Find out about the King’s Way to Wellbeing
We believe that getting the most out of your university experience will improve your overall wellbeing and help you to thrive while studying at King's.
To do this, you need to look after the 'whole you' and find ways to nurture everything that makes you who you are. To help you to reflect on the different aspects of your wellbeing, we have created the King's Way to Wellbeing, which is based on the NHS 5 Steps to Wellbeing.
Know that university life can be a challenge
Did you know about the W curve? This highlights the key stages of transition that many students experience during their first year at university and gives you helpful tips on how to adjust to and overcome each stage.
The pace of student life does not always come easily to everyone and most students have feelings of homesickness or isolation from time to time. The important thing is to not to dwell on this and instead, seek out ways in which you can become more involved.
For guidance, tips and advice, please check out our articles:
Look after your physical health
Did you know that your mental and physical health are connected? You can help look after your mental health by looking after your physical health, and vice-versa.
Check out our Tops tips on managing your physical health while studying to support you in maintaining all-round health.
King’s Sport & Wellness
King’s Sport & Wellness delivers a range of opportunities for students and staff to get involved in sport and physical activity, with an ambition to be the most active university in London.
In particular, the Active Wellness Scheme is an initiative to help anyone within the King’s community who suffers from any mental or physical health issues through the use of exercise therapy.
Alcohol support
Drinking alcohol while at university can be a very common activity for some students, but excessive drinking can cause both physical and mental health difficulties. If you think this may be becoming an issue for you, and you’d like some guidance, please refer to our article Support for difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
The National Health Service (NHS)
The NHS offers a very wide range of health support.
Socialising matters
Connecting with others and making friends is a big part of the university experience, and these social connections will help build your confidence and get you through challenging times.
KCL Students’ Union
The Kings College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) Wellbeing team works closely with students at King’s to promote positive wellbeing, supporting a range of student-led initiatives and campaigns throughout the academic year. Engaging with KCLSU can be a great way to meet people and make friends, even if only virtually for the time being!
To find out more about what they offer, read our article What does KCLSU offer to support my wellbeing?
King’s Sport & Wellness
King’s Sport & Wellness delivers a range of opportunities for students and staff to get involved in sport and physical activity, with an ambition to be the most active university in London.
Their BeActive scheme is a social and recreational activity programme. Taking a class or joining a team can be a great way to boost your wellbeing. All activities are non-competitive and inclusive, so everyone can take part regardless of experience or ability.
You can learn more by reading our article What does King's Sport & Wellness have to offer?
Embrace community
Feelings of loneliness and homesickness can arise at any time during your studies, whether you’re starting university for the first time, returning for a new year, or returning to studying after many years.
It’s important to know that many students will experience this too: you're not alone. Enhancing your sense of being involved with the King’s community will help you feel more connected and support your resilience and wellbeing.
We've developed some resources that can help you manage these feelings:
- Our article I’m lonely and homesick, what can I do? offers guidance, tips and ideas for you to explore.
- Our article Community & extra-curricular activities has an overview of the ways you can connect to the King’s community wherever you are in the world at the moment.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to support your own wellbeing as well as that of others, and something we actively encourage at King’s.
Service at King’s & KCLSU both offer a range of opportunities for you to get involved with.
To find out more please check out How can I give back and support my community?
Get pastoral support
You may not have heard of the King’s Chaplaincy, or think this is just for those with religious beliefs. However, the Chaplaincy is a resource for all students and staff at King’s, of all faiths and none.
This means the Chaplaincy is open to you whichever faith you may hold, and if you hold no particular faith, but consider yourself spiritual but not religious. The Chaplaincy is inclusive; whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever you believe, whomever you love - you are welcome.
The Chaplains can provide pastoral support to anyone who needs it. They are interested in tackling the big philosophical questions of life, the minutiae of everyday living, and everything in between.
To find out more, check out How can the Chaplaincy support me?
Connect with online support
Why not try an app on your phone? Find out more in What kind of mental health apps are there that I can access?
The NHS offer an online quiz for personalised support plan, an app to track your activity and a host of other ideas on looking after your wellbeing. Check out NHS Better Health.
Wellbeing Hub
The Health and wellbeing hub contains tips for maintaining health and wellbeing, with a focus on mental health and staying connected.
Websites & online resources
For a selection of resources and websites which are informative and helpful:
- Student Space is here for you. However you’re feeling help and guidance is available. Explore a range of trusted information, services and tools to help you with the challenges of student life.
- There are 3 ways that Student Space is here to help:
- Access dedicated support services for students, by phone, text, email and webchat
- Information and tools to help you
- Helping you find what support is available at your place of study
- There are 3 ways that Student Space is here to help:
- The Mix offer free information and support to people under 25 years based in the UK and have an on-line chat forum for young people.
- Mind is well-recognised mental health charity, offering a wide range of information and support.
- NHS: Every Mind Matters is the mental health branch of the National Health Service (NHS) and offers lots of information and advice, including a quiz to develop your Mind Plan.
- Headspace: A mindful approach Headspace is a website and app focussed on mindfulness and meditation techniques.
Reach out for specialist help when you need it
If you tried out a range of ways to support yourself and you’re still struggling, recognise when you might need to reach out to a specialist for help.
Mental health can be affected by any number of stressors; sometimes it’s not one single thing. And student life can be complex with a range of demands that need to be balanced – managing your coursework and progressing academically, managing your money, perhaps living and renting independently for the first time, perhaps doing this in the UK for the first time.
Money in particular, is something which can cause a lot of worry for students, so if that’s you, you’re not alone. Read our article Money issues are affecting my mental health for advice and support.
If you’re worried about anything to do with:
- Money
- Your home and/or landlord
- Your visa
Our Advice Services can help you work through what’s happening and explore your options.
To find out more about our teams within Student Services, please take a look at:
Long-term mental health conditions
If you need to support in managing a long-term mental health condition – defined as lasting a year or more, the Disability Support Service can help.
To find out more, please read:
- Support for students with long-term mental health conditions
- Health conditions including mental health
Academic concerns
If your course is causing you concern or stress, and you would like support, you can reach our to your Personal Tutor. Find out how they can help from our article What does a personal tutor do?
For more options and detail on who can support you, please read our article What specialist mental health services can I access?
Not sure?
If you’re not sure what kind of support is best for you, perhaps your concerns and challenges have many layers, and you’re not sure who best to go to?
Ask a question and let us know what’s happening, and we will find the most appropriate support for you.