The Student Room Group

Starting uni with mental health issues

I'm going to be studying a somewhat elite university come September, despite it not being the uni I originally wanted to go to. I never got offers from my top two unis, so I'm a bit disappointed about the whole thing. I'm also pretty afraid of going. I suffer from anxiety and pretty severe misophonia ('hatred' of certain sounds), so I'm really scared about socialising and living in accommodation. I'll be living in a loud area and I'm honestly so scared that the noise will be bad, my misophonia can often get unbearable if I hear certain trigger sounds. I also look very young for my age so I feel like people won't want to talk to me. I usually wouldn't go to TSR for these things but I feel like out of all places this is the best place to go. Does anyone have any advice on how to settle into uni with mental issues? Or just how to make the process easier in general?

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Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to be studying a somewhat elite university come September, despite it not being the uni I originally wanted to go to. I never got offers from my top two unis, so I'm a bit disappointed about the whole thing. I'm also pretty afraid of going. I suffer from anxiety and pretty severe misophonia ('hatred' of certain sounds), so I'm really scared about socialising and living in accommodation. I'll be living in a loud area and I'm honestly so scared that the noise will be bad, my misophonia can often get unbearable if I hear certain trigger sounds. I also look very young for my age so I feel like people won't want to talk to me. I usually wouldn't go to TSR for these things but I feel like out of all places this is the best place to go. Does anyone have any advice on how to settle into uni with mental issues? Or just how to make the process easier in general?


My grandma always tells me everything will be ok so there is no need to worry in advance.Maybe purchase noise cancelling headphones.
You still have the chance to switch your accommodation if you want to (unless any kind of deadline has passed?)
Reply 3
Original post by shawn_o1
You still have the chance to switch your accommodation if you want to (unless any kind of deadline has passed?)


Nope, it's not possible to change accommodation :frown:
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
My grandma always tells me everything will be ok so there is no need to worry in advance.Maybe purchase noise cancelling headphones.


I have them already and can't live without them haha
Have you thought about getting in touch with disability services at your university?
You won't be alone. One in four people experience mental health problems at some point in their lives, and at a stressful place such as Uni there will be many others with anxieties, phobias, depression etc. Your Uni should have a support service of trained professionals whose job it is to help people cope and ensure that they get a fair chance. Speak to them before you go and also contact your department to explain the situation so that they have a chance to make any necessary adjustments. Since you are posting anonymously, can you explain which sounds are the worst? Most lecturers do the job because they like working with people and want to share their knowledge (not for the money!). They will want to help you (and are required in law to make reasonable adjustments for you)
As for looking young, again, don't worry. In the first few weeks you'll meet a wide range of people from different backgrounds. Some you will want to avoid, some you will think are a little odd but most will be feeling just as nervous and isolated as you to start with and glad of someone to talk to. The first few weeks can be a challenge in terms of gaining independence and experiencing a different way of life, but the rewards are massive.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 7
Most people experience some sort of mental issues at uni. So many people are depressed and anxiety is as common as a flu.
Make sure you let someone know (maybe a welcome mentor, or one flatmate?) and text them when it hits you.
Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people at uni are very understanding and no one will judge you
Original post by Anonymous
I'm going to be studying a somewhat elite university come September, despite it not being the uni I originally wanted to go to. I never got offers from my top two unis, so I'm a bit disappointed about the whole thing. I'm also pretty afraid of going. I suffer from anxiety and pretty severe misophonia ('hatred' of certain sounds), so I'm really scared about socialising and living in accommodation. I'll be living in a loud area and I'm honestly so scared that the noise will be bad, my misophonia can often get unbearable if I hear certain trigger sounds. I also look very young for my age so I feel like people won't want to talk to me. I usually wouldn't go to TSR for these things but I feel like out of all places this is the best place to go. Does anyone have any advice on how to settle into uni with mental issues? Or just how to make the process easier in general?


Get headphones, talk to people in charge of your accommodation about it to see if they come up with any solution but it's also important to let your uni's occupational health know about any mental health issues you have. You're certainly not the first, nor last person to have them, but they'll support you and organise counselling sessions for you and make your uni life SO much easier
Reply 9
Original post by Sabertooth
Have you thought about getting in touch with disability services at your university?


