7 tips from the Well-being Ambassadors to navigate student life
Starting university is a big step. There is a lot to arrange. The Well-being Ambassadors offer a helping hand to guide you through the practical aspects of student life.
As Well-being Ambassadors, we understand where you’re coming from, especially since we are students who have been in the same position that you are in now. It’s easy (and valid) to feel drained, hopeless and overwhelmed. But it’s also important to keep in mind that you will get through this and step-by-step, everything will work out. Here are some tips to help you more easily navigate this process:
- Validate your feelings of overwhelmed-ness. You’re absolutely right – it's all a bit much. It’s important to acknowledge the feelings of stress, doubt and worry that arise, instead of trying to suppress them. Starting university and having to arrange all sorts of things is not easy, so try to be a friend to yourself through the process. It’s way too easy to turn against ourselves when times get tough, but what if we were to validate our feelings and support ourselves instead?
- Make a list. Lists are a lifesaver. They help you get organized, keep track of things, and get things done. Since there are many practical matters to take care of, writing them all down can help clear your mind. You can use the 'Prepare for your studies' webpage to help you get a better idea of what you need to prepare. Tip: Check out the Navigator for students to help guide you through your studies. Simply select your year of study and indicate your study programme for programme-specific information. Additionally, the university has already made a 'Prepare your stay' available for international students.
- Prioritize. Great, you’ve made a list! Now, where to begin? This is where prioritization comes in. Option: Use the Eisenhower Matrix to help you decide what to work on first, depending on the criteria of urgency and importance.
- Celebrate yourself and your achievements. Checked one thing off your list? Celebrate it! This will motivate you to tackle the next task. Care for yourself first so that you have energy for other things. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
- Ask for help. Send emails, contact people, and if you are unsure about something, reach out. It’s better to ask for guidance rather than to hopelessly ruminate. If you have any questions about studying at Leiden University, you can contact the Front Office Student Affairs.
- Learn from other people’s experiences. Although it may feel like you’re in this all alone, the truth is: we’re all in the same boat. There’s comfort in knowing that, because that means we can learn from each other’s experiences. Tip: Scroll down to find out what the Well-being Ambassadors wish they knew in their first year of university. You might learn something new from their experiences!
- Remind yourself that all of this is temporary. It may feel like a never-ending process but remember that this too shall pass. Yes, navigating through the practicalities of student life is part of the student experience, but it’s merely one part. There's so much more to look forward to, such as making friends, studying together, and exploring the city.
More tips
What the Well-being Ambassadors wish they knew about in their first year of university:
Vuslat: 'As an international student, I wish I knew about student finance. Now that I’m working as a Well-being Ambassador, I’m eligible for student finance. This means that I receive finance from the Dutch government (including the Student Travel Product) for the period that I am working and studying at the same time. Since I am working, I am also eligible for Dutch health insurance and zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance). Eligibility for student finance depends on several factors including age, course, nationality, and number of working hours. If I had known about student finance earlier, I would have considered applying for jobs earlier in my studies. ' Read more about student finance on the DUO website.
Are you an International Student? Then check out the welcome guide.
Hilde: 'Starting at university is already a big step, and then also living by yourself for the first time? This can add a lot of new responsibilities to your plate which take up a lot of time and headspace. One thing that has helped me is to create a list at the start of the week with meal ideas and make sure I buy the ingredients needed. That way, when I'm busy during the week, I don't have to think about what to cook for dinner and save time by not needing to go to the store every day. Over the years, I have built up a repertoire of recipes that I like and collected them in a book, so it makes the choice even easier. As a backup, I always have enough basic ingredients at home to be able to cook a quick meal.'
Want to know more?
Read more about the well-being ambassadors or follow them on Instagram.
Are you experiencing things that get in the way of your well-being? If so, check out the Student Well-being Roadmap to see where to turn.