Posted 14 October 2024

Studying in Higher Education (HE) can be hugely rewarding but there are times it can be stressful. Needing to meet deadlines and move into new accommodation, among other challenging situations, can be compounded for care-experienced learners by their lack of family support. 

The theme for this year’s National Stress Awareness Day (6 November) is campaigning to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. This is something that you as a key influencer can help students with throughout their transition to and experience in HE. 

Go Higher West Yorkshire’s certified Care to Go Higher CPD programme provides a lot of useful information about how you can pre-empt some potentially stress-inducing situations and offer support to your young person. We take a look below at some of its key wellbeing tips and advice. 

Transition to HE 

Starting HE can be a whirl of social activities, from Freshers Week to welcome events planned for new students. This can overlook how many additional activities care-experienced students may need to do in that same week. 

For students without a family member or someone there to support them, things as simple as going for a first food shop can be daunting. They need to locate the shop, arrange transport, and consider managing their own diet and budget for the first time. 

Some care-experienced students may also need to register for support services, a GP, and a new pharmacy. In addition, they may need to purchase essentials like bedding and kitchen equipment, which many of their peers would bring from a family home.  

These activities can all be challenging without someone to guide them through the process, but as a key influencer you can make a real difference.  

If you are able to join your young person when they travel to their accommodation for the first time, you can help them to get their bearings. If this is not possible, you can still help them to prepare by locating in advance where the local facilities and shops are. In addition, you can make an action plan for signing up to services or help create an initial budget. These are all ways to reduce stress during the initial transition period. 

Experience in HE 

Throughout their time in HE, care-experienced students will experience stress differently. This can include exam periods, where to live during holidays (if they do not have year-round accommodation), or times of personal significance that can bring up memories and emotions that make other aspects of HE challenging.  

Being able to communicate with your young person and maintaining contact with them throughout their HE experience can help them to feel supported. You can also ensure you signpost them to support available at their HE provider, such as wellbeing or budgeting opportunities.   

Conclusion 

As a key influencer, you have an opportunity to make a real difference to care-experienced students by supporting them during stressful times. Thinking about potentially stressful periods ahead of time can be your way of making a difference for National Stress Awareness Day. 

 

Dominic House, GHWY Care to Go Higher Delivery Officer