Whether you have an existing mental health problem, or you're starting to find things difficult, the pandemic has put a huge amount of extra strain on students.
This information is for both new and returning university students, studying full-time or part-time during the coronavirus pandemic.
On this page:
Coronavirus is affecting student mental health in many different ways. This includes uncertainty about what student life will be like for this next year.
Mind’s coronavirus survey results revealed the following:
“I'm a 45-year-old mature student and should be writing my dissertation as it’s my final year. Instead I am frozen with fear, my brain is not working and I’m failing miserably.”
There is no right way to feel about going to university, whether you are a new or returning student.
You may feel a mix of emotions, or different emotions at different times. You might also have different feelings than those around you about the same things.
Some of these conflicting experiences could be:
See our page coronavirus and your wellbeing for tips on how to manage these feelings. Our student life pages have general information on managing your wellbeing as a student. Our pages on bereavement may help if you have lost someone during the pandemic.
Student Space also has lots of resources which may help you to look after your mental health while studying.
“Being cocooned at home has meant we haven’t had to worry about going out and about and seeing people. Despite lockdown taking away these pressures temporarily, the fear of having to eventually return to normality looms in the distance.”
If you're struggling and need to talk to someone, there are many online services and helplines with trained people ready to listen. These people will not judge you. They could help you make sense of what you're feeling.
Our list of helplines and listening services has more options you could try. And our page on helping yourself in a crisis has more ideas for supporting yourself. Our page of useful contacts for students also has details of organisations who may be able to help.
“Although I can’t wait to go back to uni, I am reminded every day that soon I will have to socialise once again with people I haven’t seen in a long time.”
Since restrictions have been eased, universities have been able to make their own decision about how to manage coronavirus on campus. While universities have to follow general guidance, not all places will follow it in the same way. This means that the university you attend might have different rules to other ones.
Since the government rules for masks and face coverings have been relaxed, most universities have been allowed to create their own guidance. Your university may:
If the way your university is managing mask rules brings up difficult feelings, our information on masks and mental health may help.
Each university will have a different way of teaching. Even within your university, some courses might be taught differently to others. This may depend on how much practical and in person learning your university thinks each course needs.
Your teaching may be:
If you need to self-isolate, your university should offer support and a chance to let you continue your learning online. They should offer this no matter what the normal rules are for your course.
You may be worried about how the pandemic is affecting your finances, especially your access to student finance. These pages have guidance on how to deal with student finance during the pandemic:
If your university course involves travel, you may be worried about whether that will be able to happen.
The rules about travelling abroad can change depending on different national restrictions and the spread of coronavirus. You also may have to change your plans if you have to self-isolate or if travel rules change in England and Wales.
You might find it difficult to make long-term plans about travel. This can create feelings of uncertainty about completing your course or having the student experience you expected.
You can find more information on the UK Government guidance on international travel for students, if you are an international student or planning on studying abroad. You can contact your university if your course involves trips or time abroad to see what support they have in place.
“Although I can’t wait to go back to uni, I am reminded every day that soon I will have to socialise once again with people I haven’t seen in a long time.”
Student Space is a website set up by the charity Student Minds. It helps you get the coronavirus support you need, with information in both English and Welsh. Their resources are free to use.
The website gives you:
Their student support services include peer support groups and workshops for:
“The pandemic has taken priority over everything in our lives right now, but there has never been as important a time to look after our mental health too.”
This information was last updated on 18 August 2021.
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The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on our mental health. Help us be there for everyone who needs us at this crucial time.