Looking after your mental wellbeing: Keep learning

Keep learning

To mark the third week of our new campaign to help our students take steps to achieve and maintain good mental wellbeing we are looking at step three – keep learning.

The campaign, which is based on the NHS’s 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing, is exploring ideas and things to try which may make you feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life and your studies.

Keep Learning

As students, you should be learning new things all the time (hopefully!) but it is important to think about learning outside of your academic course as well.

Have you ever wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, get some cooking skills under your belt or figure out how to fix your bike? Now is the time!

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that learning throughout your life can improve and maintain mental wellbeing. Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and often brings with it an increase in confidence. It can give you a sense of satisfaction, optimism and the feeling that you are making the most of your time.

You don’t need to sign up to a course or class to keep learning, particularly if money is a bit tight.

University of Liverpool undergraduate student Nikita tried out learning to sew. Find out how she got on by watching her video here >

Try something new like…

  • Reading a new book you wouldn’t normally – Our libraries are jam-packed with awesome books, both fiction and non-fiction. If you need some help why not ask one of our super helpful library staff for a recommendation. Check out this article for other ideas.
  • Pick a recipe and try your hand at cooking a new dish – If you’re a cookery novice don’t worry! All you have to do is follow the instructions in the recipe. Start with something simple and build up to more complex recipes once you get the hang of it.
  • Visit one of the city’s world class galleries and museums – They are a mine of information and you can learn a lot, particularly about periods in history. Check out National Museums Liverpool and our very own Victoria Gallery & Museum which is open Monday – Saturday. All Liverpool’s museums and galleries are FREE ENTRY.
  • Fix your broken bike – fixing things can be extremely rewarding and you will definitely learn a thing or two along the way. If you don’t know where to start check out video tutorials on platforms like YouTube for a helping hand.
  • Upcycle your old and tired belongings – There are tonnes of video tutorials online about upcycling, so find something which you think would benefit from a facelift and give it a go!
  • Try out volunteering with Liverpool Guild of Students – there are loads of volunteering opportunities which will give you a raft of new skills. It is a great way to learn something new and make some new friends.

Over the next few weeks we will be encouraging all students to try out the NHS’s Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing. Keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as our Student News pages for ideas around how you can get involved.

How to get support if you need it

If at any time during your studies you feel you might benefit from some extra support, we are here to help.

We offer a wellbeing drop-in between 11am-3pm every weekday in the Alsop Building for practical and pastoral support in a confidential space. You don’t need to book – simply come along to the Student Welfare Advice and Guidance Information Point on the ground floor of the Alsop Building (on University Square).

Services available for our students include:

 

 

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