Why I've Been Struggling to Settle Back in at Uni.

Two weeks ago I started my third year at university. Since I transferred last year, this was my first time not being a fresher. I thought this would make it easier to settle in but in fact I've actually been finding it really hard. There are several reasons why, and I thought I'd write about them to help me overcome them, and maybe comfort any of you who are feeling the same way!

Firstly, the work load is more immediate. While I normally wouldn't have any deadlines until week 6, my first essay this semester was due in week 2. This meant instead of having a couple of weeks for me to take it slow and start to get back into routine, I've had to get down to it pretty much immediately.

Secondly, there is a lot more pressure to do well. Third year is the one that holds the most weight, and I don't want to make any stupid mistakes. I know I'm capable of doing well, I just have to work hard to do it. This makes me stressed as I feel like I should be working whenever I take any time off, even though I know this isn't true.

Thirdly, I've been really homesick since I got back. I'm not sure why this is, maybe it's because I've spent a lot more time than usual with my mum this summer so I'm missing her more or maybe it's the lack of nerves emphasising this feeling but I can't be sure. I live with my boyfriend, so it's not even like I'm on my own! In the past, after a couple of weeks of homesickness I've start to feel better so I'm hoping that will happen again this year.

As well as this, my best uni friends are going through tough times in their personal lives. I worry about them a lot and I'm trying to be a good friend but I don't know how to help. I worry that I'm either forcing my support on them or not supporting them enough!

Finally, my flat this year is a new build and we've had various issues with administration and problems with the locks and things like that. There's nothing that will make you miss home like having to take a cold shower because there's no hot water...

The main reason for writing this post isn't for me to have a moan though! It's to make any of you who are facing similar problems at the moment. So here's what I've been doing to help settle down:

• Talk about it!! I've been sharing with my boyfriend and my friends how I've been feeling and they've been really great at comforting me and giving me advice on how to get myself out of a rut.
• Calling home. I don't miss my mum so much when I can have a good long chat on the phone.
• Create a set routine work-wise. If you have a preplanned rota for when to do what it makes it easier to force yourself to actually do it, plus you'll feel much more productive!
• Make manageable 'to do' lists. If you follow my Instagram (@klarablogs) you'll see I often share these on my stories! It helps me organise my week and I feel like I've achieved something  each time I complete one.
• Finally, make time for something fun at least once a week. Then you have things to look forward to, and it'll help you relax which actually makes you more productive in the long run.

All that being said, if you are feeling REALLY overwhelmed and these tips aren't helping there are TONNES of resources available. Don't suffer in silence! Contact your GP, your uni's student support services, charities such as Mind or Samaritans or if you feel like it DM me on instagram! I'm always happy to talk.

Let's Talk About Mental Health

Something I have been seeing more and more of on social media is a positive movement to get people talking about their mental health. I wanted to jump aboard this train, because it is so so so important and I know it is something I always struggle with. I hate feeling like I'm bothering people with my problems, or I can't explain why exactly I'm feeling down or I feel like the reason is too stupid. I wanted to share some tips for those of you who are like me that aren't the usual 'exercise, talk to your GP, be honest with those you love most' (although those are brilliant tips too).

1. Keep a diary. I find it is helpful to write down how I've been feeling, what I've found stressful and how I combatted that stress. This means that I can make connections between life events and emotions and hopefully overcome problems more easily in the future by remembering how I dealt with them in the past. It also doesn't involve other people so you can keep it a bit private without unhealthily bottling up your emotions.
2. Do things that are good for your mental health, but don't use that as an excuse to procrastinate. Taking a bath when you are stressed can be a good idea, but not if you're putting off a time sensitive task (like an essay or report your boss wants by tomorrow morning).
3. Junk food can make you feel better on occasion, but don't allow yourself to have so much that your physical health suffers. It's true that physical and mental health are extremely closely linked.
4. Even if you're very tired or very awake, try to keep your sleep schedule as regular as possible. You'll thank me later.
5. It's okay to cut people out of your life who are toxic to you, no matter who they are.
6. PUT. YOURSELF. FIRST. WHEN. YOU. NEED. TO. Don't ever feel like anything is more important than how you are feeling.
7. And remember, there are plenty of resources available to you. I won't copy in any specifics, but search for them online or ask your doctor.

What Happened When I Gained Weight

This is a post I have wanted to do for a while but I was worried about it being seen as controversial. I would by no means call myself 'fat' (a nasty word anyway). I am a healthy weight, my BMI is well within the limits of what it should be. Despite this. I look at photos from this time 2 years ago and I am sad because I was tiny. I was recovering from glandular fever and I was very unhealthy and a bit underweight. However, girls used to tell me how jealous they were of my body, and men would comment on my photos to say that I looked beautiful. I still get these, but not as often. I went from being a size 8/10 to a 10/12. No big deal right? But magazines will point to celebrities who are size 12 and call them 'fat' or 'ballooning'. I often get frustrated with myself for not fitting into my old clothes or having the energy to exercise 24/7 or the willpower to eat no more than 5 calories a day. 

But although my self esteem sometimes gets the best of me, I know that I am much healthier now. I have more energy, I don't get headaches or bouts of nausea. I can eat a decent sized meal when I go out for dinner. I do a better amount of exercise, and I am eating less rubbish and more healthy meals every day.

Mum tells me my weight will probably go down again soon, when I am at home and can afford healthy meals rather than just ready meals like at uni. But if not, I still feel much better than I did and that's what matters.

5 Things to Love About Yoga

I have recently started doing yoga with my mum and I have really been enjoying it. It's great for so many reasons, so I thought I'd share some of those with you.

• It keeps you fit. Just 10 minutes of yoga a day can massively improve your fitness, and you work on a range of muscles or one specific problem area if you'd prefer as different positions work different areas. You will look toned in no time!

• It helps reduce stress. The meditation aspect in particular clears your mind but even the exercises themselves reduce tension in the body and require a lot of focus so you can forget about stressful events. This makes it especially good to do during exam season or when you have a big project due at work or uni.

• It can help you sleep. Not only does the reduced stress have a positive effect on your sleep schedule, but regular exercise is also proven to do the same. There are specific sequences available for free online that are supposed to be extra good for sleep so if this is something you're interested in that may be worth checking out! I guess exercise before bed can be a good way to wear yourself out too haha.

• It will improve flexibility, balance and other useful talents. For people like me who can't even touch their toes, this is a really good thing and for everyone else it can be a great improvement for other reasons.

• It will help you lose weight. Not only will you burn calories, but it also speeds up your metabolism so that you can eat more cake and stay skinnier! That's what I like to do (although cake isn't great for you anyway, sadly).

On top of all this it can be a great social activity if you join a club, or a free one if like me you prefer to just do yoga at home!