If the saying “healthy body, healthy mind” is to be believed, the stereotypical student lifestyle is perhaps not the most conducive to maximising learning potential.

While rejected by some, drunken antics, a sleep pattern which can be described as inconsistent at best and a poor diet, mean that for others a bout of flu is never far away.

To help students adjust to the move away from home, the University has been running HealthyU for the last five years, dishing out advice, sexual health testing or cheap exercise classes to hundreds of students.

The first term saw roadshows at halls, and now HealthyU Week offers a timely reminder of the importance of looking after yourself as a month of revision looms on the horizon.

Ahead of this year’s HealthyU Week, Exchange caught up with Bethan Davies, a PhD student at the University’s Institute of Mental Health, to find out why it is so important for students to take advantage of the support offered by the University.

“I am a PhD student wherein my research is focusing on university students’ mental health and emotional well-being.,” said Bethan.

“As both a student and a researcher, I’m aware of how important it is for students to stay healthy while at university. Entering and being at university can be challenging; we often have to juggle academic, social, employment and leisurely demands.

“If our health and well-being is affected at all, such as falling ill or experiencing emotional distress, then it can also affect how we cope with our academic workload and our other demands. It’s important to consider our health and well-being while at university; we don’t have mum to nag us, so it’s our responsibility to look after ourselves! Being healthy — both in the body and mind — is important as our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and actions are often influenced by one another.

“Students face numerous challenges in keeping healthy. Many of us are on a budget and money is tight — we might not be able have a healthy diet or to go to the gym every day.

“With cheap fast-food joints and drinks offers, it can be difficult to avoid having frequent takeaways or to get carried away with alcohol. I’ve found joining the University swimming club helpful in providing me with frequent exercise. Having gym membership also means that some of the sport centre’s exercise classes are free, and the University’s Any Body Club also provides affordable exercise opportunities for students.

“HealthyU helps increase awareness of what opportunities are available to students and provides advice and information — both in person and online — about how to improve and maintain your health and well-being.

“The HealthyU roadshows and events are great in helping signpost students to relevant resources for their health and well-being, such as university counselling. It can help reduce barriers that might otherwise hinder students from taking care of their health — such as the C-Card scheme which provides free condoms to under-25s.

“Healthy U is a great initiative in promoting both physical and psychological well-being — and I hope it continues to help students!”

This year’s HealthyU Week takes place at University Park from 26 to 30 November and at Sutton Bonington from 3 to 7 December. To find out about the range of exercise classes, talks and information fairs taking place throughout the week, visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/healthyu.