Would that be considered a disability? I've never considered that, I'm kind of afraid telling people incase they think I'm just being fussy or difficult.
Original post by Lit teacher
You won't be alone. One in four people experience mental health problems at some point in their lives, and at a stressful place such as Uni there will be many others with anxieties, phobias, depression etc. Your Uni should have a support service of trained professionals whose job it is to help people cope and ensure that they get a fair chance. Speak to them before you go and also contact your department to explain the situation so that they have a chance to make any necessary adjustments. Since you are posting anonymously, can you explain which sounds are the worst? Most lecturers do the job because they like working with people and want to share their knowledge (not for the money!). They will want to help you (and are required in law to make reasonable adjustments for you)
As for looking young, again, don't worry. In the first few weeks you'll meet a wide range of people from different backgrounds. Some you will want to avoid, some you will think are a little odd but most will be feeling just as nervous and isolated as you to start with and glad of someone to talk to. The first few weeks can be a challenge in terms of gaining independence and experiencing a different way of life, but the rewards are massive.


Really severe triggers include TV/radio/music in other rooms (I don't mind clear sound if it's coming from the room I'm in, but like the muffled TV background noise), heavy breathing, hearing shower water hit the tub/bath (from another room) and snoring. I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous and stupid. These sounds will induce a panic attack if not blocked out. I have other sounds that make me anxious but are easier to deal with than those mentioned above.
Original post by Pinkberry_y
Get headphones, talk to people in charge of your accommodation about it to see if they come up with any solution but it's also important to let your uni's occupational health know about any mental health issues you have. You're certainly not the first, nor last person to have them, but they'll support you and organise counselling sessions for you and make your uni life SO much easier


Headphones are honestly a lifesaver, I cannot function without them.
Btw thank you for all the help everyone :smile:
Original post by Anonymous
Would that be considered a disability? I've never considered that, I'm kind of afraid telling people incase they think I'm just being fussy or difficult.


Yes. You need to contact them to see what assistance they can provide. presumably your condition has been diagnosed by a medical professional and if so they will be interested to help. They might nto be able to move you but they might come up with some suggestions.
Perhaps now isn't the best time for you to go to university? It's one of the reasons I'm not going this year.

I'm sure there will be a support system available, and you won't be the only one! Once you're settled in you'll feel a lot more comfortable, I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think. Good luck and I hope things improve for you :h:
Original post by 999tigger
Yes. You need to contact them to see what assistance they can provide. presumably your condition has been diagnosed by a medical professional and if so they will be interested to help. They might nto be able to move you but they might come up with some suggestions.


I have been diagnosed with anxiety but I haven't actually told anyone about my "misophonia". My parents have been mocking it since I was young and they actually produce the trigger sounds to annoy me. They think I'm just trying to annoy people; I assume doctors' will think a similar thing.

Also it's honestly pointless, I can never imagine myself being okay with those trigger sounds so there's no point wasting doctors' time. They'll probably think I'm just being childish and fussy.
Original post by A-LJLB
Perhaps now isn't the best time for you to go to university? It's one of the reasons I'm not going this year.

I'm sure there will be a support system available, and you won't be the only one! Once you're settled in you'll feel a lot more comfortable, I'm sure it won't be as bad as you think. Good luck and I hope things improve for you :h:


I mean I am really looking forward to studying so I'd like to go to uni this year. It is also impossible for me to live at home as I have a bad relationship with my mother, so I guess going to uni and putting up with noise is better. Thank you though :smile:
Original post by Anonymous
I mean I am really looking forward to studying so I'd like to go to uni this year. It is also impossible for me to live at home as I have a bad relationship with my mother, so I guess going to uni and putting up with noise is better. Thank you though :smile:


I understand, you know what's best for you!

If you find a good professional, I promise they won't mock you or think you're silly at all! This is coming from someone who's had therapy all their life - some are pretty damn understanding. It's worth a try, no? It could really make a difference, you don't deserve to be going through this, you deserve help
Original post by Anonymous
I have been diagnosed with anxiety but I haven't actually told anyone about my "misophonia". My parents have been mocking it since I was young and they actually produce the trigger sounds to annoy me. They think I'm just trying to annoy people; I assume doctors' will think a similar thing.

Also it's honestly pointless, I can never imagine myself being okay with those trigger sounds so there's no point wasting doctors' time. They'll probably think I'm just being childish and fussy.


If it was affecting me I would get it diagnosed. If you think theres no point , then thats your choice and you will just have to suffer in silence.
Original post by A-LJLB
I understand, you know what's best for you!

If you find a good professional, I promise they won't mock you or think you're silly at all! This is coming from someone who's had therapy all their life - some are pretty damn understanding. It's worth a try, no? It could really make a difference, you don't deserve to be going through this, you deserve help


Thank you for your kind words! I've had counselling/therapy when I was younger and it was awful, it felt like they treated me like a child that's just a bit fussy. Now that I'm an adult (by law, maybe not mind!) I should know better, but that mindset is hard to let go of I guess . . .

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