By Lily Hirst, Content Team Contributor

September 2022, a new beginning, and the fear of uncertainty. But it ended up being the start of the best choice I have ever made. Sounds like I’m overexaggerating right now, doesn’t it? Leaving home, other friends going elsewhere, different surroundings? Might appeal for some but as a sufferer of anxiety it is understandable that this may not always be the case. Feeling as though you’ve just settled into college, then comes another change. As somebody who is going into their fourth and final year of university, I can 100% say it is worth it! August 2022, 18 years old, most days spent anxious, doubting myself. I looked at universities all around the UK and still ended up in my hometown, Leeds. September came around and I chose to move onto campus and away from my home regardless of living in the same hometown.  

Transitioning from college to university is a significant milestone, academically and personally. University is a shift that includes unique experiences, meeting people your age from all different backgrounds, and different parts of the country, new independence, exploring a potential new city. One of the main causes of anxiety is due to academic pressures. The move from college classrooms to lecture halls could also be “overwhelming” as the lessons are “more structured” (Briggs, Clark, & Hall, 2012). Being overwhelmed is natural, remember everyone around you is also experiencing these changes.

Another factor that commonly affects “freshers” is social anxiety. In the transition from college to university familiar faces are potentially not around as much, which changes routines and the chance to create new social norms. According to Arnett (2000), this stage of life of emerging adulthood is inherently unstable, which can intensify emotional stress. The social change can be a struggle, but 54% of students meet their best friends in their student accommodation, and 44% meet their best friends through their university course, 22% on university nights out. Three years out of four for myself on my course in Leeds, I have met my best friends, who immensely changed my life for the better, a boyfriend who I have been with since the third week of university, while still continuing friendships from my childhood. It is easy to dwell on the change of your social surroundings, but there are so many more positive outcomes that can come from being in a new social setting. 

Financial concerns are something that may have come to your attention. When attending university students receive student finance to help cover rent and bills, and having a part time job is an available option. Being anxious due to financial concerns is very normal and it is important to normalise these anxieties. Universities may offer additional emotional or financial support. Suffering from anxiety in this transition is a reflection on all the meaningful things you don’t want to change, but change is important, and adapting creates ‘new norms’.

Anxiety creeps up in different forms, and there are multiple tips you can try to control it. Academic anxiety is common in students and tips to prevent you from spiralling could include the use of planners to manage the workload. Use the support services your university provides, and remember: “Mistakes are part of learning, not a reflection of your worth” (Dweck, 2006).

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) states that a tried-and-true method for gradually lessening the intensity of symptoms is to gradually expose people to anxiety-inducing circumstances (ADAA, 2023). University offers chances to do this, in modest, doable steps, such as a club meeting here, a group project there. Growth happens in those tiny moments of discomfort.

Statistically, having a university degree opens more career opportunities. More importantly, university often gives students a chance to discover their passions and forge meaningful career paths – something that’s crucial for long-term well-being.

Those little moments of stability might be especially helpful when you’re suffering from anxiety. A degree provides the groundwork for pursuing occupations that provide not only financial security but also the freedom and independence that can support mental health management. One of the most comforting truths is that anxiety is incredibly common among university students. A survey by healthy minds taken in 2023 found that 41% of college students reported feeling moderate to severe anxiety. This shows you are not alone. University is one of the best environments for finding people who get it – whether it’s through a mental health support group, a roommate who becomes a friend, or a lecturer who offers grace when you need it most. Additionally, students who move away from home are more likely to engage deeply in campus life, which is associated with higher levels of academic achievement, social integration, and personal growth (Tinto, 1993). Also, exposure to others from different backgrounds also enhances intercultural competence and critical thinking (Kuh, 2008).

Those little moments that come with moving away from home to attend university is a significant step towards both intellectual and personal development, it’s not just a change of scenery. I was originally enrolled to study for three years in Leeds at Leeds Trinity University, with being originally from Leeds moving out didn’t have to be considered, but it is the best choice I made. Anxiety can easily take over your life and put a stop to all the exciting things you really want to do. Do not let it win. There are so many opportunities awaiting for you. Coming to the end of my time at university, I can’t emphasise the precious outcomes that can occur from meeting new people. Take that step, the best is yet to come.

REFERENCE:

Briggs, A. R. J., Clark, J., & Hall, I. (2012). Quality in Higher Education, 18(1), 3–21.

Arnett, J. J. (2000). American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480.

Friedlander, L. J., et al. (2007). Journal of College Student Development, 48(3), 259–274.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2023). Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. adaa.org

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Earnings and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment. bls.gov

Healthy Minds Network. (2023). Annual Student Mental Health Report. healthymindsnetwork.org