{"id":10419,"date":"2025-10-06T09:45:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T08:45:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/accommodation\/?p=10419"},"modified":"2025-10-06T09:45:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T08:45:23","slug":"looking-after-your-mental-health-at-university-an-international-students-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/accommodation\/looking-after-your-mental-health-at-university-an-international-students-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking After Your Mental Health at University – An International Student’s Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In her blog, International student Brinda Paruthi talks weather, food and routines as part of her tips on how to look after your mental health whilst away from home.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When I moved to Exeter, I packed the essentials: clothes, snacks, stationery and a bundle of nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting university is already a big shift but doing it in a new country, away from your family, culture, and everything familiar? That\u2019s rough. That plus dealing with your laundry is the cherry on top of a burnt cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also learning how to take care of my mental health in a completely new environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were moments when I felt on top of the world \u2014 independent, adventurous, proud, main character energy. It could look like a “tornado flew around my room” and I could move it over to The Chair\u2122 and go to sleep as if nothing ever happened. In theory, over a face-time call, if out of frame, my mum’s never going to find out \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there were nights I felt painfully alone, unsure, or just plain overwhelmed. Nights staring at walls with the clocks ticking and every Netflix series annoying me a little more because it wasn\u2019t filling the void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that sounds familiar, you\u2019re not alone. So here\u2019s what I learned about looking after your mental health at uni, especially when \u201chome\u201d isn\u2019t a bus ride away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything is new.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The food is different. The weather is wet, windy, breezy, icy, humid and everything that makes you feel a bit less… slay. The pace, the accents (innit mate), and the social norms; all take time to adjust to. Don\u2019t pressure yourself to “fit in” instantly. It\u2019s okay to feel out of sync at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, you don\u2019t have to hit a breaking point to deserve support. Whether it\u2019s a small wave of homesickness, a tough assignment, or a dip in motivation, acknowledge it early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See it, Say it, Sorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(*sips tea)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask a few questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I feel today? Why do I feel like this? Do I like what I’m feeling? How can we make this day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you feel like your answer to any of those questions is off, we gotta fix it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask for Help \u2014 Seriously<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exeter has mental health services, wellbeing advisors, and peer support schemes and they work<\/em>. It can feel intimidating to reach out, especially if you come from a culture where mental health isn’t openly talked about, but there is no shame<\/em> in it. You\u2019re not \u201cfailing\u201d, you\u2019re taking care of yourself. You\u2019re not broken, this isn\u2019t a taboo, you\u2019re not failing, you\u2019re not a burden and no this isn\u2019t the end of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All helpful links are below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even just talking to a friend, tutor, or someone back home can help lighten the weight you\u2019re carrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build a Routine That Grounds You<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re in charge of your day now, and that freedom is both a gift and a trap. Having a loose structure can do wonders for your well-being:<\/p>\n\n\n\n