Having a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the key to success, so making the most of social and extracurricular activities, taking time to relax, and eating and sleeping well are just as important as your work. Using the NHS five steps to mental wellbeing, here are some of the ways we support you to get that balance both on placement, and at BU.
Connect
Take advantage of opportunities to meet new people. When you’re on placement you could help plan the team away day or an office party, or put yourself forward to work on a project or activity.
Once you’re back at BU, there are lots of opportunities to meet new people at BU, from dedicated student sport activities and skills workshops like Languages at BU, to SUBU campaigns; from supporting faculty research projects to working with others as a PAL Leader or a Student Ambassador. Speak to your Academic Adviser or Student Rep if you’re looking for new ways to meet people.
Be active
Keeping fit in body and mind helps you stay healthy. Going for walks, planning meals and establishing a good sleep routine will help you stay calm and in control. You don’t need to be a gym bunny to enjoy sport or develop a fitness programme. There are other ways to be active like music events or arts and crafts – anything that gets you out and about!
Keep learning
It’s a different kind of learning, but throughout your placement you’re developing new skills. It’s good to keep challenging yourself in your personal life too. If you want to keep your academic skills fresh, check out the study skills areas of Brightspace while you’re on placement or to prepare for your return to BU.
Give to others
This could be anything from a random act of kindness, donating some items to a food bank trolley during your weekly shop or volunteering your time to a local charity. SUBU’s Volunteering team can put you in touch with organisations looking for volunteers even while you’re on placement - your organisation might have links or a volunteering scheme. Signing up to be an Employability PAL Leader helping second year students prepare for their year is a good way of putting your new experience to good use as well as adding something extra to your CV.
Whatever you do, you’re bound to find it a rewarding experience that makes you feel good.
Be mindful
Practicing mindfulness can really help boost your resilience and wellbeing. There are loads of free websites and apps you download – we recommend Headspace – and when you’re back at BU you can book on to mindfulness workshops.
Support at BU
Whether you’re on placement, on campus or online, there’s lots of support available at BU.
Your Placement Development Advisor is a good point of contact while you’re on placement. They can offer you advice to make sure you get the most out of your time in industry as well as talk to you about wellbeing support. The wider careers team is also there to support you during your placement, with careers advice and guidance as well as lots of useful resources and skill development tools in MyCareerHub.
Our Student Wellbeing service - provided in partnership with our local NHS Foundation Trust - offers free support including drop-in sessions, individual wellbeing guidance, as well as counselling. Find out more and register online.
There’s also the SUBU Advice team, offering advice on housing, money, academic, employment and consumer matters. Qualified Advice Workers are there to listen, help identify your options and support you to find a resolution.
You might want to bookmark our placement year web pages for details of important contacts, including what to do if there is an emergency or major incident in the location of your placement.
