Starting or Returning to University? 8 Reasons You Might Be Feeling Anxious.
September can bring a real mixture of emotions if you're starting or returning to university. You may be excited about seeing friends, having more independence or beginning a new chapter. But alongside that excitement, you might also be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or simply unsure about what lies ahead.
Perhaps you're starting university for the first time and wondering 'Will I make friends? What if I don't like my course? What if I miss home?'. Or maybe you're returning for your second or third year and thinking 'I've done this before, so why am I feeling anxious again?'
University involves a lot of change and uncertainty, so some anxiety is completely understandable. Here are eight reasons why you might be feeling anxious about starting or returning to university:
1. Leaving Home and Dealing With Change. If you're starting university for the first time, you may be leaving the familiarity of home, family and old friends behind. Suddenly you're living somewhere new, perhaps sharing a kitchen or bathroom with people you've never met, finding your way around an unfamiliar city and having to manage much more for yourself. Even positive change can feel unsettling.
You might have spent months looking forward to university and then be surprised by how emotional or anxious you feel when you actually arrive.
Give yourself time. Feeling unsettled at the beginning doesn't mean you've made the wrong decision.
2. Worrying About Making Friends. 'What if I don't make any friends?' This is probably one of the biggest worries students have when starting university. During the first few weeks, it can look as though everyone else has formed friendship groups almost instantly. You may see people going out together or sitting in groups and wonder why it hasn't happened as easily for you. Try not to panic.
The people you meet during your first few days don't have to become your closest friends. You may meet people through your course, accommodation, societies, sport or much later in the year. Real friendships often take time to develop.
3. Comparing Yourself With Everyone Else. University can create plenty of opportunities for comparison.
You might compare how many friends you have, your grades, how often you go out, what you look like, how much money you have or even how confident you appear. Social media can make this particularly difficult. Someone else's Instagram or TikTok may make their university life look amazing. What you don't see are their anxious moments, homesickness, friendship problems or worries about their work.
Try to remember that you're comparing your whole experience with a small, carefully selected part of somebody else's. Focus on how best to help yourself rather than how you compare to others.
4. Returning to University Can Bring Its Own Anxiety. University anxiety isn't just something that affects first-year students. Returning for another year can bring a different set of worries. Maybe your friendship group has changed over the summer. Perhaps you're moving into a house with friends and wondering what it will actually be like living together. You may also have had a difficult previous year and be worried about returning to the same environment. And sometimes there isn't an obvious reason. You simply feel anxious about going back.
Don't dismiss those feelings just because you've been to university before. Each academic year brings different changes and pressures.
5. Academic Pressure. The academic side of university can be a big source of anxiety. You may worry that everyone else is more intelligent than you, that you won't keep up with the workload or that your grades won't be good enough. As you move through university, the pressure can increase. There may be dissertations, placements, exams and important deadlines to manage.
Try not to expect yourself to get everything right. Ask for help when you need it, speak to your tutors and break large pieces of work into smaller, more manageable steps. Struggling with something doesn't mean you don't belong at university.
6. Money Worries. Money can be another significant source of stress. Rent, food, travel, books and socialising can quickly add up and managing your own budget may be completely new to you. It can be particularly difficult when friends appear to have more money to spend. You might feel embarrassed about saying no to nights out or worry that you'll miss out socially if you can't afford everything.
Remember that students' financial circumstances vary enormously. You don't have to spend money to fit in. If money is becoming a serious worry, speak to your university. Many have financial advice services, hardship funds and other forms of support available.
7. The Pressure to Have the 'Best Years of Your Life'. University is often talked about as though it should automatically be an amazing experience. You might feel homesick, lonely or overwhelmed. Perhaps you don't enjoy going out or drinking as much as everyone else seems to. You might even wonder whether university is right for you. The pressure to be happy can sometimes make you feel even worse when you're struggling.
There is no one right way to experience university. Your time there doesn't have to be perfect or even the “best years of your life” for it to be a valuable and meaningful experience.
8. Worrying About What Happens Next. This can become particularly noticeable as you move towards your final year. Suddenly people are talking about internships, graduate schemes, careers and what they're going to do after university. You may look around and think everyone else has a plan except you.
Not knowing what you want to do when you leave university is completely normal. Your first job doesn't have to determine the rest of your career. There is plenty of time to change direction, try different things and work out what is right for you.
If you're feeling anxious about starting or returning to university, try not to think too far ahead. You don't need to work out your entire university experience in the first few weeks. Give yourself time to settle in. Stay connected with family and friends at home. Try activities that genuinely interest you. Get outside, eat regularly, exercise and try to maintain some sort of sleep routine. And talk about how you're feeling. You may discover that other people are feeling exactly the same way.
If anxiety is beginning to affect your everyday life, it may be worth asking for some support. You don't need to wait until things become unbearable before asking for help. Find out what counselling or wellbeing services your university provides. You can also speak to your GP.
Could therapy help? If this article resonated with you, you don't have to struggle on your own. I work with young adults and students experiencing anxiety, overthinking, low self-esteem and difficult life transitions. If you would like some support, therapy can provide a safe and confidential space to understand how you're feeling and help you find ways to move forward.
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