SUPPORT AND WELLBEING
Your mental health and productivity matters to us all.
Mental Wellbeing Tools
Take a Moment for Yourself
Training Courses can be demanding. Use these tools to check in with yourself, manage stress, and reset your focus.
Productivity & Focus
Study Smarter, Not Harder
Balancing work and study requires discipline. Use these tools to structure your learning sessions and reflect on your progress.
Prioritising Your Mental Health
At Abacus, we believe that your wellbeing is just as important as your academic success. Completing a course is a rewarding journey, but balancing work, study, and life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You are not alone in this.
Recognising the Signs
Stress affects everyone differently. It’s important to recognise when you might need to take a step back. Common signs include feeling constantly tired, struggling to concentrate, feeling irritable, or changes in your sleep patterns. If you notice these signs, it’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a signal from your body that you need to pause.
Quick-Read Guides
Managing Exam Stress
Feeling nervous before an assessment is normal, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Here are three steps to regain control:
- Preparation is Key: Break your revision into small, manageable chunks. Use the Pomodoro technique to stay focused without burning out.
- Visualise Success: Spend 5 minutes imagining yourself calmly answering questions. This primes your brain for confidence.
- Breathe: If panic hits, use the 4-4-4 breathing method (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4) to calm your nervous system immediately.
Communicating with your Tutor
Open communication with your tutor is crucial for your success. If you’re struggling, here’s how to start the conversation:
- Be Specific: Instead of saying “I’m stressed,” try “I’m finding the workload for the studying challenging this week.”
- Ask for What You Need: Do you need more time, more explanation, or just a listening ear? Be clear about how they can help.
- Schedule Regular Check-ins: Don’t wait for a crisis. Regular updates help build a relationship where sharing problems feels natural.
Balancing Work and Study
Juggling a job and a training course is a skill in itself. Master it with these tips:
- Protect Your Training Time: Your planned training hours are an important requirement. Block time out in your calendar and treat it as a non-negotiable commitment.
- Switch Off: When study time is over, close the books. Your brain needs rest to consolidate learning.
- Communicate with Your Tutor: Keep your tutor updated on your progress. They can only support you if they know what you’re working on.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
Feel like you don’t belong? You’re not alone. 70% of people feel like an “imposter” at some point.
- Fact Check Your Feelings: You chose to study for a reason. Look at your feedback and achievements—these are the facts, fear is just a feeling.
- Talk About It: You’ll be surprised how many of your peers feel the same way. Sharing takes the power away from the fear.
- Focus on Growth: You are a committed student—you are supposed to be learning. Not knowing everything yet is simply part of the journey to self-improvement.
Top Tip: The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique
If you feel anxious, try this grounding exercise: Acknowledge 5 things you see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This helps bring your focus back to the present moment.
Physical Wellbeing
Your physical health has a direct impact on your mental state. Simple changes can make a big difference:
Sleep Routine
Aim for 7-9 hours. Avoid screens 1 hour before bed.
Hydration & Diet
Limit caffeine after 2pm. Drink plenty of water to stay sharp.
Financial Wellbeing
Money worries can be a significant source of stress. As a student, you are entitled to various discounts and support mechanisms.
Student Discounts: Students are entitled to various discounts on goods and services. Ask fellow students if they know of and can recommend the best deals.
Budgeting: Use free apps to track your spending. If you’re struggling, speak confidentially to anybody who may be able to help.
Managing Work-Life Balance
It's vital to separate your study time, work time, and personal time.
Set Boundaries
Turn off notifications as and when you feel that you need a break. Protect your downtime.
Plan Ahead
Use your calendar to block out and plan out some relaxation time away from studying for lessons.
Communicate
If coursework load is too high, talk to your Tutor and share your concerns at an early stage.