Which University to protect my mental health?

I'm at the point of applying for university and I'm really excited to go and study and move out next year. However, I've struggled from a lot of severe mental health issues particularly in the last few years, and only recently, after a lot of medication and therapy, have I been able to pick myself up enough to motivate myself to actually properly study and think about university and the future.
I'm scared that when I go to uni I'll break down again, without having the support and familiarity of my home, parents, boyfriend etc..
I want to do Mechanical Engineering and I'm looking at applying to Oxford, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. But I get the idea that some of those might be more detrimental to my mental health than others.
I suppose what I'm asking is firstly, how other people with pre-existing mental health issues have coped since starting university, and also which of these unis people have found to have the best atmospheres and support systems in place for helping with this kind of thing.
Thanks : )

If you’re concerned about your mental health (actually as I was last year) I would say to not go for Oxford. I only applied to see if I could get in, and then had to turn my offer down as a result of this worry (Which was very difficult to do). Those other unis as still very respected and won’t hold your future back at all!

(Ps, for reference I’m going to the University of York this year!)

I would say don't do Oxford. You can still get an amazing degree from other institutions and have less pressure. I was gonna apply to Oxford a couple of years ago. Glad I didn't because don't think it would've done me any favours. I would much rather go somewhere which lets me have fun too. I haven't heard great things about Bristol either, but I think they are working on how they support people. Not sure about any of the others, they are probably ok

I'm at the point of applying for university and I'm really excited to go and study and move out next year. However, I've struggled from a lot of severe mental health issues particularly in the last few years, and only recently, after a lot of medication and therapy, have I been able to pick myself up enough to motivate myself to actually properly study and think about university and the future.
I'm scared that when I go to uni I'll break down again, without having the support and familiarity of my home, parents, boyfriend etc..
I want to do Mechanical Engineering and I'm looking at applying to Oxford, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. But I get the idea that some of those might be more detrimental to my mental health than others.
I suppose what I'm asking is firstly, how other people with pre-existing mental health issues have coped since starting university, and also which of these unis people have found to have the best atmospheres and support systems in place for helping with this kind of thing.
Thanks : )

If you’re concerned about your mental health (actually as I was last year) I would say to not go for Oxford. I only applied to see if I could get in, and then had to turn my offer down as a result of this worry (Which was very difficult to do). Those other unis as still very respected and won’t hold your future back at all!

(Ps, for reference I’m going to the University of York this year!)

Bristol is notorious lmao. and definitely rule out Oxford. maybe one of the smaller, scenic and community-oriented unis will the best for you.

I'm at the point of applying for university and I'm really excited to go and study and move out next year. However, I've struggled from a lot of severe mental health issues particularly in the last few years, and only recently, after a lot of medication and therapy, have I been able to pick myself up enough to motivate myself to actually properly study and think about university and the future.
I'm scared that when I go to uni I'll break down again, without having the support and familiarity of my home, parents, boyfriend etc..
I want to do Mechanical Engineering and I'm looking at applying to Oxford, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. But I get the idea that some of those might be more detrimental to my mental health than others.
I suppose what I'm asking is firstly, how other people with pre-existing mental health issues have coped since starting university, and also which of these unis people have found to have the best atmospheres and support systems in place for helping with this kind of thing.
Thanks : )

Wow it must have felt pretty great to get to turn down that offer haha. University of York seems great, good luck!
Something else I'm a bit worried about is if the night/party life drags on my mental health. I know that you don't have to be involved in the night life and drinking and stuff, but the thing is I love all that. I go to lots of parties and gigs and stuff and it's only recently that it's occurred to me that all the drinking probably isn't helping with my mental health, and I'm sure that in uni all that will do the opposite of get better. Are you looking forward to the night life at York?

What course are you doing?

I am in a similar position with applying for a very taxing course to kind of trial to see if I could get in. Got in. Makes it hard to feel like you can turn it down, even though you know it is the right thing for your mental health. So well done being able to do that.

Thanks for the tag




Personally, based on my own experience of Oxford and that of some friends too, I would heavily caution you about accepting an Oxford offer (if you decide to apply and you were to be made one). Oxford is an extremely fast-paced and intense environment, which is not always helpful or conducive for those with severe mental health issues. It could derail you and that would be a shame, since you seem to have come a long way with your mental health

That said, it is not for me to dictate whether you should apply or not, or indeed accept an offer or not. I would strongly suggest that, as someone with pre-existing severe mental health issues, you find out as much as you can (ideally before or whilst applying) about what reasonable adjustments Oxford could offer you. I mean this in terms of general support, but also reasonable adjustments and concessions for exams. Weigh what Oxford offers up against other unis and see which support provisions would suit your needs and goals best.

Finally, it is far better to go to a non-Oxbridge uni and get good support and a strong degree classification, than to spend three (or in your case, four?) years struggling and end up with a 2.2. The latter is what ended up happening to me

You mention a few things that you are worried about. Would another way of looking at it help - making a list of the things you need to keep you well? The standard advice on low mood (as you may know) is to have regular *physical activity * social contacts with people you trust * contact with nature * self-chosen goals * mindfulness *doing good things for others.(You will have your own list of things, of course)

Personally, I'd find it disastrous to be in the vcentre of a big city because it would be too difficult to get the contact with the natural world that keeps me sane. Other people might freak out at the prospect of being so far from home that they couldnt pop back if they were needing a weekend of being looked after by their Mum. Another person might need to be next to a gym or a swimming pool to get the exercise they find lifts them of a low mood. Hope that's not too patronisingly obvious.

Thanks, it's definitely helpful to hear a point of view from someone who has actually had the Oxford experience. Some of my cousins who went to Oxford always talk about it as if it will be easy, which I've found hard to believe, but I guess they haven't known the extent of my difficulties.
And yeah I would say I have come a long way, thank you! It definitely feels really good to actually be able to think about my future and genuinely feel some excitement towards my studies. Losing that by backtracking on my mental health would be a huge shame, especially as university is probably when you need the most academic motivation. You're right that it probably wouldn't be worth it if there was a high chance I was putting my health at risk.