HEALTH
Dropping out of university can be a stressful process, regardless of the reason you’re leaving, so it’s important to look after your physical and mental health.
Looking after your health can help you settle into a new routine, cope with challenges as they arise, and focus on your next steps.
This page has links to resources on the following topics:
Accessing healthcare
Finding healthcare services
Exercise
Mental health
Sleep
Accessing healthcare
If you registered with a GP near your university or college when you started your studies, and are planning to move away, you should register with a new GP.
You may also need to change the pharmacy where you collect prescriptions, and notify other healthcare providers such as your dentist.
The NHS website has a dedicated page for students with links to information about accessing treatment when you’re away from your registered GP, and applying for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Finding healthcare services
You can use the websites below to locate healthcare services near you, including mental health services, sexual health services, and pharmacies.
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If you joined the gym while at university or college, remember to cancel your membership so that you don’t keep paying after you’ve left.
There are lots of free activities you can do to keep fit and healthy, whether you prefer exercising at home or getting out and about.
👟 ParkRun is a weekly 5k run which takes place every weekend in over 1,000 locations around the world!
💻 The Body Coach TV is a YouTube channel with lots of home workout videos, for every level of fitness.
🧘♀️ Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel with hundreds of yoga videos to help you ‘find what feels good’.
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Just like physical health, everyone has mental health, which can be affected by lots of different factors. Your time at university or your experience of dropping out may affect your mental health, so it’s important to know that there is support available.
💙 Mind is a leading mental health charity offering information, advice, and support to make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.
🧠 Student Minds is the UK's student mental health charity. Their website has lots of expert advice and information, as well as stories from real students like you.
📞 Samaritans is a free, confidential helpline available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. You can call them on 116 123 or contact them via email. -
‘Sleep hygiene’ refers to the habits and routines that can help you get a better night’s sleep. If you’re thinking of leaving university, maintaining healthy sleep patterns can ease the stress of this life transition, boost your mood, and improve your concentration. Simple steps like keeping to a regular bedtime, limiting screen use before sleep, and creating a calm sleeping environment, can make a big difference to how you feel.
⏱️ You can find lots of relaxing playlists on Spotify, and use the sleep timer to play music while you’re drifting off.
FIND SUPPORT
More resources coming soon…
Tell us what you need to know about health and wellbeing when it comes to dropping out of university or college.