Stepping into the NewMaking a positive transition to Higher Education

Jackie Head

Head of Student Counselling, University of Bristol

Workshop Outline

• Who goes to University?

• Charting your journey

• Some student examples

• Markers of wellbeing

• Special cases

• What helps?

Who goes to University?

• Brightest and best?• I sent my head to University• Transition to HE begins early• Opportunities and challenges• A goldfish bowl / a pressure cooker

Wellbeing and work

‘Skills for study include the ability to maintain appropriate work-life balance and psychological equilibrium, to manage stress and work collaboratively with others, to remain motivated and avoid procrastination, and to develop emotional intelligence and psychological coping strategies.’

Charting your journey

Milestones

Strengths & Fault lines and their impact

What is my core belief about myself?

Educational self esteem

Skills for study

Some examples

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Pre-existing and emerging MH difficulties

Movement from one CMHT to anotherGeographical distance from known Lost support networksStigma

Not everyone understandsThoughts feelings and behaviourWhere is new support network?

When someone has emerging mental health difficulties at University there can be new challenges

Confusion and destabilisation to one’s sense of self

Feeling constrained by our own/others prejudices

Difficult symptoms to manage

Being unfamiliar with how to access support

Feeling driven towards behaviour (coping strategies) which might not help

Loss of the ‘old me’

What helps?

• Awareness of strengths and needs• Normalise talking about mental health• Signpost to support (Tutor/DSA/CMHT)• Fresh starts balanced with safety nets• Peer to peer connections• Tailored provision