What to tell parents of students going to University

University is one of the most special times in our children’s lives and it’s important that our children are supported to explore the variety of experiences that are on offer. While a level of stress and anxiety may be normal for some, parents can help by normalising these responses and by also easing some of the core concerns. Nido Living research shows that affordability, making friends and balancing studying and socialising are the top worries, which are heightened for international students.

Parents can reassure their children on these points and also help to inform them about simple ways to support their mental health from nourishing well, hydrating, moving, sleeping well, connecting with others and putting in good boundaries for their time when it comes to studying, exercising, socialising and prioritising rest.

Normalising conversations about mental health and wellbeing before they go is also a great way to broach the subject of transition to university. This can be as simple as holding space for them and asking how they are feeling about this new stage in their life? Any conversations are best had when there is plenty of time and no distractions. A drive or walk can be a great time to do this. Most importantly, let them know that you are there to listen to them no matter what and that there will also be a strong support system at their new residence. Validating their emotions and concerns is an important part of this process. 

At Nido there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with both the university, and local surrounding community. Parents could also encourage their children to become a wellbeing champion in their new residence, hosting or attending a walk and talk session or even hosting a movie night or dinner where everyone brings a dish or snack. You could start a suggestion box for events and other ideas, get involved with volunteering in the local community or even organise a buddy system to check in on each other.

Getting ready for the first year can be notoriously daunting for both parents and new college students. There is an infinite amount of paperwork to present, sign and have approved. The list goes on and on, especially for those who are planning on studying abroad. This situation can put a strain on the mental health of those who are involved in the process, and it can take an even greater toll on the prospective students.

On top of this all, the uncertainty of not knowing exactly how the campus layout is, its connections to the public transportation network of the city and finding yourself in the process of finding a place to live, can be an anxiety inducing factor. All these problems will, of course, be solved with time and most certainly once the academic year starts students will get used to all these new scenarios. However, tackling them with time in advance will prevent further risk to our mental health. 

Residences and Flex Living centres such as Nido Living can be a part of the solution to the stress and anxiety of becoming a university student. To begin with, Nido offers full refund if, in the end, the student was not accepted at the university or if their visa is cancelled. 

Nido has also worked hard to ensure a seamless booking and onboarding journey which minimises the amount of admin and paperwork required, relieving this stress from the outset.

Also, amenities such as laundry rooms and services like parking spaces or weekly room clean-ups will ease the load of “adult tasks” one receives once they start living on their own. All of these activities and tasks are also available to look at on the Nido app, which helps organise and provide information on everything a student might need. 

Other services such as gyms become very handy to stay on the budget and it saves the trouble of searching for them. Lastly, parents are also to benefit from these types of accommodations since they can be sure their children are in a safe space near to their children’s study centers or at least, well connected to them. Thus, making the transition from teenager to young adult smoother.

There are some simple ways to be alert to any signs that a student may be struggling with their mental health. 

Perhaps they are being more snappy than usual. This may indicate possible overwhelm. You may observe them taking on more and more yet struggling to keep up.

Cancelling plans or avoiding making plans is a particular concern if it is out of character for them.

Kindness wall at Nido Living development.

If they are talking about themselves more harshly than usual such as being critical or putting themselves down than this might be a sign that they are not doing so well. This may relate to criticising their appearance or abilities, such as performance on exams or feeling inadequate or even stupid.

Any changes in their social media habits could be a red flag. For example, they may be posting more or less than usual, the content posted might have changed. Perhaps they have started writing worrying content or are being overly critical and out of character. Or perhaps they have suddenly stopped posting after being a regular content creator.

Finally, if there is an increase in alcohol or substance use, this may signal that they are using it as a means to cope. A particular sign could include alcohol use that is different than usual such as drinking alone or at different times of the day.

Being aware of the tell-tale signs of struggle means you will be more alert to them. For students being away from home, often for the first time and many overseas, friendships are crucial. So, it’s important to know the warning signs, recognise them and ask them if they’re ok and let them know you’re there for them. Taking a non-judgemental stance is also important too. This, in itself, might be all that’s needed for someone to cope better and if not, it’s the first step towards getting help or recognising that they are struggling themselves and finding longer term solutions.

At Nido we work to support and empower students over their own wellbeing, recognising preventative ways of managing emotional health. Nido also has a central wellbeing hub with a toolkit and resources that all students have free access to.  There are plenty of wellbeing guidelines from tips on coping with common anxieties, to keeping healthy mentally and physically and even how to approach a friend you’re worried about.

Happy, healthy students sleep better, concentrate better and therefore study better. It’s a reciprocal relationship.  It’s important to practice everything in moderation. Just 15 minutes or so to yourself can be beneficial for mental health in between studying. Perhaps engage in solitary activities for set periods of time such as playing an instrument, reading a book, painting nails or having a soothing bath. These act as a great reset for students who need a short break. By planning in time for study but also time for yourself (as well as social time), it will be much easier to keep on top of a healthy work/life balance. 

Also, don’t forget that studying itself can be social. Whilst there are quiet spaces for solo study, there are also plenty of co-working spaces in our Nido communities for that very reason. Perhaps buddies can set themselves bursts of studying time and have something to look forward to together for the set/agreed break times such as a walk, a game or something to eat. Making sure you take time to rest and connect is crucial for good emotional health and effective study. We can be shamed into thinking that we should continually push ourselves to the limit with study and focus, when actually a balance is key. 

Wellbeing is at the core of Nido's brand and we are continuously checking in with our students both formally via our surveys and informally on the ground with our friendly resident teams to ascertain any concerns and other feedback as well as offering advice and signposting where to go for guidance and help. It's crucial as a responsible provider of student accommodation that our student communities, and their parents know we are at the forefront of this.