To celebrate the upcoming launch of Epigeum’s new support and wellbeing course Pressure Points, our Advisory Board member Nic Streatfield reflects on the benefits of the programme in complementing university initiatives for healthy and happy campuses.

Nic is Director of Student Life & Wellbeing at University of York.

Studying at university is a time of opportunity, and an experience which carries both excitement and challenges. Learning always requires that ‘stretch;’ taking the student from the comfort of what they do know to the discomfort of what they do not know.

You may find it hard to remember that at some point a long time ago you were unable to tie your own shoelaces; in fact you didn’t even know that this was a skill which you lacked! However, practice and expert guidance helped you work at the task, manage your frustration and eventually master the skill effortlessly. So much so that tying your own shoelaces is now easier than explaining how to tie shoelaces!

I use this small example as the same process applies to all types of new learning, especially that which students encounter at university. The difference is the amount of pressure that students may put on themselves.

At universities, students have access to study skills teams, library support and digital skills teams who help them develop new academic skills and make the ‘stretch’. Residential teams equally support students with the social learning ‘stretch’ that comes from living with others. Additionally, universities recognise now more than ever that there are times when the pressures of university life require more specialist non-academic support and provide a broad range of professional support services, such as wellbeing services, disability support teams, money advice teams etc. For some students it is entirely appropriate to seek this professional support but others prefer, initially at least, to talk to those around them who they feel comfortable with such as friends and families.

This is where Epigeum’s new course, Pressure Points comes in. It is a psycho-educational programme written by leading experts specifically for university students (and those supporting students) to help ‘stretch’ their learning on how to better manage what are often normal human responses to challenging situations. The course aims to complement in-person initiatives from support and wellbeing teams on campus and creates a baseline for those seeking support.

In any new environment it is difficult to avoid feeling stressed occasionally. Deadlines, presentations, and exams all invoke feelings of anxiety. The pressure of expecting university to be the ‘best time of your life’ can be a burden for students; it is important to remember that feeling low or sad is part of the fluctuations of life. Pressure Points provides modules on how to manage these feelings through context setting, reflective activities, and practical interventions. It provides room to reflect on how and why one feels low and offers interactive content to help students recognise their own internal resources, who they can speak to, and suggests evidence informed activities to help them cope. The course is online, flexible and can be completed at the user’s own pace, offering self-guided learning to help students with challenges faced during the learning ‘stretch’ of university study and life.

Of course, anxiety and depression are medical conditions and can be debilitating. The course recognises that serious mental distress can arise from the pressures of university life and that some students can employ negative and risky coping strategies. Two of the modules address these serious concerns enabling students (and those supporting students) to reflect on how they feel and take positive actions, as well as helping them learn how and when to seek professional support. University specific and national support resources are embedded throughout the course, with further options for institutional customisation for signposting available throughout the course.

To conclude, navigating university life is more complicated and challenging than learning to tie shoelaces but, as then, we all need advice, guidance and to know we have support throughout the process.

Find out more about Epigeum’s new course Pressure Points, and how it can help your institution implement student support initiatives by visiting the course’s website page today!

Find out more about Pressure Points