two students pushing bikes to campus

Even before you begin your course, it’s important to think about how you’ll cope with any challenges you might experience as a student at university. You may be excited and nervous to start a new venture.

Almost everyone experiences some homesickness or anxiety at some point over the first few weeks or months and it’s completely normal to have some ups and downs. Starting a university course can bring additional challenges and we’ll be doing everything we can to support you and take account of your individual needs.

We want to encourage you to achieve your full potential but we also appreciate that as high-achieving students (yes, that’s you!) the pressure to succeed can feel overwhelming sometimes. Please don’t suffer in silence - we want you to have a positive and happy experience in HASS, so let us know if anything is worrying you. There are lots of places you can go to access help and support with your wellbeing both in our faculty and more widely at the University. This online induction will summarise what’s available, with some prompts about things you might like to think about before you start your course.

We know that sometimes it can be confusing to work out where to get answers to your questions, so here is a downloadable leaflet in English and Mandarin Chinese that summarises all the support on offer: Bilingual English/Mandarin Chinese support leaflet (PDF).


 

Meningitis - know the symptoms

Meningitis can be a life-threatening condition. The symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all. Early symptoms can include:

  • fever with cold hands and feet
  • headache ​
  • vomiting ​
  • diarrhoea ​
  • muscle pain ​
  • stomach cramps ​
  • stiff neck

Get urgent help if you think you have meningitis - call 999 and ask for the ambulance service, or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.

The MenACWY jab protects against 4 types of meningitis and it is free from the Student Health Centre/Penryn Surgery or from your doctor. It doesn’t cover all strains so do make sure you’re aware of the symptoms. 

meningitis awareness poster


Sexual health, STI testing and free condoms

Your local sexual health service has lots of help and information on sexual health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception.

Free STI testing

If you are sexually active you should test regularly, every 12 months, or when you have a new partner.​

Many STIs, including HIV, may have no obvious signs or symptoms but, if left untreated, may lead to serious and potentially life-threatening health problems, as well as infertility.​

Free and confidential STI testing, screening and home testing kits are available through Devon Sexual Health and Brook, Cornwall’s sexual health service at the links above.

Free condoms ​

STIs can be spread by unprotected sex (without a condom), and some are spread through oral sex.​

You can pick up free condoms from the Students’ Guild’s Wellbeing Cabinets at Streatham and St Luke’s and from The SU in Penryn. ​

There are lots of other places you can get free condoms, including Devon Sexual Health and Brook, Cornwall’s sexual health service (see the links above) and they are available to buy in supermarkets and pharmacies.


Last modified: Friday, 30 May 2025, 2:41 PM