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This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, which is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to concentrate and raise awareness on achieving good mental health. It’s key for starting conversations surrounding mental health and provides the chance to reflect on aspects that influence our wellbeing from day to day.
We spoke to some of our students at Imperial College Business School and they shared some invaluable advice that they would like to pass on to the Imperial College London community, about how they support their own mental health and wellbeing as students, as well as during the exam period.
Mangala Prasetia - Global Online MBA
What are your tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing as a student?
My top 3 tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing would be:
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Change up your environment. When you're studying for exams or working intensely through an assessment task, it can get quite mundane to be in the same room for hours on end. Mix it up and go to the local cafe, library, park or different areas of the campus. Get some fresh air throughout the day and find an environment which makes you feel more relaxed and focused.
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Talk to people: As humans, we are social creatures and it's important to maintain social connections for our wellbeing. Regularly catch up with your friends and family (virtually or in person). Sign up to a club or organisation on campus to meet new people who are like-minded and have similar interests. Go to networking events. Say hi and introduce yourself to the student next to you in the lecture theatre. Even the most introverted personalities need some level of human interaction throughout the week.
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Organise your days and weeks in a calendar. Make sure that you have allocated enough time to balance out studying, socialising and spending some alone time for self-care. If you can see what you have on throughout your day, you will feel less overwhelmed. More importantly, allocate yourself small breaks throughout the day and stick to the schedule! That way you don't feel guilty about watching YouTube skits, and you won't procrastinate either.
Do you have a favourite location on campus or in London where you can go to when you feel anxious and stressed?
I personally find that spending time outdoors in parks or gardens helps me clear my mind - it also helps me with my mindfulness and breathing exercises, which takes away the stress and anxiety. The Prince's Gardens on campus is a great place to unwind. Off campus, I enjoy a walk around Kensington Gardens - there are spacious walking paths, it's usually quite peaceful throughout the day, and you get some great views of Kensington Palace! Back in my country of residence, Australia, I like to go to the local beaches to get some much-needed fresh air and hear the sounds of waves (and sometimes feel them on my feet as I walk along the shoreline!)
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice before taking your exams, what would it be?
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself the most important thing is to remember it's about the process, not the outcome. Exams are just a small part of the journey. There is so much more to the Business School to experience - the connections and friendships you foster, the memories of activities that you will fondly reflect on (perhaps someday if not now) and the career opportunities you get exposed to. Yes, I absolutely agree that you must dedicate your time to studying and achieving good grades, but at the end of the day, what matters most is if you have tried your best. Your success should not be defined by a single set of exams but it's about your personal and professional growth during the Imperial journey.
Do you have an inspirational quote that helps and motivates you?
One of my favourite quotes, and something which motivates me to keep going is an ancient Chinese proverb by Confucius, who says something along the lines of "It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you don't stop" (translated). My late grandfather would often quote this to me to remind me that progress is still progress, no matter how slow it may be. When it comes to preparing for exams, it can sometimes be slow going trying to understand a particularly difficult concept. However, if you continue to persevere, you enhance your resilience and ultimately you are more prepared than you were before.
Virali Modi - MSc Finance & Accounting
What are your tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing as a student?
As a student, your mental health and wellbeing are important for your academic success and overall quality of life. Prioritising self-care activities such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular physical activity is key.
Another tip is to manage your time effectively; being organised can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. You can use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and productivity apps to stay on top of your coursework and other commitments.
It's also essential to stay connected with friends, family, and other social networks, especially during stressful times like exams or deadlines. Talking to someone can help you relieve stress and gain perspective on your situation.
Furthermore, developing a positive mindset and focusing on gratitude can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. Take time each day to reflect on the things you are thankful for, practice mindfulness, and engage in activities that bring you joy.
Lastly, if you're struggling with your mental health, don't be afraid to seek help. Imperial offers a Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service.
Do you have a favourite location on campus or in London where you can go to when you feel anxious and stressed?
As someone who enjoys reading, I find the library to be a great place to go to when I'm feeling stressed or anxious on our South Kensington campus or in London. The peaceful atmosphere, abundance of books, and quiet study areas help me to calm down and focus my mind on something other than my worries. I usually spend some time browsing through the shelves, picking up a book that catches my interest, and finding a comfortable spot to sit and read.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice before taking your exams, what would it be?
