HELP: All right?

Whatever your problems, from fresher flu to financial crisis, make sure you talk about it - sooner rather than later

You could be forgiven, after perusing student literature and websites, for expecting one tipsy rollercoaster ride of fresher fun. At the risk of sounding like a killjoy, you'd do well to ignore the fake bravado sloshing around at the start of a university or college year and be aware of some inevitable hurdles.

You are leaving the structures of school, work, family life and friends to jostle among maybe tens of thousands of strangers in a vast institution. You may have more money in the bank than ever before, but with no idea how thinly it must be spread over the year. Or you've plummeted from top dog at school to a university or college also-ran, or been out of academic life so long you're scared you won't make the grade. From being spoon-fed at work or school, you'll have no lecture until three in the afternoon, no deadline until November.

"It's an awfully big swap from the familiar to the unfamiliar," says Robin Dollery, head of Nottingham University's counselling service. "Some students are overwhelmed. Their anxiety might come out as homesickness, physical illness or even depression." No one is going to tell you not to drink, take a few risks, work or play all night. But a little mental or financial homework could oil the wheels of your transition to a new way of life. "Give yourself permission not to have a wonderful time straightaway," Dollery says.

It's not surprising that when your new best friends are encountered in such a chaotic manner – first lecture, standing next to you in a queue – relationships will be sorely tested. "It's an understated problem that you leave a supportive, close-knit group of friends but you don't have another one to replace them. We're all social animals, so give yourself time to miss them, or feel homesick," Dollery says.

First port of call for most students with problems will be a tutor – either academic or linked to a hall of residence. You should automatically have a one-to-one with them shortly into your first term. Seek out your students union representative if you'd prefer to speak to a peer. For course problems, departmental secretaries can be useful, as they tend to know which strings to pull. Tutors may refer you to the counselling service or you can approach these directly – most universities and colleges have about four full-time counsellors. Some, such as Nottingham, provide a study support centre where academic staff help with issues such as essay writing, time management and learning difficulties. Many will give advice on money management, tenancy and other legal issues. Most universities and colleges have a chaplaincy.

From this broad net designed to rescue any student asking for help, staff can guide you, if necessary, to specialist non-university or college-based support networks: rape crisis centres or drug dependency clinics, for instance.

Why then, is the mental health of the student population giving increasing cause for concern? Suicides, breakdowns and mental problems are on the rise among students according to the latest statistics from the Association of University and College Counselling. Professionals admit there's a stigma to seeking help in the first place, while some students simply don't know how to get it.

The National Union of Students says: "Take just five minutes to familiarise yourself at the start of term with where you could go for help – a health centre or welfare people. Anybody can go and speak to a students union representative if they don't want to approach someone more senior." All this information is available on university or college websites, so why not find out about it before you're thrown in at the deep end?

Many students' problems predate university or college: depression, eating disorders or family upsets – even dyslexia – and they ignore rather than confront them; whereas at university or college they've got more access to professional help than ever before.

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

For most students, money will be the greatest source of angst. "It's useful to sit down and work out beforehand exactly what your income and outgoings will be," advises Professor Claire Callender of South Bank University, author of major government-funded research into student debt. Most universities and colleges offer some sort of financial advice, but often students receive it too late when they've reached a crisis. "A student loan looks like a lot of money, but after rent, bills and food, it's not enough unless you have parental support," says an NUS spokesman.

With banks tripping over themselves to lend money, students may be tempted to take the expensive option of borrowing on credit cards and overdrafts. Some are forced to. Most students do some kind of paid work and some universities and colleges devote staff to helping students find jobs, but recommend sticking to around 15 hours a week. Here are some tips:

Work out before you go to university or college what you need to spend each week on food, books, rent etc, and how far your money will stretch. Take advantage of university or college experts – most institutions offer advice on money management. The NUS provides a leaflet outlining money management hints. Don't wait until crisis point before seeking work. All universities and colleges offer a hardship fund for students in real difficulties. Research all forms of corporate sponsorship, charitable grants etc. Look at: www.scholarship-search.org.uk

EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS

Beyond the entirely usual social paranoia that haunts a high-octane first term, lurk more serious problems. Newer universities and colleges tend to be bigger and more impersonal; students face more frequent exams, and rising numbers mean many have to fend for themselves in private lodgings.

Mature students are better at asking for help than school leavers, and nearly twice as many female students use counselling than their male counterparts, according the Association of University and College Counsellors.

