Welcome to the final instalment of "Lean into Student Life Series for students adjusting to the first term at university

It’s December and we’re guessing that as you head into the final weeks of your first term some of the academic realities are beginning to set in.

You may have faced some academic highs and lows, maybe found yourself procrastinating when things have become a little challenging, and found yourself trying to work out how to adjust to this new learning environment. And if this is the case for you, then know you are not alone. The transition to university life and all that it entails includes academic adjustment as well.

In this episode, we share five practical tips to help you navigate academic challenges, develop a positive approach to learning, and lay the foundations for long-term success.

Whether you're struggling with perfectionism, finding it hard to ask for help, or simply trying to establish good study routines, this episode offers evidence-based strategies and compassionate guidance to support you through this transitional period.

If you want to go deeper, we’ve created a special online space where you can go and review the content of this episode using the show notes which are packed with reflection questions and additional resources designed to support you on your university journey.

Gain access for free now by going to HERE

www.Successfulstudenttransitions.com/lean-in

Life in the early weeks at university can be overwhelming—so much new to learn, do, and navigate. In this episode of Successful Student Transitions, Louise and Elizabeth share five essential tips for rest and recovery during your first term at university.

Discover why:

• Rest is about so much more than just sleep
• Learn how to recognise when your body and mind are signalling the need for a break.
• Understand the seven types of rest
• Build a healthier mindset around downtime.

This episode will help you recharge your batteries and thrive through the transition. As Banksy says, "If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit."

Whether you're feeling physically drained, mentally overloaded, or emotionally overwhelmed, these practical strategies will help you rest intentionally and perform at your best.

if you want to go deeper, we’ve created a special online space where you can go and review the content of this episode using the show notes – they are packed with reflection questions and some additional resources designed to support you on your university journey. To access these free resources, go HERE

This episode of "Successful Student Transitions: A Time to Thrive" features Gabriela Santacruz a child and adolescent psychotherapist who has many years of experience in Mill Hill International School, a day and boarding school in London.

The conversation offers valuable insights for students on the move and for parents supporting them through changes.

Drawing parallels between boarding life and the university transition, it explores how both experiences shape independence, resilience, and identity, while remembering that growth often begins outside the comfort of home.

Listen as Gabriela and Elizabeth discuss:

• The emotional landscape of leaving home: missing family, friends, and familiar routines, yet learning to feel at ease in new environments.
• The vital life skills boarders develop and how these mirror the skills needed at university.
• How asking for help from peers and adults adds to emotional intelligence and interdependence.
• Learning to “own” the experience
• The major challenges boarders face and how this links with challenges at university.
• Practical advice for students and parents on building habits, self-knowledge and creating space for reflection.

Additional episodes related to this episode are:

Episode Six: Why it Helps to Ask HERE

Episode 64: Student Voices & Cultural Agility: A Framework for Thriving Cultural Transitions HERE

Episode 102: When You’re Missing Home, You’re Not Alone and Here’s How to Cope HERE

Episode 10: Supporting Parent Transitions – Empty Nests HERE

Episode 79: Caring for Yourself When You Are the One That Remains, a message for stayers in times of change and transition HERE