University Advice!
14:27
Todays post is going to be an advice post for starting/going back to university when you have an eating disorder. A lot of advice comes from my own experiences as I have just graduated this summer. Also some of the advice might be helpful for those dealing with other mental health issues as some times different mental health disorders can effect others for example my anxiety can lead me into eating disorder behaviours. University should be some of the best years of your life but can be hard if you feel like you're battling your mental health alone so here are a few tips…
1. If you are moving away from home find out where the local Gp is in your universities area and register to them just in case you need their service whilst you're there.
2. Something that goes along with the first step is to find out if your uni offers a health and well being centre as this is something that my university had. It meant that you could go to speak to a therapist if you needed their support. I personally didn't go there as I travelled home for appointments but it helped knowing that they were there if I needed them.
3. Find out who the disability advisor is at your uni because they can help you by letting you know how you can get help and where you can go to get this help.
4. When you are assigned a personal tutor it could help to open up to them about what you are dealing with as this way if for any reason you feel like the course work is getting on top of you, you can speak to your tutor and work out a plan together.
5. Try not to isolate yourself. Get out and make friends. Join social clubs. Make the most of it because those three years won't last forever. Also when you get out and make friends you'll find people you trust enough to open up to and they will be there to support you on your bad days. I was lucky enough to share a flat with people who became my best friends and supported me through everything.
6. Stay in touch with those who support you back at home. Be honest with them and let them know how you're feeling, this way it helps you and also them as they will most likely be worrying about how you're coping. Pick somebody that you trust and that supports you so that you can call them on days when you're not feeling your best.
7. Try your best to stay on top of the work you are given as if you space it out well it shouldn't stress you out as much and would be better for you to avoid your eating disorder behaviours.
Do the work, have fun and build life long friendships with people you wouldn't normally meet because when your graduation day comes and you get to spend it with the friends you've made along the way and get to see your family proud of you it makes you feel very accomplished and proud of yourself for being able to work through everything.
If any of you have more advice feel free to write a comment below :)
Also good luck to my brother who's just moved to university today! Hope you love it as much as I did!
1. If you are moving away from home find out where the local Gp is in your universities area and register to them just in case you need their service whilst you're there.
2. Something that goes along with the first step is to find out if your uni offers a health and well being centre as this is something that my university had. It meant that you could go to speak to a therapist if you needed their support. I personally didn't go there as I travelled home for appointments but it helped knowing that they were there if I needed them.
3. Find out who the disability advisor is at your uni because they can help you by letting you know how you can get help and where you can go to get this help.
4. When you are assigned a personal tutor it could help to open up to them about what you are dealing with as this way if for any reason you feel like the course work is getting on top of you, you can speak to your tutor and work out a plan together.
5. Try not to isolate yourself. Get out and make friends. Join social clubs. Make the most of it because those three years won't last forever. Also when you get out and make friends you'll find people you trust enough to open up to and they will be there to support you on your bad days. I was lucky enough to share a flat with people who became my best friends and supported me through everything.
6. Stay in touch with those who support you back at home. Be honest with them and let them know how you're feeling, this way it helps you and also them as they will most likely be worrying about how you're coping. Pick somebody that you trust and that supports you so that you can call them on days when you're not feeling your best.
7. Try your best to stay on top of the work you are given as if you space it out well it shouldn't stress you out as much and would be better for you to avoid your eating disorder behaviours.
Do the work, have fun and build life long friendships with people you wouldn't normally meet because when your graduation day comes and you get to spend it with the friends you've made along the way and get to see your family proud of you it makes you feel very accomplished and proud of yourself for being able to work through everything.
If any of you have more advice feel free to write a comment below :)
Also good luck to my brother who's just moved to university today! Hope you love it as much as I did!
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