Spreading Warmth this Winter

As the days get darker and the Winter truly comes to life, the Editorial Team have come together to share their thoughts on dealing with the seasonal changes.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

⭐ How do you embrace the Winter days at university? ⭐

Taylor: Embracing the winter days at university is all about finding comfort and balance. To make the most of the season, create a cozy study space, stay active with indoor workouts or campus events, and prioritize your mental well-being by reflecting on goals or trying mindfulness. Don’t forget to take advantage of winter activities like ice skating or seasonal events, and stay connected with friends and family to ward off feelings of isolation. By adjusting your routine and focusing on self-care, winter can become a time of productivity, connection, and personal growth.

Madeleine: Making the most of winter days can prove difficult. The days are short and cold, and I for one crave staying indoors. I think winter is all about playing to your strengths, exercising in the way you like, staying social by networking in your areas of interest and comfort, and maintaining a good routine with your work which fits in with how you learn best. It's a time when you may have more time to reflect as there will be more of the day spent indoors. This is why it's a great time to journal or be mindful- noticing what's working for you and what isn't. Everyone's wired differently, so it's important to work out what's best for you and your way of thinking- winter at uni is the perfect time to do this. 

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog this Winter. Need support? Don't forget to check out the Student Space.

Written by the Student Minds Blog Editorial Team.

Facing Darkness: A Student’s Journey Through Depression

A student shares their personal battle with depression, shedding light on the often-hidden struggles of academic life and mental health. Through honest reflections and hard-won coping strategies, this piece aims to offer support, understanding, and hope to others facing similar challenges.

- Anonymous

For many students, the transition into college life is filled with excitement and ambition. But for some, it also brings unexpected challenges that can feel overwhelming. This is the story of one student’s experience navigating the world of academia while struggling with depression—a story that might resonate with many who feel like they’re silently fighting their own battles in a world that demands resilience.  

The Weight of Expectations

Starting university came with high expectations—both from myself and from others. The excitement of new friends, freedom, and academic growth was real, but beneath that surface was a growing feeling of inadequacy. I’d been a top performer in high school and assumed I would thrive here, too. But as time went on, I found myself struggling to keep up with the workload, maintain friendships, and take care of myself, all while feeling an emptiness I couldn’t explain. The more I tried to hide it, the heavier it became.  

Recognising Depression

It took a while to realize that I wasn’t just “in a slump” or “feeling a bit off.” Depression is often invisible, and it’s easy to downplay the symptoms, thinking they’ll go away. But as weeks turned into months, the fatigue, lack of motivation, and constant self-doubt became harder to ignore. Everyday tasks—getting out of bed, going to class, meeting friends—felt insurmountable. I would lie awake at night wondering why I couldn’t just “snap out of it,” but no matter what I tried, the weight of depression remained.  

Seeking Help and Facing Stigma

Seeking help was a big step, and I’ll admit, it was scary. I was worried that reaching out would make me seem weak, or that others wouldn’t understand. It’s common in student culture to prioritize resilience, pushing through no matter what, so admitting that I was struggling felt like I was failing.  

Eventually, I reached out to a campus counsellor. It was one of the hardest conversations I’d ever had, but it was also one of the most liberating. The counsellor listened without judgment, and for the first time, I felt understood. I learned that depression is not a personal failure—it’s a real, medical condition that many people face. Therapy sessions became a safe space to work through my feelings, and I was given tools to start managing my depression, one step at a time.  

Building a Support System

One of the most important lessons I learned was the power of a support system. Depression often makes us feel isolated, but connection is a vital part of healing. I gradually opened up to a few friends, explaining that I might need some extra support. To my relief, they didn’t judge or distance themselves; instead, they offered understanding and encouragement. Sometimes, just knowing someone else is there makes the journey a bit easier.  

Building a support network also meant setting boundaries and letting myself say “no” when I needed rest. In a busy college environment, it’s easy to feel pressured to attend every event, join every club, or study late into the night. But taking time for myself became essential. I learned that prioritizing my mental health wasn’t selfish—it was necessary.  

Managing Depression Day by Day

Recovering from depression isn’t a straight line, and there are still tough days. But over time, I’ve developed small habits that help me cope. Things like setting a regular sleep schedule, practising mindfulness, and breaking tasks into manageable pieces have made a significant difference. On the hardest days, I remind myself to take things one day at a time, to celebrate small victories, and to be patient with myself.  

