I feel down

Are you feeling down? Do you lack motivation? It may not be easy to acknowledge this. You are certainly not the only one experiencing this; it happens to most students at some point. You are going through an intense period in your life, and it is normal to have good and bad moments. 

What if your low mood is not going away? 

Have you been feeling unhappy for a long time and is this feeling taking over? Fortunately, there are ways to address this. The fact that you are on this page is already a good step. Here you can read about what you can do yourself and where you can go for support.

Talk about it with someone you trust 

Although it sounds like a cliché, it really does help to get things off your chest. Some people you might approach could be:

• A good friend, roommate, or family member.
• Your mentor or study advisor. The study advisor can also help you with concerns or questions about study planning, missed exams (study delay) and the BSA.
• External organizations/websites, for example:
  • All Ears offers walk-in consultation hours with student workers at the Harmony Building and at Zernike.
  • In je bol.nl (Dutch website) offers a listening ear by chat and phone, along with reliable information, experiences shared by others, and tips and tools to get started yourself.
  • Grip op je Dip (Dutch website) offers a virtual course, dip-indication test, and support by email.

Taking good care of yourself

Taking good care of yourself is especially important when you are feeling down, and it doesn't have to be complicated – small things can make a big difference.
▸Read on for practical tips.

Get started with self-help modules, tips, and training courses

At the University of Groningen, you can get started with self-help modules, workshops, and training courses to learn how to cope better with gloomy thoughts. We would also like to refer you to our page containing tips on coping with and reducing exam stress.

Get professional help

• Are you experiencing ongoing gloomy or negative thoughts? If so, you can request an intake interview with one of the psychologists at the UG Student Service Centre.

• Another possible step could be to make an appointment with your general practitioner or the GP practice nurse (POH-GGZ). The general practitioner is your first point of contact in the Dutch healthcare system. 
  • Don’t have a GP yet? Register with one in your area.
  • Are you an international student? Please visit rug.nl/healthcare.