Living with a Mental Health Condition at University

This article was written by Creative Writing & Journalism BA(Hons) student, Amal Brepotra.

Starting university can be scary. But starting with a condition that impacts your learning is a whole other kind of scary. As someone who struggles with a mixed depressive and anxiety disorder, the idea of moving far from home felt overwhelming. I had a lot of questions and worries even before I arrived in Falmouth. 

Thankfully, with the right resources, I managed to navigate my first year and get the most out of it. To make your journey a little smoother, I’ll share how I prepped for uni while balancing my own accessibility needs, from sorting out accommodation to finding the right support at the university.  

Accommodation

When I was checking out the accommodation options in Falmouth and Penryn, the biggest thing for me was comfort.  I wanted to be somewhere close to Falmouth campus and to other necessities in town, but also somewhere that made me feel safe and at ease.  

I ended up choosing Tuke House, which was a great call. Not only is it in a good spot, but there's also staff available 9-5 during the week in case of emergencies - like the many times I locked myself out (which, trust me, happens more often than you'd think). They were always super chill about it.  

When I applied for first-year housing, I made sure to mention that I wasn’t suited to a shared room due to my mental health. The university was really understanding, so don’t be afraid to speak up about your needs.  

Student Finance

Navigating student finance is one of the most difficult factors of university life. Numbers and money have never been something I excelled at, but with the right support, I was able to understand how to apply for and manage my finances. 

After applying for your main student finance, you may also be able to apply for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) as well. This provides extra funding to help with the costs of any support related to your studies so you can excel in your learning.  

Through the DSA, I got access to software and equipment that makes my uni work more manageable, plus a support mentor I meet with weekly. Unlike a maintenance loan, the tools provided by DSA carry through the summer, meaning I can still have my support meetings during non-term times and access other resources so I’m more prepared for the following academic year. If you’re struggling, then it’s completely ok to reach out to someone. Talking to financial advisors at my bank and on campus, and with my parents, has helped a lot, allowing me to take control of my money and mental health. 

Support Services

Falmouth is a wonderful place to study and can be even greater when you have access to mental health resources throughout the year. You can book drop-in sessions online or in-person on both campuses to figure out with a trained professional the type of support you may need. I’ve accessed the university’s counselling service and found it to be incredibly helpful with managing my wellbeing. It’s also important to stay open with your support network - whether that’s friends, family, or the uni itself. People want to help, and sometimes leaning on them is exactly what you need. 

Another lifesaver has been my Individual Learning Plan (ILP). This is tailored to your specific needs and can make studying a lot less stressful. I got mine through the accessibility team, and it’s been super helpful - especially since it gives me extended deadlines for assignments.  

There’s a whole heap of options out there and with the correct support, your time at university will be an absolute blast! There is always a solution to managing your mental health during your studies and nothing can prevent you from accessing what you need to thrive.