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

If you’re reading this and feel like you’re facing similar struggles, know that you’re not alone. Depression can make us feel isolated, but there are people who understand and want to help. Reaching out for support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a courageous step toward healing. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or counsellor, find someone you trust and let them in.  

Remember, facing the darkness of depression is not something you have to do alone. It’s okay to ask for help, to take things slowly, and to prioritize your well-being. Life as a student can be challenging, but with support, understanding, and self-compassion, it’s possible to find light on the other side of the darkness.

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog. You can also find support at Student Space.

I’m no writer—just a university student who’s been through some tough times trying to balance academics, friendships, and my mental health. I’ve learned firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to handle everything when you’re struggling with depression. I wanted to share my journey, not because I have all the answers, but because I know how isolating it can be. If my story helps even one person feel less alone or more understood, then opening up about it is worth it.

Making Friends At University

Stavros shares his top tips for making friends to new students who are starting their university journey. 

- Stavros

Before I moved to the UK for my studies, I used to be confident and surrounded by friends. Socialising was never a problem for me; I even considered myself an extrovert. I used to go out almost every night, party all the time, weekly road trips. My hometown was small, so most people my age knew me well. I had a solid group of friends who shared my interests, and life felt easy and vibrant. 

When I decided to study in the UK, I didn’t think about the challenges of starting over. Why should I face any kind of difficulty? 

Stepping onto the university campus felt like returning to school. I thought I’d find a community of adults, but instead, I felt like a child among adults. All my social skills vanished, and every English word I had painstakingly learned slipped away. It felt like I was in a bad teen comedy movie again.  

In my first two years, I managed to go to the university nightclub a few times and attended two house parties but my social skills were still underdeveloped, and I was never the first to reach out. I wanted friends, but part of me didn’t. Friends from home pressured me to socialise, but I had no energy to build a new social life from scratch. I often compared my current situation to my vibrant life back home, where friendships flowed easily.  

I started to compare my social life to the one I had a couple of months ago. I then realised that I was the one who was getting in my way with all these expectations and high standards.  

When I moved to the UK, I knew that everything was going to change. I wanted a change in my life and although I felt like the happiest man with the friends that I had, I felt like this challenge was a calling that would help me become my best version. My Grandma has always told me and still does to this day “We sacrifice something in order to win something” and it has stuck with me (I swear it sounds beautiful in Greek). 

The third year came and I moved to a student accommodation. If I had to give some wisdom to the readers of the story, I would tell everyone who is a student to live in a student accommodation, at least for the first year. I wish I knew that. The reason I had not stayed in the previous years was mostly because I was terrified by the thought of being surrounded by so many people. It turned out to be the best decision I made during university. I made friends, I exchanged knowledge and advice, we shared dishes and experiences from our cultures, we laughed and I finally found my voice again. I was finally funny again, extrovert, sociable, interesting, young. I was me again and I had forgotten about it for a long time during my studies. I joined the British Sign Language Class to learn a new skill and all of a sudden I met my best friend.  

My take-home message, what I realised at least for myself during those three years and what I wish someone would have told me is that:  

• PLEASE start university without expectations and high standards. You might have been popular in your neighbourhood or have had too many friends, but here this mindset might get in your way once you realise that you have to start from scratch.  
• PLEASE do not compare what you had with what you have. Everything and everyone is different and that is the beauty of it.  
• YES some days will be bad and some days will be good. Some months might be full of laughter and some months might be full of tears. But unexpected things happen all the time and it will happen ever more once you start exposing yourself. 

I also discovered that I’m not purely an extrovert, and that realisation was liberating. Listening to my body’s needs and embracing my true self made me feel more at peace. I learned that it’s okay to have moments of introversion and that balance is essential. 

Long story short, University is a rollercoaster. Buckle Up! 

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog. You can also find support at Student Space.

I am a Psychology graduate and currently doing my Master's in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology in London. When I first got into University I struggled a lot with my mental health and making friends. By sharing this story I hope students who struggle with making friends can relate to the situation I was in and find comfort when they realise that my stories always have a happy ending.