BeWell

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser 

Staff: Dr Nadia DeGama

Students: Yana Haddad, Manahil Sabir Ali, Amal Ameen

Key themes explored:

1. Anxiety vs social anxiety 
2. Sharing personal experiences of social anxiety
3. Tips for living with social anxiety
4. Support available and ways to seek help

Resources
Health, support and Wellbeing
Counselling
BeWell

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser 

Staff: Johanna Pilskog, Wellbeing Coordinator 

Student: Sophie Levine, UG Student  

Key themes explored:

1. Sharing own experiences of anxiety or anticipation
2. What to have on your ‘Checklist’
3. What to look forward to
4. Peer support and other support available

Resources
New Students
Essential Guides 
Peer Support

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser 

Co-host: Nick Edwards, Head of Student Support  
Staff: Malcolm Harvey, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations

Student: Sam Johnson, UG Student  

Key themes explored:

1. Why don’t men talk about their mental health 
2. Stigma around “men don’t cry” ‘’man up’’
3. Own experiences of sharing emotions with others
4. Importance of supportive allies 
5. How to encourage other men to talk about how they feel
6. Support available 

Resources
Counselling and Student Helpline
Student Advice and Support Team
Crisis Text Line
Samaritans

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser 

Staff: Wendy Lawrenson, Academic Skills Adviser

Student: Emily Biggar, UG Student

Student: Olivia Théorêt, PGT Student  

Key themes to explored:

1. Preparation and planning
2. Sleep on learning and stress levels 
3. Practical advice and tips 
4. Services and support available at the University

Resources
Exam Study Support 

Study Support

Disability Services

Your Wellbeing

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser  

Staff: Bex Rodger-Jones, Engagement Communication and Inclusion Officer 
Student: Elefheria Moschou, UG Student

Student: Ottilia Nummelin, 4th Year English

Key themes explored: 

1. Mental Ill-Health vs Mental Wellbeing (MH continuum)
2. What “mentally healthy” means to you 
3. Putting yourself first while saying no to others
4. Self-care and healthy coping strategies 
5. Support available at University 

Further resources:
Support & Wellbeing

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser  

Staff: Namrata Labroo, Student Counsellor 

Student: Ottilia Nummelin, UG Student

Student: Orna Hogan, UG Student

Key themes explored: 

1. Impact of social media on our wellbeing (positive and negative)
2. Pressures to portray the 'perfect' life and the ‘perfect’ body
3. Early signs of social media anxiety and how to deal with it 

Further resources:
BeWell - Your Wellbeing

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser  

Staff: Julia Leng, Careers and Employability Adviser 

Student: Nancy Jayakumar, PGT Student  

Alumni: Micaela Edhager 

Alumni: Izabella Kuna

Key themes explored: 

1. Anxiety about leaving university 
2. Pressure to find a job and be in your dream job
3. Personal experience and the journey from an Alumni  
4. How the Careers and Employability Service can help you 

Further resources:
Check out the Careers and Employability Service's graduates page to be kept up to date with opportunities available to you after you leave university.

As a graduate you still have access to appointments and our jobs board on CareerConnect, but you need to update your account and register with a personal email address. Find out more here.

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser

Staff: Josefine Bjorkqvist, Research Fellow and MHFA Network 

Student: Duncan Massey, PGT Student 

Student: Olivia Théorêt, PGT

Key themes explored: 

1.  Correlation between lifestyle choices and your wellbeing 
2.  Lifestyle choices, environment and learning ability 
3. Simple ways to make a positive lifestyle choice 

Resources can be found here. 

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
 
Host: Bekah Walker, Wellbeing Adviser 

Staff: Lesley Muirhead, Lead Student Support Adviser (Disability)

Student: Zane Suikovska (Msc Student), Sophie Levine (UG Student) 

 
Key themes explored: 

1. What is a hidden disability? 
2. The role of the sunflower lanyard 
3. Being aware and reducing stigma 
4. Life as a student with a disability 

 Further resources. 

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here. 
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)

Staff: Amanda Lee (Chair in Medical Statistics & Director IAHS)

Student: Megan Donoher (4th Year English), Benjamin Cramer (PhD in Music Composition), and Lucy Koster (PRG Student)

Key themes explored: 

1.       Imposture syndrome and who it affects

2.       Where does imposture syndrome come from

3.       Dealing with imposture syndrome and overcome it

Resources:

• BeWell
• Have you experienced "Imposter syndrome"?
• Imposter Syndrome (kateatkin.com)

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser), Anna Goldhawk (Student Adviser AUSA), Lorna Thomson (School of Education Secretary and MHFA’er), Georgia-May Drennan (English Lit and French Student) and Kaleigh Innes (Psychology and Sociology Student) 

Themes to Explore:

1. Why we sleep and how much we need 
2. Sleep and cognitive abilities 
3. Lack of sleep on physical health 
4. Sleep hygiene strategies  

Resources: 

• Mental and Physical Health
• Sleep Foundation
• Exam Study Support – Sleep and Learning Video 
• Your Sleeping Habits #can'tsleep (buzzfeed.com) – Sleep Hygiene Quiz 

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript of this episode is available online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Wendy Lawrenson (Academic Skills Adviser), Sam Johnson (3rd Year Physiology), Godlin Mathew (3rd Year Physiology), Megan Donoher (3rd Year English)

Themes to Explore:
Planning and prioritising
Distractions and procrastination
Study tips and resources
Services and support available at university

Resources:
Exam Study Support
Study Support
Mental and Physical Health

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found online here.
If you have been affected any of the issues discussed in this episode, please contact student.support@abdn.ac.uk or you can find information here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Alex Johnstone (Rowett Institute), Georgia-May Drennan (English Lit and French), Lisa-Marie Schuchardt (Master’s in Law), Kaleigh Innes (Psychology and Sociology)and Godlin Mathew (3rd Year Physiology)

Themes to Explore: 

1. Balanced diet vs crash diet 
2. Impact of diet on mental health 
3. Understanding food labels and nutritional value 
4. Eating well for less   

Resources:
Mental and Physical Health
The Eatwell Guide
Information on food labels
Helplines - Eating Disorder Helpline

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)

Guests: Bill Naphy (History Lecturer), Natalie Campbell (MA English with Creative Writing), and Tilda Nilsson (Abdn Alumni) 

Themes to Explore:

1. Why we drink alcohol  
2. The impact of alcohol on our health 
3. Social and cultural differences on alcohol consumption 

 Resources discussed can be found here. 
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

Transcript for this episode is available online here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)

 Guests: Jemma Murdoch (Lead Student Support Adviser),  Helen Balfour (4th Year Anthropology Student), Gabriella Shoemaker (1st Year Neuroscience with Psychology)

Themes to Explore:

1. Work to live or live to work 
2. Creating separation and finding the balance
3. Dealing with ‘guilt’ 
4. Importance of self-care and prioritising you

 Resources: 

• Study Support
• Student Advice and Support Office

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)
Guests: Ian Robotham (Assistant Director, Applications Management), Mauragh Scott (4th Year Anthropology and International Relations), Rian James (3rd Year Geography and International Relations)

Themes to Explore: 

1. Impact that inclusion or acceptance has on mental health
2. Perceptions of LGBTQI+ community
3. Breaking the stigma and creating a more inclusive campus
4. Advice and resources to support others

Resources:  

• AUSA LGBTQ Plus Students Forum 
• EDI page  
• Trans Students' Forum 

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this podcast further please contact Ian Robotham  (i.robotham@abdn.ac.uk) Co-Chair of the Staff and Postgraduate LGBT Network or contact AUSA LGBTQ Plus Students Forum (lgbtq.forum@abdn.ac.uk).  If you would like to report an incident you can use our online reporting tool to start a conversation with a member of staff about your situation - Report and Support.

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode is available online here. 

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)

Guests: Tim Baker (Lecturer in Scottish and Contemporary Literature), Lisa-Marie Schuchardt (Master’s in law), Kyle Greig (Aberdeen Sports Village)

Themes to Explore: 

1. Physically active lifestyle vs sedentary lifestyle  
2. Physical activity and your learning  
3. Barriers to being physically active  
4. Starting and/or staying active  

Resources Highlight: 

Home - Aberdeen Sports Village  

Mental and Physical Health | Students | The University of Aberdeen (abdn.ac.uk) 

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser) 
Guests: Abbe Brown (Dean for Student Support), Sian Wallace (Disabled Students’ Forum Committee), Bea Livesey-Stephens 
(Disabled Students’ Forum Convener)

Themes to Explore:

• Impact of blended learning on the disabled student community
• Opportunities and advantages of online learning 
• Stigma around mental ill health
• Support services and reasonable adjustments 

Resources Highlighted:

• Disabled Forum FB group 
• AUSA page 
• Disability Services 
• A summary on the EDI page

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.
Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser) 

Guests: Michael Kazibwe (PGT Student) and Marylee Anderson (University Chaplin). 

Themes to Explore:

• Why the holidays can be the most difficult time of the year 
• The impact of Covid-19 on students this festive period
• Staying connected and managing your feelings of  loneliness and isolation

 Resources Highlight 

• https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/winter-wellbeing-toolkit-4992.php 
• https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/health-3628.php#togetherall-free-online-mental-health-and-wellbeing-service 

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.

A transcript for this episode can be found online, here.

Host: Bekah Walker (Wellbeing Adviser)  

Guests: Sam May (Lecturer in Politics and International Relations), Julie  McLennan (Student Support Adviser), Michael Walker (5th Year Civil Engineering), and Nicole Blanchflower (5th Year Civil Engineering).

Themes to Explore: 
1. Overcoming lack of motivation and productivity 
2. Keeping class cohesion and social interaction 
3. Improving your study-life balance 
4. University resources for students who are stressed  

For more information on the recourses discussed in this podcast please visit our website:   https://www.abdn.ac.uk/students/support/counselling-3635.php#panel2379    

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals concerned and do not represent the views of the University of Aberdeen.