Expect from your counselling service a confidential one-to-one talk which is non-judgemental and can look at issues as varied as lack of confidence, exam stress, alcohol and drugs problems or relationship difficulties.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

"Fresher flu" will probably be your greatest health risk, as unfamiliar germs are swapped in the campus chaos – and there's not much you can do about it. Sexual health is high on the list of concerns and plenty of leaflets give advice. Many students get caught out by stress, usually around the onset of exams.

Most universities and colleges make it easy to register with a GP and some offer in-house health practices. If you haven't, don't worry, as you can see a doctor as a local resident.

MATURE STUDENTS

"Some of our mature students have complicated problems relating to families or previous employment," says Dr Peter Byrd, head of counselling at Warwick University. Contrary to expectations, many mature students mix well, but coming from structured work environments, mature students can suffer the same classic problems as school leavers: time management. "We say aim for a 36-hour week but don't over do it," says Dr Byrd. "Many mature students worry they're not working hard enough."

Campus institutions aren't for everyone. Michael Butler, 33, left Nottingham for the Open University after growing disappointed with the quality of lectures and support for mature students. "My experience was poor. I believe the institute may be well suited to the younger student, but not someone of my age."

COURSE PROBLEMS

Remember it's in a university or college's best interests to have motivated students, so if you are unhappy with your course, tell your tutor – the sooner, the better. Counselling services see many students with course worries, and quotas permitting, most institutions will give you either the chance to start afresh the next year or to switch mid-course if you haven't missed too much. "Most universities give you a second chance, but what you can't do is try to switch to more popular courses, say law, if you haven't got the A-levels for it," Dr Byrd says.

'I GOT SO MUCH SUPPORT'

Mireille Hebing
Mireille Hebing, 34, studied sociology as a mature student at South Bank University. She graduated with a First after having a baby before her final year and is now doing a PhD.

I told the course director really early on that I was pregnant. I've never been in a worse state, but I didn't feel I need counselling, I knew it would pass with time. I didn't want to take time out – some parents do defer a year. I managed to accommodate my timetable and deferred work until the summer. I was self-funded until I had Luc – I received money from the hardship fund at South Bank and used my savings for child-care. When Luc was eight weeks, I went back to study – I'd had a job as well as studying, now I had to be organised in a different way. I've been so tired in my last year, I could have cried. But other students gave me so much support: babysitting, trips to the library. My supervisor was brilliant – she really helped me with confidence. Three years ago, if you'd told me I'd have a baby and be doing a PhD, I'd have laughed.

'EVENTUALLY I MADE FRIENDS'

Sarah Brooke
Sarah Brooke went straight from school to study biological sciences at Reading. She lived at home during her degree.

I worked out it would cost £4,000 a year to live out – just 10 minutes from home. It was partly that my mum was ill, partly the idea of moving out was a little scary.

But I hated the first term, I wanted to leave. I turned up in the first week and everybody already knew each other – they'd all been in halls drinking together and making friends. I used to drive there and eat my lunch in the car. I joined two clubs but they were no good for socialising. You miss out on so much if you're not in halls – the funny little things that just happen. It never occurred to me to talk to someone – what could they say? It helped because all my school friends were still around. It was easier to go out with them than get off my arse and do something more scary with people I didn't know. My mum had to coerce me in going to a university ball.

Eventually I made friends through my course – it all got so much better after the first term. If I did it again, I definitely wouldn't live at home.

'I MADE MISTAKES WITH MY MONEY'

Alice McNabb
Alice, an English graduate at Reading University, received a donation from the university hardship fund after running up debt on overdraft and credit cards on top of her student loan.

When you first get your loan, it's like free money, but even if you dig yourself into a small hole, it's hard to get out. I've been overdrawn since the first year. I had credit card companies threatening to take me to court, I made mistakes like taking out store cards and I had mobile phone bills to pay. I took a job and worked about four days a week.

My course was affected badly. I dropped out of university to work for two semesters and tried to catch up the best I could – I just had to do the bare minimum. I was a regular in the financial office; the union told me to get another job, my tutor advised me to take a year out. Banks sent through information on managing money along with the loan but otherwise it wasn't thrust in your face. In my final year I received £500 from the hardship fund.

FURTHER INFORMATION

* All universities will have details of welfare services and financial advice on their websites

* www.studentcounselling.org: comprehensive information on what to expect from counselling plus many links to specialist help organisations and university welfare contacts.

* www.nusonline.co.uk: National Union of Students website

* www.studentsurvivalguide.co.uk

* Samaritans helpline: 0345 909090