Moving to the UK is exciting, and it can also be lonelier and more tiring than most students expect. On our Study Abroad with Piyush channel, Indian students talk openly about cold weather, long commutes, money stress and missing home. None of this means something is wrong with you. Many of these feelings ease with time, and the UK has free and confidential support for students. This guide explains what winter is really like, how to deal with loneliness, how to register with a GP and where to get help, using NHS and university guidance. It is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor.
- As per the NHS at the time of writing, you can use 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option if you need urgent help
- Call 999 or go to A&E if a life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe
- Registering with a GP in England is free.
Why Can UK Student Life Feel Harder Than Expected?
Several pressures arrive together: a new education system, money worries, unfamiliar food and accents, shorter days, and the pressure of family expectations. UKCISA says culture shock is normal and usually temporary. If difficult feelings do not ease, it advises contacting your university or students' union instead of coping alone.
In our videos, students describe very ordinary problems. Two students at the University of Roehampton, two months into their course, say the trip to class from where they live takes two hours or more, and that a newcomer without spare money or company rarely gets out to explore. A student at Coventry University's London campus says tasks fill his days, and he advises others to put their mental health first. UKCISA notes that views on mental health here may differ from those at home, so do not assume you must handle everything alone.
What Are UK Winters Actually Like for Indian Students?
The biggest surprises are usually the cold, the rain and the short days. A student in our video names the cold first when asked about surprises, and wears gloves and a warm cap. Plan warm clothes, a daily routine and time outdoors in daylight before the weather turns.
- Get outside in daylight every day, even for a short walk between classes
- Keep a regular time for sleeping and waking, because irregular class days can upset your routine
- Exercise regularly, and look at your university's sports facilities and clubs
- Avoid screens just before bed and heavy drinking, as the NHS advises for winter low mood
- Vitamin D: the NHS says everyone should consider a daily 10 microgram supplement in autumn and winter, and people of South Asian background should consider it all year; ask a pharmacist or GP if unsure
What Should You Do If Winter Low Mood Does Not Lift?
See a GP if you think you might have seasonal affective disorder, which the NHS describes as depression that happens in winter and goes away in summer. Symptoms can include low mood, losing interest in things you enjoy, poor concentration, extra tiredness and sleeping or eating more than usual.
The NHS lists talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants as treatments, and says light therapy is not usually available on the NHS. It advises checking with a GP before you try a light box. A GP is the right person to decide what suits you, so do not diagnose yourself from a website. Feeling low for a few days is common. Feeling low for weeks, or finding it hard to manage daily life, is a good reason to book an appointment. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, use the urgent help routes further down this page.
How Can You Deal With Loneliness as an International Student?
The NHS says loneliness is common, nothing to be embarrassed about, and can pass. It suggests keeping in touch with people, joining a group that matches your interests, doing things you enjoy, and sharing how you feel. Comparing yourself with others on social media can make it worse.
- Join one society in your first month, even if you go alone the first time
- Fix a regular call time with family, without letting it replace meeting people here
- Invite a classmate for a walk or a cooking night; a shared meal can be easier than a party
- Look for free or low-cost local events, and consider volunteering
- Talk to a tutor or friend if you notice you are avoiding people
In our video from Edinburgh, students at Heriot-Watt University say going out with friends and walking around the city helps when they miss their families. It is a simple habit, and it works best when it is regular. Do not wait until you feel ready: making friends usually comes after you start turning up.
Who Can You Talk to at Your University?
Start with your university's wellbeing, counselling or student support service. If you do not know where to go, ask the international office or your academic tutor. UKCISA says university counselling is confidential and your family will not be told, which worries many Indian students. Peer listening services are another option.
Services vary by university. The University of Edinburgh offers free counselling to current students, including international students, in person or by video call, phone or email. The University of Glasgow lists confidential counselling, a free confidential helpline and a student-led Peer Wellbeing Support service. Search your university's name with the word wellbeing to find yours. Student Space, run by Student Minds, also has advice on mental health, money and settling into university, with a tool to find support at your own university. UKCISA also lists Nightline among the other organisations that can help.
UK Immigration Health Surcharge: Student Cost and How to PayRead →How Do You Register With a GP in the UK?
Register soon after you arrive, before you need one. The NHS says everyone in England can register for free, and you do not need ID, proof of address, proof of immigration status or an NHS number. You give your name, date of birth and address, plus an emergency contact.
A GP is usually your first stop for physical and mental health. GOV.UK says that once you have paid the immigration health surcharge, you can use the NHS free of charge from the date your visa starts, although you still pay for some services such as prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. Some universities have their own health service: the University of Edinburgh's offers full GP services if you live within its practice area. The process can differ slightly outside England, so ask your university which practice to use if you study in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Can You Get NHS Therapy Without Seeing a GP First?
For anxiety and depression, the NHS says you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies if you are registered with a GP and aged 18 or over, or 16 in some areas. You do not need a diagnosis. Local availability varies, and a GP can tell you what is available nearby.
Talking therapies can include guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling, in person, by phone, by video or online. Availability depends on your area, so you can also ask your university's service if you would like support sooner. You do not have to wait until things feel serious before you ask.
Where Can You Get Urgent Help for Your Mental Health?
If you need urgent help, use 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option, or ask a GP for an urgent appointment. Call 999 or go to A&E if someone's life is at risk or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.
| Situation | What the NHS says to do |
|---|---|
| Life at risk, or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe | Call 999 or go to A&E now |
| You need urgent help but it is not an emergency | Use 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option |
| You want to talk to someone in confidence | Call Samaritans on 116 123 |
| You want an appointment soon | Ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment |
The NHS says a mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. In Scotland, UKCISA lists NHS 24 on 111, where you choose the mental health option. The NHS says A&E staff should treat you with respect and look after your immediate physical and mental health needs.
How Do Money and Job Worries Affect Your Wellbeing?
Money stress is a recurring worry in our student interviews. Students repeatedly advise arriving with savings rather than relying on a part-time job, because finding shifts can take months, especially in winter. A realistic budget before you travel removes a large part of the pressure later on.
Your university may have hardship funds and money advisers, and it is worth asking early. Check your work limit too: UKCISA says degree-level students can work up to 20 hours a week in term time. If you are offered cash-in-hand work or a job with a fee attached, get advice first, because these offers can put you at risk.
UK Student Work Rules: How Many Hours Can You Work?Read →What If You Need Time Away From Your Course?
Talk to your tutor and your university's student adviser before you stop attending. Sponsors must report some changes to the Home Office, so a break can affect your visa. UKCISA says you should stay in contact, and your university can explain the options, including any effect on your visa, before you decide.
The University of Edinburgh's immigration page says an absence of more than 60 days affects a student's immigration status, and that UKVI does not take the reason into account, even for serious illness. Other universities may handle this differently, so ask your own adviser. Please do not let visa fears stop you from getting help: seeing a GP or a counsellor is a separate matter from taking time away from your course.