Newbie 101: Mental health tips to be chill with change

The first weeks, or even the first year, of university can be exhausting in ways you didn’t expect. You’re meeting new people, trying to keep up academically while figuring out who you are in a completely new environment. As an upperclassman who has already experienced this transition, I’ve learned that when many changes happen at once, stress can quietly build in the background. 

Stepping into university life triggers big mental and emotional changes that can affect your mental well-being. This transition often brings heightened anxiety, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Many students experience “imposter syndrome”, questioning whether they belong or can handle academic demands. The combination of leaving familiar support systems, adapting to new learning methods, and managing independent living can create a perfect storm of emotional challenges. 

Experiencing these feelings is understandable, and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Small steps can help you stay chill with change and care for your mental health at university. 

Recognising these feelings as common experiences rather than personal failures is crucial for maintaining mental health during this transition period. Acknowledging and accepting that difficult emotions are normal is often the very first step toward adapting more effectively to a new situation. 

Social media can sometimes make this transition feel a bit harder. Scrolling through polished “first day of uni” recap videos and highlight reels, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing everyone else is thriving effortlessly. These filtered snapshots create an illusion that we should already have our lives figured out, when in reality, we’re only just beginning. During my first year, much to my surprise, many of the friends who seemed confident were actually just as confused as I was. It was comforting to know I wasn’t alone in my thoughts.

Building resilience doesn’t mean becoming immune to stress or handling every challenge perfectly. Instead, it’s about developing the ability to recover, adapt, and keep going when things don’t go as planned. Resilience grows over time through small, consistent actions rather than sudden breakthroughs. 

Start by establishing a consistent routine that includes regular sleep patterns, balanced meals, and dedicated self-care time; these foundations significantly impact your ability to handle stress. Also, create a support network and maintain open communication by connecting with fellow students, joining university clubs, and familiarising yourself with campus mental health resources such as Wellbeing support, which offers free and confidential services to support your diverse wellbeing needs and concerns (including mental health, emotional wellbeing, safety, etc.).

Remember: You don’t need to be in crisis to work with Wellbeing! 

Another way to feel more at ease with change is by shifting how you think about challenges. One helpful thinking tip I learned from Dr Hugh Willbourn in the Client Management course is to pay attention to the metaphors you use to describe your situation. When we constantly frame unexpected university experiences as “worst-case scenarios,” stress and fear tend to take over. Instead, viewing challenges as opportunities for personal development and resilience building can create a more balanced perspective and improve your mental health. 

Moments like receiving a lower-than-expected grade or not immediately finding your social group can feel devastating, especially when it seems like everyone else has already settled in. However, these experiences are far more common and temporary than they appear. 

Progress often shows up in small, quiet ways. Celebrating small victories, such as finding your way around campus, attending classes consistently, or completing your first assignment, helps build confidence over time. Journaling or reflecting on your experiences can also be useful, as it allows you to track growth and recognise coping strategies that work for you. 

Adapting to university life is a gradual process, not a race to the finish line. Many students who now appear confident and successful once stood in the same place, feeling unsure, overwhelmed, and uncertain about what came next. By practicing self-compassion, using available support systems, and recognising that struggle is a natural part of growth, you can build the emotional resilience needed not only for university but for future life transitions.

Story: Tram Hoang, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam.