypical, neurodivergent, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or identify in any other way, you have rights that protect you. If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to your GP about being signed off work (and use this to get special cons/extensions). If you need adjustments or accommodations at university, those can be arranged, too. I was able to get a dyslexia diagnosis and multiple accommodations because of my AuDHD (autism and ADHD). All you need to do is reach out to the University’s Student Hub team , and they’ll help you get those accommodations in place—even if you’re not formally diagnosed. For confidential and independent advice about employment, the SUSU Advice Centre is always available, and our advisors are very knowledgeable!
I truly wish I had known how to self-advocate when I was 18, so please take this advice from someone almost 27!
6. Celebrate All Of Your Wins!
I recently saw someone buy a cake for reaching 300 days on Duolingo, complete with little candles, and it made me so happy! It’s a great reminder to celebrate your small wins—because every bit of progress counts! Hand in an essay? Celebrate! Make your bed when you really didn’t want to? Celebrate! Survive a tough week? Celebrate! Today, I’m lucky to have recovered quicker than expected, and as I write this blog post, I’m excited to be back at work. I plan to celebrate by listening to the entire Taylor Swift Eras Tour setlist (post-concert blues) and I will likely eat too much ice cream. It doesn’t have to be a grand celebration; just remember to acknowledge your achievements and those small victories.
But if things don’t go as planned, that’s perfectly okay. When one door closes, another opens. My career path has shifted so much—I once wanted to be a teacher, then completely changed my mind, and now I'm considering teaching again. Right now, I’m living my dream job, and while I’m nervous about what the future holds after this year, I know that whatever happens is part of the journey. Everything you do is building the skills and experiences for your future. Don’t pressure yourself to be perfect or to find your dream job immediately. Always remember you’re a human being, and celebrate those small wins! Romanticise your life! Treat yourself! Get the sweet treat! She deserved the purse! You’re here, and you’re doing amazing (sweetie)!
7. Money, Money, Money (Except No One Is Laughing)
As someone from a low-income background, I know what it’s like to struggle financially. I had to work during holidays to get money to make up for the summer when we didn’t get student finance, and then work all summer to make sure I could eat and hang out with my friends. The first thing I did when starting university was create a budget and then work out the average costs of each thing based on the Save The Student website. As a mature student, I had a whole other life before university, so I had to consider more than just the basics. Budgeting seems boring, and it might be enticing to spend your entire student loan payment (because it’s a lot of money to have at once), but it might help down the line. Money is stressful, especially when you’re a bit spontaneous, so make sure you have that plan and stick to it the best you can.?
The University also have a student support fund that opens at different points of the year, including during summer. There’s no shame in using it, either. It was helpful for me after I finished my first term as a Sabbatical Officer in July 2022 and then waited for my student finance payment in late September. I have also utilised the other funds, and I’d advise everyone to check them out because that pot of money is there to help you, whether it’s new tech or for health and wellbeing purposes. Don’t leave it if someone else needs it more than you, and it’s there for you.
A big thing about attending a Russell Group university (which I didn’t even know what that was until I started) was that everyone’s financial situation is different. It’s impossible not to compare yourself and feel like you’re not good enough because you can’t afford as much as another student, but it’s really important to focus on your needs, stick to your budget, and don’t stress too much about the details. I have been fortunate that with the help of my bursaries, SUSU’s Access to Activities Fund and the Ignite Programme I haven’t missed out on much of the university experience due to financial difficulty.?
If you're unsure, the best thing you can do is speak to your PAT in the first instance. If you’re stressed about debt or need financial advice, the SUSU Advice Centre can also support you. People care and want to help; we must break the stigma about talking about money because you’re not alone, and there’s support available.
I am going to wrap up the blog post here, but please do reach out to me or anyone at SUSU if you need assistance. The University's Student Hub is open 24/7 and can support and signpost you to resources. You are more than your studies and you are a priority. Happy International Mental Health Day!