London College of Fashion, UAL talks to Jane Darougar and Nafisa Alhadi, University of the Arts London (UAL) Mental Health Counsellors, about why taking a break matters, how to recognise burnout, and the wonders of walking.
Studying at university is a marathon, not a sprint. “If students have a very short period of time to produce something, they can pull out all the stops and really go for it. But if they're writing a dissertation or working on a final major project, they can't sustain that level of intensity,” says counsellor Jane Darougar from UAL Counselling, Health Advice and Chaplaincy Services.
“Nothing in nature blooms all year round,” Darougar reminds us, emphasising that people need to rest and tend to their well-being in the same way. This could include getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, and spending time with loved ones. “These foundations of good mental and physical health are super important,” she stresses.
Darougar has also noticed that students feel immense pressure to experience everything UAL has to offer. “Quite often, we see students full of regret if they haven’t taken part in every single element of university life,” she says.
She likens this to visiting a large art gallery or dining at a fancy restaurant. “When you go to an enormous gallery like Tate Modern, for example, wandering into lots of extra rooms after seeing the main exhibition might dilute the experience,” she explains.
Similarly, when dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s unlikely you would order one of everything on the menu. “You would never, ever do that — you would have one dish and really enjoy it,” she says.
The signs that creative energy is running low differ from person to person. “Some people might notice it through physical sensations, such as a racing heartbeat, frequent headaches, or trouble sleeping despite having a good routine,” says fellow counsellor Nafisa Alhadi.
“The problem isn’t necessarily that you have too much to do, but that you feel unable to cope with it,” she explains, noting that excessive stress creates an imbalance between demands and coping abilities.
"If you don’t know your own red flags, ask your family or the people you live with — they will know for sure" - Jane Darougar
Darougar adds that people may also experience a drop in tolerance. “They might start to feel extremely irritated by things that wouldn’t normally bother them, or they stop finding joy in activities they usually enjoy,” she says.
She suggests that identifying personal personal red flags is good exercise. “If you don’t know your own red flags, ask your family or the people you live with — they will know for sure,” Darougar says with a smile.
When it comes to resting, Darougar stresses the importance of setting intentions. “Sometimes you might spend an evening scrolling through social media, and that’s absolutely fine — as long as that’s what you’ve chosen to do,” she says.
Being intentional about rest can also help ease feelings of guilt. “If you’re happy with your choice, then some mindless scrolling is perfectly okay,” she explains. The problem arises when people begin to reproach themselves for it.
Alhadi agrees that scheduling rest time is a good practice. “Rest is as important as attending university,” she says. “For example, it might be important that I watch this episode of Love Island today — as silly as that may sound,” she explains. Such reminders help reinforce that you are a person outside of university.
However, it’s also important not to over-schedule rest activities, such as making plans with friends every day. Alhadi suggests setting three goals per week: one academic task (such as attending all lectures), one social connection (such as calling a friend), and one activity for enjoyment (such as painting or watching a favourite film). “If you schedule at least one of each per week, it helps maintain balance in your mental health and stress levels,” she reassures.
There are many simple ways to reduce stress in everyday life. “A huge amount of research shows that physical exercise is one of the best interventions for mild to moderate anxiety and depression,” Darougar explains. “It improves appetite, helps with sleep, and increases overall energy.”
Exercise doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. “It can be something as simple as going for a walk or a run or even dancing in your room with a bit of music,” she says.
Spending time outside is another way to reconnect with yourself. “We're very lucky in London to have so many beautiful parks, waterways, and canals,” Darougar says. “People can use these spaces mindfully — listening to birdsong instead of always stimulating their brains with music or podcasts.”
Stepping into nature doesn’t have to take up much time. “Even small pockets of time—just a few minutes here and there—can help you disconnect from stress and be present with yourself,” she explains.
If students feel they need extra support, Alhadi reassures them that UAL Counselling, Health Advice and Chaplaincy Services are there to help — even if they feel their problems aren’t big enough. “We can say, it sounds like you just need that space to talk or you might need some support with implementing some strategies, or drop in for mental health advice counselling,” she explains.
“You can tell us everything about how you're feeling. We’re trained to help you figure out what might be helpful, and that doesn’t always mean therapy — it might simply be having that conversation. You’ll have someone to help you figure out what to do next,” Alhadi reassures.