Feeling down? That will be the 'second term blues'

The second term at uni is often the hardest. Here are some tips to make it through the blues
Sad woman wearing pyjamas sitting on bed
When the 'second term blues' hit it can be tempting to stay in bed all day. Here are some tips for students. Photograph: Alamy

If you returned to university this January with a sense of dread then don't worry, you're not alone. You're probably experiencing the phenomenon of "second term blues", characterised by feelings of lethargy and depression with no identifiable cause.

In 2010, the University of Leicester conducted a three-year study of 40 undergraduates who were given video cameras and told to submit five minutes of footage every week. Many of these students reported an increase in anxiety over the winter break and before returning to university.

The University of Derby has outlined some of the factors behind second term blues, which range from homesickness to debt to exam stress. But even though there might be obvious causes for second term blues, Lauren Neal, a third year University College London student, says: "You still feel that you don't really have anything specific to complain about."

Going home for the winter holidays after the hectic excitement of first term is difficult. It means leaving behind friendships that are still new and uncertain and returning to the embraces of your friends from home.

There can be a sense of realisation that your first term friends aren't the people for you and a sense of worry that you might return in a few weeks to isolation.

Olivia Renney, a second year student at University College Dublin says: "First term is when you meet all these people who you think are going to be your best friends. Second term is when you realise that you can't stand them."

Added to the sense of friendlessness is the fear felt by some students about impending exams or January deadlines. For many, this will be the first university examination, so it's normal to question whether you can make the leap from A-levels to university level.

For others it may be that second term is when you receive your first term results which, because of the change from school to university, may not be as high as expected.

The underlying feeling of second term blues is disappointment. Neal says: "I think second term is when it hits home that your whole school life has been geared to getting into university and then you think, well now I'm here, and now what?"

The weather is awful, it's dark, you may be in debt or heading that way and all the fun of first term has been replaced by the drudgery of lectures, seminars and coursework. Tegan Murray, a third year student at Bristol University says: "I really struggled with second term blues in first year, I missed my friends and considered just returning home."

As someone who dealt with second term blues, I sympathise. Knowing that you're not alone can be a big help though and it's definitely worth speaking to your friends and family if you start feeling down.

Many universities also offer free counselling and support groups which are worth looking into. It's easy to think that general gloom doesn't merit therapy, but it does.

Depression can affect all aspects of your life from your work to your friendships. University counsellors will have spoken to hundreds of students before you who felt the same way and will be best placed to advise you.

Some students choose to speak to their personal tutors or lecturers. Your department or faculty is likely to also have a staff member whose role involves looking after student welfare and they can be a great place to start.

Another way to combat the blues is to join a new club or society. Freshers' Week might be long gone, but you can still shake things up and have fun. Join a group you might never have considered. You'll meet new people, separate from those you already know in your halls and on your course and the club's events will add some excitement to your daily routine.

Finally, consider a healthier, more responsible lifestyle. Try and exercise, get some sleep, eat more fruit and veg and stick to a budget. Admittedly that's easier said than done but looking after your physical health, and your finances, will go some way to beating the blues.

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