How to manage the stress of entering university with Political uncertainty

Managing stress of starting uni while living in an uncertain world

Ivana Domozetska

Whether you’re a fresher or a third year, a new year of university is daunting for everyone - especially when it feels like the whole world is lopsided right now. But don’t let this constant stream of negative news put you down (which is easier said than done): here are a few tips to help with some of the stress.

In the current climate, it’s really easy to feel helpless with very little control of what’s happening. Combat this by taking control – get involved in a society. The university has a wide range, and you can pick as many as you like. There’s a great selection of politically involved groups that organise protests that you can read more about here. This will help you feel as if you’re taking back your power even if it feels small any contribution makes a difference.

Another tip to stop the feeling of helplessness is taking some time to educate yourself. A key measure to prevent the slow descent to fascism is education. The news is fast and scary, but there are many different sources to learning new information about current affairs and conflicts outside of the news. With access to the University library, you can find physical books or online articles from expert researchers. There’s a range of feminist literature, research into colonialism and just about any topic available to you at the library.

Jeet Chatterjee, 22, former student and head of Marxist society, explained: “We as students understand that education is important but, in this case, education means more than lectures.

"We need to learn how this world moves, what forces are at play and how it changes. We need to learn from each other, band together into organised groups and to learn from our mistakes.

"There is a catharsis to speaking truth to power and we must learn that we can all attain that catharsis and much more when we work together.”

If extra studying isn’t something you’re looking to do, why don’t you go for a mindful walk around the city and check out local organisations that are here to help others? Portsmouth is a lively community where you can discover all sorts of groups and charities that raise money for good causes. Local charities like Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and HIVE for any volunteering opportunities and upcoming events that you can get involved in to raise money for different causes.

You can try channelling frustration into something positive and creating something.

Here’s some final words of wisdom from Jeet: “Understand that this too shall pass. This should be a reminder that hope exists. When we watch Gazans affirm they will not leave their land even under the most brutal terror the world has seen we can have hope that we will win. That if we put in the work we will win, if we dare to struggle we will dare to win.”