The AUB Wellbeing services, located in the Student Services building in a quiet corner of campus, are the first port of call for many students at AUB. Those needing a lift in their day, or advice on a challenging problem.
Talking therapy offered in short or long sessions, is provided by accredited professionals who are kind and patient. Whether you're looking for regular one-hour counselling sessions, or a 30-minute wellbeing drop-in during your lunch break, AUB offers many more suitable options for the busy arts student.
When it’s most useful to get in touch
Sometimes life can get in the way of our studious pursuits – and sometimes we think we can manage this; say, "I’ll be fine" and it’ll go away. But the truth is, it’s always healthier to let it out, in a safe space, where there is no place for judgement or criticism. Where a professional can sift through those negative thoughts or the tangled web of confusion, and help you discover the way out, or at least to find the calm amid the chaos.
It takes just one moment of clarity to help a clouded mind find the solution, or the balm at least, to a difficult life scenario. Even if everything seems okay, if you ever need someone to help you through the seemingly "smallest" struggles, the Wellbeing team is equipped with everything you need. Trust that even sharing just a bit of what’s on your mind can clear the fog ahead and help you see clearly.
How it's been useful for me
When I was having a really rough first year at university personally, I thought I wouldn’t be able to find the support I needed in an unfamiliar town. I had only just met all these new people and was trying to adjust to a new life, before my life was upturned. I knew I needed help to keep pursuing my degree and stay in university and manage social interactions when I didn’t feel like socialising at all – so Wellbeing is where I turned. Not only were they kind and compassionate, but they helped me communicate my needs to my tutors, get extensions when I missed time for the unavoidable struggles, and talk through my grief. And believe me when I say, I’m still learning how to open up!
It’s so important to share things with people who are mature about it and give you a response that helps you continue with your life, your way. I still go to Wellbeing often, to ensure I know what to do when things aren’t okay, or to manage daily challenges, and it helps to take a load off my shoulders.
Finally... take care of yourself
If you can take one thing away from my words, I hope it is that being vulnerable is okay. Not being able to cope sometimes is not a weakness; it’s part of being human. Humanity is a fragile thing. Emotions exist, and they can be turbulent and uncontrollable when things get hard. Other times, you may not feel anything at all. But know that there’s always support out there that can help you realise your needs and take care of yourself at university.
Amongst all the deadlines, relationship challenges and money struggles that students often face, and the countless memes out there to make student life feel lighter and relatable, it’s still crucial we give ourselves the time and the self-respect of reaching out when we feel like it’s too much.
Just taking that first step can be monumentally effective. Learning to manage difficult situations a bit better at this stage in our lives is likely to make our future that bit easier – knowing we have talked about our struggles to someone who has helped us reframe our thinking and navigate it in a healthy way, we can learn these skills to adapt in the wider world.
So if you’re having a rough day, reach out to someone you trust. Wellbeing is always a safe place to start, or continue your journey to better mental health.