If I could go back in time, I would remind myself to stay calm and trust my preparation. It's easy to get caught up in feelings of stress and anxiety during exam season, but it's essential to remember that I attended all the lectures and studied all the topics throughout the semester. I have gained the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the exam questions.
It's also helpful to keep in mind that exams are often about applying logic and critical thinking, rather than memorising information. By focusing on the broader concepts and how they connect, rather than trying to recall every detail, I can approach the exam questions with greater confidence and clarity. In addition to maintaining a positive mindset, it's also important to take care of oneself during the exam period. Getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and engaging in regular exercise can all help to reduce stress levels and improve cognitive function
Do you have an inspirational quote that helps and motivates you?
“Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody says distract you from your goals.” - Michelle Obama.
This is an essential reminder to stay grounded in who you are and what you want to achieve, despite the distractions and pressures of the world around you.
Swapan Bahrani - MSc Economics & Strategy for Business
What are your tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing as a student?
The first step to overall well-being is self-love and self-appreciation. I believe that starting your day with some form of self-affirmation and positive self-talk can make a stimulating difference. I personally sit for a couple of minutes to meditate every morning and it helps me start my day on a positive and refreshing note. Secondly, I would also recommend indulging in a hobby or developing a skill you personally admire or feel passionate about. I like going for a run once every day or doing functional training in the gym. It helps me drain all the stress that comes with the rigorous coursework and managing personal and social responsibilities.
Do you have a favourite location on campus or in London where you can go to when you feel anxious and stressed?
I love going to the Tower Bridge pier which has the most beautiful view of the Shard and Tower Bridge. The calm along the waterfront helps me rejuvenate and find my calm amidst the chaos. The skyscrapers give me a sense of ambition and persistence, inspiring me to aim high and never settle for less.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice before taking your exams, what would it be?
The only piece of advice I would share with my younger self and everyone else in general would be to not doubt yourself and your mental capabilities during exams. It’s quite natural to feel underprepared before appearing for an exam but the trick is to believe and constantly reassure yourself that you have given it your best and even if certain things do not go your way, you can find a way out of the difficulty.
Do you have a motivational / inspirational quote that helps or motivates you?
The quote that has stayed with me for years is – “grow through what you go through.”
Aakriti Jhunjhunwala, Global Online MBA.
What are your tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing as a student?
My top tip for looking after one’s mental health is to take time off to just de-stress every day. This could be just 15 mins to half an hour. One can do any activity they want in this time – go for a walk, meet friends, watch a TV show, go for a workout etc. However, I think it is crucial to take these 15 minutes of self-care time daily, to de-compress and let the body and mind relax.
Personally, I really enjoy going to the gym, going for yoga classes and gardening to de-stress. Time that I spend doing these activities is sacred and I don’t look at my phone or emails during this time. I force myself to stop thinking about school work and I am 100% in the present moment.
Do you have a favourite location on campus or in London where you can go to when you feel anxious and stressed?
When I am stressed and just need to breathe and connect with myself, I head to the Serpentine in Hyde Park .The beautiful trees, the open space, the waddling ducks, the white swans and all the adorable dogs out for their walk always cheers me up. If the weather is not conducive for a walk in the park, then I go to South Kensington bookstore and just spend some time without any device and browsing books.
If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice before taking your exams, what would it be?
Well, the first thing I would tell myself would be to prepare in advance and to keep up with the programme material throughout the school year, so that the exam period is not so overwhelming.
During exam week itself, I would remind myself that the amount of time I am wasting worrying, and planning what to do, can be used to study and get the work done instead.
It is a bit of a vicious cycle – we get stressed because of the work, but the more we get stressed, the less work gets done. So, it is crucial to remain calm, break the work up into small, achievable portions and to get the work done.
Finally, I would also remind myself, that exams are not the end of the world. Grades are not the only representation of my abilities and my learnings. The goal is to learn and to grow. Grades are secondary.
Do you have a motivational / inspirational quote that helps or motivates you?
If you make the easy choices, you will have a hard life.
If you make the hard choices, you will have a easy life.
Also,
This too shall pass.
Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week here.
If you are a student at Imperial College London and you are in crisis or need to speak to someone urgently, please go to our other sources of support page here. If your query is not urgent you can email us directly at counselling@imperial.ac.uk and we will respond to you as soon as possible upon reopening.
For student support and help, please visit our Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service.
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