The journey as a university student is both inspiring and stressful. While we embark on unique learning opportunities, we also face challenges that can impact our health, well-being, and academic life.
The good news is that by developing good habits and strategies, we can emerge stronger from these difficulties. In this blog, I’ll share strategies I’ve learned during my undergraduate years that have helped me build resilience.
What is resilience?
Resilience is the ability to adjust and cope with difficult life events, adopting strategies that will not only assist us during the challenging moments, but also promote personal growth. Factors such as cognitive flexibility, acceptance, active coping and social support have been linked to psychological resilience. This means we can cultivate a resilient mindset and learn techniques to bounce back stronger after setbacks.
These are some strategies that have helped me build resilience as a university student:
Acceptance and flexibility
Things won’t always go as planned. Everyone has a unique set of skills and personality traits, so some learning activities might be more challenging for us than for others. For example, group-based assessments might be tough if you prefer individual study.
Understanding course requirements and learning outcomes can help prepare for these challenges. This information is available on the Electronic Course Profile System (ECPs) and can be discussed with tutors and course coordinators. Identifying the skills you need to develop can be tricky, so consider contacting UQ’s student advisors for guidance.
Be gentle on yourself
Hard work doesn’t always guarantee the grades we want. It’s okay to feel disappointed, but avoid self-blame, as it only leads to more distress and undermines your confidence. A self-compassionate attitude is more fruitful. Ask yourself what you’d say to a friend in the same situation and try applying that kindness to yourself. If self-criticism is an issue, this 15-minute exercise guided by Associate Professor James Kirby can be helpful.
Extracting growth from setbacks
After acknowledging your pain, reflect on the event to extract life lessons. Understanding what went wrong is crucial. Did you learn anything that makes you feel stronger and more prepared for future challenges? This could include practical tips like better task prioritisation or ensuring a good night's sleep before exams, or broader lessons like improving communication or realising that some things are beyond our control.
Self-care and mindfulness
Don’t wait for things to go wrong to look after yourself. Thriving during stressful times requires energy, so be prepared. Establish a regular sleep routine, eat a balanced diet, exercise, stay connected with friends, and make time for fun. Engage in mindfulness activities to understand your emotions better and identify when to seek support.
Seek support
We don’t need to go through life challenges on our own. I am a believer that together we are always stronger.
Here are some ways that we can reach out for support that assist us in building resilience:
- Social support: reach out to family, friends, or peers.
- Reach out to your tutors or course coordinators if you need support with meeting the course requirements.
- Explore the mental health support and wellbeing programs available for UQ students. Learn more about navigating mental health challenges and looking after your mental health at university.
- For crisis support:
- The UQ Crisis Line support is available from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
- Lifeline and Beyond Blue provide 24/7 support via phone or chat.
University life is fulfilling and rewarding but also challenging. By focusing on personal growth, we can transform setbacks into valuable learning experiences that make us stronger and help us reach our goals.
Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements and appreciate the simple things along the way. You’ve got this!