{"id":180774,"date":"2025-08-18T16:19:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=180774"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:53","slug":"zo-ga-je-om-met-je-gezondheid-tijdens-je-studietijd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/08\/18\/zo-ga-je-om-met-je-gezondheid-tijdens-je-studietijd\/","title":{"rendered":"How to take care of your health during your student years"},"content":{"rendered":"

More freedom, more stress, more responsibility, more parties, more choices. You are increasingly in charge of your own physical and mental health. That learning process can be a bumpy ride, one that hopefully leaves you with nothing more than a small bruise. Read our tips and take care of yourself.<\/p>\n

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Oh, your student years \u2013 they could well be the best years of your life. But that picture isn\u2019t entirely accurate. National research shows<\/a> that 44 percent of students struggle with depression and anxiety. 56 percent say they experience a great deal of stress. According to research at Erasmus University<\/a>, more than half of students (58 percent) have mild feelings of loneliness, and almost 21 percent severe loneliness. The pressure of your studies and those \u2018best years\u2019 take their toll. Fortunately, there is support and advice to help you look after both your mental and physical health while at university.<\/p>\n

Help is never far away<\/h2>

It\u2019s wise to register with a GP quickly, as there is a shortage of doctors in the region and many practices have waiting lists or are closed to new patients. You can look for a GP via this website<\/a>. Jans Huisartsen in Kralingen<\/a> works with Erasmus University and also accepts international students from the university. For international students in particular, it can take some getting used to that a Dutch GP often says: \u201cTake a paracetamol and some rest, and call back if the symptoms persist.\u201d Still, it\u2019s always better to call, ask questions and make an appointment if necessary. That is what your GP is there for.<\/p>\n

You can also seek help at the university, especially for mental health issues. Feeling stuck? Not feeling great for a while? Talking helps. The university employs psychologists to support students<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to arrange a consultation, either online or on campus Woudestein. These psychologists are there specifically for mild psychological, social or emotional problems. Thoughts such as \u201cother people have it worse\u201d, \u201cI shouldn\u2019t complain\u201d or \u201cit will pass\u201d are unnecessary. Just make the appointment. Again: that is what these people are there for.<\/p>\n\n\t

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