WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY : EMBRACING WELLBEING AT NSCD

As we celebrate World Mental Health Day, this year we take a moment to reflect on the journey our students - especially those new students joining us - embark on as they transition into life at NSCD. This period is filled with excitement and new opportunities, but it can also bring challenges. Moving away from home, navigating the demands of performance, forming new friendships, and managing academic stress can take a toll on mental well-being. At NSCD, we recognise the importance of prioritising mental health, especially during these transformative years.

NSCD’s Student Services department is a 'one-stop shop' for all students, and aims to be students’ first point of call for all enquiries which may range from health & wellbeing support, timetabling, accommodation, English language support, safeguarding and attendance.

Ali Coleman, Student Services and Wellbeing Manager at NSCD (pictured below) says:

“In the whirlwind of dance classes, rehearsals, and social events, it’s easy to forget about taking care of ourselves. But nurturing your mental health is just as vital as perfecting your technique. Remember, it is OK to take a step back and focus on what you need.”

Ali has provided some top tips below to help students manage stress and prioritise wellbeing.

• Give yourself time: Starting university is a huge change so don’t expect that you will feel completely at home straight away.  It takes time to find your feet and to feel settled so allow yourself to get there.

• Remember that everyone will be anxious about something: You’re not the only one feeling worried or insecure.  Everyone will be experiencing these feelings about some aspect of their life.  Anxiety builds when we get anxious about being anxious so try to be kind to yourself and accept that anxiety and stress are a normal part of change.  You’re not alone in this journey.

• It’s normal to miss home and people you love:  Homesickness and wanting to be back with people who are familiar and secure is completely normal.  It’s good to keep in contact with those people and to arrange times to see them and invite them to visit – but also try to spend time with new people in new places too.  There’s lots to get to grips with in the first few weeks of term and remember most people are also new here and might be feeling similarly wobbly.  Go exploring around the area – find the places you think you’ll enjoy go to and going out in.  What seems scarily new at first will hopefully feel familiar and safe soon.

• NSCD didn’t make a mistake: There’s a thing called ‘Imposter Syndrome’ which most people experience at times in their life.  You might feel that everyone in your class is better than you or that you don’t belong here.  Remember that NSCD selected YOU – that you deserve to be here and you’re not an imposter.  Give yourself time and tell yourself as much as you need to that you are good enough to be here.

• Limit social media: While it can be a great way to connect, too much time online can lead to comparison and stress. Take breaks and focus on real-life interactions.

• Don’t be afraid to find some time for yourself: New environments, new people and new routines can be overwhelming so pay attention to how you’re feeling and take time out to be alone whenever you need time out.  Spend some time making your room a cosy, relaxing space for you – photos, plants, playlists and reminders of things and people we love can help us feel calm and secure.

• Get on top of your routine:  Sometimes having structure can really help us feel calm and in control.  Spend a bit of time getting to grips with your timetable, identify when you might want to fit in independent study and rest time and – just as importantly – find times throughout the week when you can enjoy yourself too.  For those of you needing to work outside of school, think about how many hours you can commit to once you’ve got your timetable – and remember to factor in time to relax too!

• You don’t have to be perfect: It sounds obvious but you’re here to learn, not to already know everything.  Allow yourself to be ‘good enough’.  You can strive to be amazing but only accepting that perfection is an impossible task that leads to self-criticism and burn out.

• Your work is not you:  Throughout your time here, you’ll develop your creative identity, take risks and make mistakes along the way.  You’ll get feedback and corrections that will sometimes feel disappointing.  Try to hold in mind that these are to help you learn and develop and are not personal.  Learning is about being able to tolerate not knowing or being able to do something immediately but finding your own way to master it eventually.

• Look after yourself: Getting enough sleep, eating well, getting outside each day and finding your balance of work and fun are key to you doing well and enjoying your time here.  For some of you, dancing all day will be a big change from what you’ve done previously and your tiredness, energy and hunger levels will be different.  Listen to your body and read its signals.  This will help you build new routines and habits and help you stay in good physical and mental shape and reduce risk of injury or burn out.

• Talk whenever you need to: It’s completely normal to feel low, anxious or overwhelmed at times – particularly when you’ve gone through such a big life change as starting university.  You might have family or old (or new) friends that you feel OK opening up to but if not, or if you want to talk to someone outside of your circle, the NSCD Wellbeing Service offers free, confidential support and counselling services to all students – see the comprehensive offering here.