Interviewing a Student

- annonymous stressed student from NTU

28th January 2015

After speaking to two staff members from the wellbeing sectors of NTU, I now wanted to interview a student, so that I could compare all their opinions. I chose to speak to a student who has had a stressful experience and subsequently used one of the health facilities at NTU. I wanted to find out what prompted them to approach the university services, and what they thought of the help provided. I also wanted to find out what the student finds helpful for de-stressing and what they think of the current spaces provided on campus.

Which of the wellbeing services have you used at university?

N: Just the counselling services.

Me: Ok, and when was the last time you used the counselling services?

N: Last week.

How long did you notice that you were feeling stressed/unhappy before you decided to contact the university?

N: It’s something I always realised, to do with anxiety and work-related stress, amongst other stuff. But because it’s my final year, I thought “well, I need to get this undergo pretty quickly so I can manage it a lot easier”.

Me: So it’s kind of an ongoing, small problem…?

N: Kind of, yeah. I think because this is final year, there’s so much pressure and I put a lot of pressure on myself which doesn’t help. It was in first term that I realised “you need to get yourself together”.

So do you think it’s mainly due to work load? Or is it a combination of different things as well that caused you to feel that way?

N: It’s a combination of different things as well, but definitely work-related.

Was the fact it’s your final year, the main reason you chose to contact the counselling team?

N: Possibly, yeah. And the fact that it’s free. That’s such a good thing to have, because counselling is so expensive outside of uni, and I thought “Well, there’s no harm in trying it, if it doesn’t work out I don’t have to do it again. And if it does, the services are free and will hopefully benefit me”.

Was it helpful for you? How did it make you feel once you left?

N: It’s always heavy, but that’s the point of it I think. You’re processing a lot of stuff. It is quite intense, but for me, even though I don’t particularly enjoy the sessions, afterwards when I’ve reflected back in hindsight, it’s a wonderful thing. You feel so much better afterwards, and it’s a heathy thing to do because you’re processing, and the person that you’re with isn’t judging. It’s a safe environment for you to just ‘offload’ instead of just complaining to your boyfriend, your parents or your friends, because it’s someone outside of your personal life.

Do you think you felt better because of the advice you were given or simply because you could offload that stress by talking to someone?

N: Definitely a bit of both. Obviously the counsellors are trained professionally so the advice they give is solid, good stuff. Stuff that I hadn’t even considered, so it’s useful.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), how stressful do you find university?

N: Like, 50! (Laughs) I’d say 8 out of 10 possibly. I don’t think this term has helped at all regarding our course because it’s been a mess. But, yeah, I’d say about 8.

Ok. What do you try and find time to do, when you can manage any free time, in order to minimise stress levels? What works for you?

N: Breathing exercises helps a lot.

Me: So, almost meditation-based?

N: Yeah, like yoga, going to the gym… The gym helps me so much because that is totally separate to university work. So, headphones in, thinking about completely different stuff, and just working off frustration and energy that’s built-up.

NTU have been providing a ‘Puppy Room’ during exam periods in order to relieve stress from students and help them do better… What do you think of this?

N: I hate dogs (laughs) so, it doesn’t benefit me at all. And to be honest, even though I love cats, if it were a ‘kitten room’ for example, I wouldn’t go.

Me: So you don’t think it’s beneficial at all?

N: No, I can understand why some students might really like it, but I think if I were genuinely dealing with a lot of stress relating to my work, the last thing I would need would be a puppy jumping on me. Even if it was cute, or whatever, no… for me, personally, I wouldn’t use it.

Ok, so you have experienced meditation, taking time out to breathe, etc. So, do you think this is generally something that helps everyone?

N: It definitely helps me. I think something like meditation and breathing exercises, you have to be engaged on a personal level otherwise it’s just not going to do anything for you. If you don’t know how to do it, again, you’re not going to reap the benefits from it. So I think if you’re taught or done some research yourself, and you can do it in a proper way, then I think the benefits are huge, definitely. But you HAVE to be engaged.

What do you think of the ‘chill out’/socialising spaces provided at university?

N: To be honest, I can’t think of any of them in particular…

Me: The SU, for example?

N: I’ve never been in the SU, it reminds me of Hollyoaks. I think it’s great for first years, because it gives a real sort of campus vibe, but I’m really not interested, personally.

Me: It’s not really a relaxing environment, is it?

N: No, you’ve got flashing lights and stuff, colourful furniture, and it’s just not my thing! Not even for socialising.

Do you think NTU provide enough relaxing spaces for students? Like what you described before, somewhere that you can just sit alone and be still and quiet…

N: No, the only place I find really relaxing are the counselling rooms. But that’s because they’re really quiet, they’re a nice environment, and its sole purpose for that hour at least, is with the counsellor and it’s just a safe space to relax.

If there were a new building created, especially dedicated to de-stressing students, what would you like to see provided?

N: I don’t know… Possibly places like meditation classes or yoga classes? Not somewhere with booming club music and flashing lights, just more on the soothing side. More personal, intimate areas, a bit more closed off. Not so open plan possibly, something like that.

What kind of building would you expect to see this new ‘breathing space’ to be provided in? I.e. a church conversion, modern new-build, historic building, etc.?

N: I think with something like a church building, you’d have to consider the acoustics, and different religions as well, definitely. I envisage it in a new building, I think.

If you could choose one thing, what could you absolutely not live without to keep you calm?

N: Oh, to keep me calm…? My dad! I know that sounds ridiculous, but I think my dad, yeah.

Me: Is that because it’s someone you can rely on?

N: Yeah, definitely. I work myself up a lot, and my dad just brings my back down to earth. So, a figure that calms you down I guess. In terms of like, an object, I wouldn’t be able to think of anything.

My interview with the student lasted approximately 10mins on this occasion. The student wished to be kept anonymous, but consented to having the full transcript published online.

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