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The psychological challenges faced by MSc students: a presentation on what lies ahead with tips for coping Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service. Aims. To look at common challenges involved in starting university

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Aims

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  1. The psychological challenges faced by MSc students: a presentation on what lies ahead with tips for coping Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service

  2. Aims • To look at common challenges involved in starting university • To examine practical activities for dealing with the stress of transition • To explore the types of difficulties experienced by many students • To review stress management skills • To be aware of sources of advice

  3. Introduction • What are the common challenges involved in starting university?

  4. Challenges of starting University There are two tasks involved in starting at university: • leaving familiar things, people and places, • adapting to new things, people and places. • Transition is associated with excitement and anxiety • Challenge of new academic work • Meeting new people. • Loss of the familiar – home, friends, family, places, routine • What about feeling homesick?

  5. Feeling Homesick • Can be part of the natural grieving reaction associated with change • Is extremely common • Most common in first few days or weeks after arriving • Can occur at the time of leaving home, but also later, such as after Christmas break.

  6. Homesickness may be associated with • distance from home • sense of anticlimax • high initial expectations • work overload and low control over it • contrast in lifestyle • time needed to adapt to changed culture, language and lifestyle

  7. Initial impressions • Why did you choose to study at LSE • What are your initial impressions • Academic • Social • Cultural

  8. Settling in Tips - I • Talk to someone. • Make contacts and friends through shared activities such as societies and clubs. • Keep contact with people from home, but also give yourself time to begin to get involved here • Remember that many others will be feeling the same • Remember that you are also allowed to enjoy yourself - it isn't being disloyal to those you miss!

  9. Settling in Tips – II • Be realistic about what to expect from student life and from yourself. Try to balance work and leisure. • Give yourself time to adjust: you don't have to get everything right straight away. • Remember to get enough food and sleep • Most people come through times of homesickness and go on to do well and enjoy their time at university. • If work is difficult, look at your study skills and time management (see Teaching and Learning Centre)

  10. Sources of advice and help • Tutor or Departmental Tutor • Student Services Centre • Student Union and Advice Centre • Medical Centre • Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor • Teaching and Learning Centre • Deans Don't wait until problems have grown impossibly large!

  11. Common student difficulties • Ambivalence about leaving home and family • Cultural isolation • Settling down in a new peer group • Dilemmas about relationships and identity • Financial difficulties • Ambivalent relationship to study • Feeling under pressure to do everything right • Having to sort out your whole life in 1 year

  12. Learning issues • Transition to different level of study • Sustained pressure of a 1 year course • Finding academic support • Divergent tutor/ student expectations • Adjusting to self-directed learning • Sustaining momentum over the year • Coping with the academic cycle • Making decisions - future career, possible PhD study, jobs, home, peer group, relationships …

  13. Student learning dynamics • Trying to please others • Wanting to be clever • Wanting to achieve as highly as others • Trying to be a perfectionist • Envy and competitiveness • Trying to keep the family together • Setting yourself impossible targets • Fearing disaster all the way through • Succeeding at the last moment (brilliantly)

  14. Student Pressures • What pressures are you under as a MSc student coming to LSE • From others • From yourself • Are these pressures realistic or excessive?

  15. Dynamics of study

  16. Coping Strategies • Use stress management techniques • Physical, cognitive, behavioural • Practising switching off, particularly through physical activity and leisure pursuits • Good self care – especially sleep, diet, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine • Allow yourself time out for a temporary release of stress • Good time management • Revise study skills • Setting realistic goals, celebrate achievements • Create and use support networks

  17. LSE Student Counselling Service • Free and confidential • Available to any current student • Mainly offers short term counselling • Appointments need to be booked in advance • Drop-in Service • We are located in the Teaching and Learning Centre, KSW 5.07, 20 Kingsway, Floor 5

  18. LSE Student Counselling Service • Website has information about the Service • Confidentiality Policy • Stress management handout • Links to self help resources on a wide range of student issues, including study –related and personal difficulties • Wed 11.12.13: Presentation for MSc students on Reviewing Progress and anticipating the next stage

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