Any supportive uni suggestions please?

5

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Reply 1

DaisyChain1810

10

Original post

by miiiiim

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Hi there,

I’m really sorry you had such a bad experience at Plymouth university but it’s great you want to find somewhere else to study, you are so brave! And definitely go for it as once you find the right place for you, you’ll have a wonderful time.

I’m only speaking from personal experiences but I found Aberystwyth and Chester universities both really really supportive. I know they are in the north so probably too far up for you but I think the support staff are fabulous, especially in Chester.

There’s an open day at Chester on January 24 th if you’re interested in looking around and talking to the staff and students.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask!

Reply 2

McGinger

20

Look at smaller Unis - Bath Spa as one suggestion - or just take some time out to build up your confidence about leaving home etc, get a job, and reapply next year.

Reply 3

hallamstudents

Official Rep

18

Original post

by miiiiim

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Hi there.

I know Sheffield is not in the South West, but I thought I could give you a bit of advice from my experience anyway.

Have a look into some smaller universities, like has been suggested here. Sometimes they may be a bit more supportive as they are a bit smaller which could help in terms of the support that they can offer. It is worth having a look into it anyway as it could be helpful.

Talking to students from the universities you are considering could be helpful too, and I know it helped me when I was applying and thinking about where to go. Sometimes ambassadors are on 'The Ambassador Platform' where you can talk to them and ask questions about how the uni works etc and the support on offer which may help you make up your mind.

I would also say that one of the best things to do is to go to some open days so that you can get a feel for the place and how supportive it may be. I know that you will have to apply soon, but you can still apply for five that you are thinking of going to and then go to the open days before you firm any offers! I always think that this is the best way of getting to know what a university is like so have a look and see if there are any on in the next few months to go to.

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.

Reply 4

ARU Graduate

Official Rep

7

Original post

by miiiiim

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Hey!

I really feel this… what you went through sounds incredibly overwhelming, and it makes total sense that you felt scared and came home. That doesn’t mean you failed or that uni isn’t for you at all, it just means the situation wasn’t right for you at that time. Wanting to try again is actually such a strong thing to do.

There’s honestly no rush with any of this… take your time and make the decision that feels right for you, not the one you think you should make. One thing I’d really recommend is going to open days. They make such a difference because you can get a proper feel for the campus, the vibe, and whether you can actually imagine yourself there day to day. You also get the chance to talk to current students and lecturers, ask questions, and really understand what kind of support systems are in place, which can be so reassuring. Open days were a huge part of how I chose ARU, and without them I don’t think I would’ve felt as confident in my decision.

I can’t really suggest any universities in the South West as I didn’t study there, but I studied at ARU Cambridge and honestly I can’t speak highly enough of the support there. The lecturers were so approachable and genuinely caring, especially in times when I was struggling. I never felt like just a number… they really wanted students to do well and were so understanding when life got hard. That level of support made such a difference to my confidence and ability to cope.

Another thing to really consider is choosing a university where you don’t have to move far away from home, or somewhere you can commute to. I made this decision myself and it was one of the best things I did. Having my family and friends around for support was incredibly helpful, especially in the early stages before I’d built close connections at uni. It didn’t hold me back at all… if anything, it helped me settle in better because I felt more secure and supported. You still get the full uni experience, just with a safety net while you find your feet.

It might also be worth thinking about starting gently… even things like part-time study or just giving yourself permission to ease into it rather than expecting everything to feel perfect straight away. What you’re feeling is so valid, and there are so many students who feel exactly the same but don’t always say it out loud.

Be kind to yourself through this… you’re allowed to do uni in a way that works for you. You’re not behind, and you’re definitely not alone!

Good luck making your decision and I hope everything goes well for you this time round, whatever you decide to do! Sophie 🙂

Reply 5

LancashireRep4

Official Rep

12

Original post

by miiiiim

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Hi @miiiiim ,

I'm sorry to hear this has been difficult for you.

I see you have already received some excellent advice about attending smaller universities. You may find they have a closer knit community which could be helpful.

I'd also love to add that you could head onto the university websites and see the type of support available at different universities. I recommend prioritising those that focus on mental wellbeing, walk-in counselling sessions and generally invest in student happiness.

Aside from this, you could priorities universities that are closer to home, or even in travelling distance. There is no requirement to live on campus and you can still have a full university experience with travelling. I've done both travelling and living on campus and personally I much prefer travelling. If you are determined to experience living away, you could opt with a university closer to home so you could travel your first year, then move onto campus next year when you are ready for that step (I knew a friend who did this and they really benefitted from this method!).

If you would prefer to go to a university a bit further out, make sure to plan regular visits home. Having it planned can help you feel more relaxed as the uncertainty of when you will visit home again is no longer an issue. Additionally regular calls, facetimes, texting can all help with reducing homesickness.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (University of Lancashire)

Reply 6

LSBU

Official Rep

11

Original post

by miiiiim

I tried to go off to Plymouth uni last year, but I got overwhelmed and scared and came back home. I'd like to attempt uni again, but I'm scared to jump into being away from home on my own and everything...
I was wondering if anyone had any advice of friendly and supportive universities (for studying psychology especially) that are preferably near the South West area please?

Hey there, At LSBU, especially for Psychology, there is a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and support. You have access to wellbeing services, academic support teams, personal tutors and study skills support from the beginning of your course. You’re not just left to figure everything out alone.

Another thing to consider is location. LSBU is based in central London, which means students can choose to live at home and commute, or live in accommodation while still being well connected. Some students find that staying closer to family, especially in the first year, makes the transition much easier.

For Psychology specifically, the course is structured with clear academic guidance, research skills development and regular contact hours. You build your confidence gradually rather than being thrown into everything at once.
There is nothing wrong with taking this step more gently the second time. Whether that means commuting, starting with strong support systems in place, or speaking to student services before you begin, you are allowed to do it in a way that feels safe for you.

You are always welcome to explore London South Bank University and get a feel for student life. We have a Southwark Open Day on Saturday 21st March 2026 where you can learn more about our courses, entry requirements, and student support. If you would prefer a quicker visit, you can book a campus tour (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days) on a day that suits you and see the spaces where you would be studying. You can also chat with our current students on Unibuddy (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat) to hear their personal experiences and ask any course-related questions.

LSBU Admissions Ambassador

Any supportive uni suggestions please?

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