Blog: Finding human connection at UoB
Hi! I’m Alice and while I love a bit of alone time, nothing beats a gossip with my housemates at the end of a long day on campus or a random chat with a stranger at sports night. I find so much joy in connecting with people which is why I’m really excited that the theme for this year’s University Mental Health Day is ‘Human Connection’!
We all know what it’s like to go through a rough time at university, whether it’s stress over end-of-year exams, loneliness when struggling to make friends, or grief for those who are learning to navigate life without a loved one. A virtual hug from me to you for being such a warrior in these times!
For many of us, those low feelings are a part of life, but that doesn’t mean they have to define us. I’ve always found that connecting with people has been what’s got me through my darkest days and made my good days even more magical. For that reason, I want to share some ways I’ve connected with others during my time at UoB that have helped make life feel a little brighter (in the hopes they could help you feel a little brighter too!).
Joining societies
You’ve no doubt been hearing this since you started university, but I’m here to remind you that joining a society or a sports team is a gamechanger when it comes to mental health. I’ve tried all sorts of things at UoB from Gaelic football to Art Society and I’ve always loved being a part of these groups, regardless of the activity.
It’s important to me to know that, even if I don’t go to every session or training practice, the option is there if I need to get out of the house. I’ve never really ‘found my people’ through societies, but I’ve learned that many don’t and we’re all there for the same reasons: to get off our phones, do something fun, and have a chat. Sometimes human connection is just about showing up and the rest happens for you.
Calling a friend
Ironically, I’ve never been a caller. But when I was having a hard time last semester, I realised how healing it was to talk to my friends and family, not necessarily about what I was going through, but just about life! Every day I called someone whether it was calls to catch-up with friends I hadn’t seen in a while, calls with my mum and dad to hear about new tricks they were teaching the dog, or spontaneous calls with my best friend whilst walking to campus or cooking dinner. Calling people became my guaranteed pick-me-up. I now call people whenever I need to separate myself from my thoughts and it reminds me how restorative it can be to connect with the people I love.
Interactions with strangers
These are my favourite kinds of human connection! I think kindness is our biggest superpower and it’s incredible what a small act of kindness can do to your mood. Whether it’s smiling at someone in the same library elevator as me, wishing the lady at the Bramall Music café a good day when she hands me my coffee, or giving someone on my course a compliment on their outfit, small acts of kindness are always met with positivity. They can turn a dreary day into a hopeful one.
On the days where interacting with strangers feels too nerve-racking, I’ll buy my housemate some flowers or ask my course mate how their weekend was. Whatever the interaction, it reminds me that kindness goes both ways and most people are looking for that same sense of connection, it’s just a case of initiating it.
UoB Support Services
Finally, I use the services offered by the University such as Pause, UBHeard, and Wellbeing Officer meetings. They’re a chance to share what’s on my mind and feel less alone, and you don’t need to be facing a mental health emergency to use them! The people that work for these services are there to listen and chat to, so make the most of them if you’re needing an extra dose of human connection.
Obviously human connection can’t fix everything, but it definitely gives us something to hold on to. If you need extra support with your mental health, please visit the Time to Talk webpage.