1. STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICE David Allman and Leila Steeds

2. The gap between expectations and experience arriving in a new academic situation can be exciting and surprising or daunting and confusing People or places that you are used to may be a long way out of reach This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, until we make friends and settle in This is a normal experience for many students Orientation or Disorientation?

3. Feelings might alternate between certainty and uncertainty when our environment changes Changes in physical, emotional or behavioural characteristics, like difficulty sleeping, might be confusing Students might feel stressed, depressed, anxious or physically unwell and resort to unhelpful behaviours to self-soothe If these feelings persist, students might then feel unable to cope with new challenges and might need to talk this through with someone Challenges in Transition

4. It may help to: Acknowledge how you feel and recognise that the feelings will most likely lessen over time Talk to someone about your feelings, perhaps someone who has had a similar experience Decide how much contact you need with family and friends to help you settle Establish a helpful work/leisure balance Give yourself time to adjust Homesickness

5. Your well being is important for you to enjoy your time here and for you to work well There are many sources of support within the college. Depending on the issue, you might seek help from Personal Tutor International Office Hall Warden Student Hub Student Counselling Service Chaplaincy Imperial College Health Centre Imperial College Union Advice Centre Disability Advisory Service English Language Support Unit Where to go for help

6. Student Counselling Service provides a place to talk through any emotional issues that you might be struggling with during your time at Imperial This is a free and confidential service for all students registered at Imperial College Check out our website at www.imperial.ak.uk/counselling for further details What is counselling?

7. You can request an appointment by: Emailing counselling@imperial.ac.uk or for Silwood Park students j.hampton@imperial.ac.uk Phoning 49637 or 020 7594 9637 Coming to our reception Room 445 4 th Floor, Sherfield Building South Kensington Campus How do I make an appointment?

8. You will be offered an initial meeting (45/50 mins) with a counsellor, who will help you talk through the issues that are affecting you Counsellors do not give advice or judge you. Counsellors are trained professionals who are experienced in listening and helping individuals to gain a new perspective on what is troubling them Counsellors encourage you to make sense of your issues so you can make your own decisions What happens in a counselling session?

9. At the initial meeting you will be able to discuss with your counsellor what might be most helpful for you. This may be counselling within the Student Counselling Service or it may be that another service would be more appropriate. We offer brief therapy and if it is decided that counselling within the service might be most useful, up to 7 further sessions can be offered As counsellors are outside of your family and work/social circle it can feel easier to talk with them about what you are finding difficult. They are only there to be useful for you Often people leave counselling feeling more confident and positive about themselves What happens in a counselling session?

10. Counselling is confidential. No outside members of staff, family or friends know what you discuss unless you want to tell them In exceptional circumstances, such as where life is in danger or someone is at risk, the counsellor may need to talk with another professional like a doctor Tutors might suggest students come to counselling, this is no reflection on you, rather tutors are aware that students often benefit from having a confidential space to talk their issues through See our website for access to our Confidentiality Policy Confidentiality

11. Who we are Leila Steeds Claire Moor Sangeeta SabharwalCatherine Perry Martyn Hutchings Rosie SummerhayesDavid Allman Maggie BackhouseAngela Fuller

12. The Disability Advisory Service The Disability Advisory Service offers confidential advice and support to ensure you have the information and assistance you need to access your studies successfully.

13. A disability is a long-term condition that has a substantial impact on your ability to study effectively, such as:  a specific learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia ADD  a mental health condition, e.g. depression, OCD  a visual, hearing or other sensory impairment  a long-term medical condition, e.g. IBS, ME, diabetes  social/communication difficulties, e.g. autistic spectrum disorder, Asperger’s syndrome  mobility or dexterity difficulties What is a disability?

14.  screening for specific learning difficulties  advice on applying for special exam arrangements  arranging longer library loans  funding options for disability-related support  access to assistive technology  study skills tutorials and study mentoring  support in arranging accommodation  getting additional evidence of disability But you have any concerns please do contact us Just a few of the things we can help with:

15. Some of the things that can cause difficulties for students with a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia. So you think you might be dyslexic

16. For more information about or services: www.imperial.ac.uk/disabilityadvisoryservice Disability Advisory Service 567c Sherfield Building South Kensington Campus Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ email: disabilities@imperial.ac.ukdisabilities@imperial.ac.uk tel: +44 (0)20 759 49755 The Disability Advisory Service works with all students

17. International Students Orientation

18. supporting spiritual and religious life

21. Atheism – Zoroastrianism

22. Chaplaincy for international students finding places of worship in London information on student faith societies at Imperial impartial advice about religious groups quiet spaces and times for meditation or prayer

23. worship, spirituality, meditation workshops opportunities to reflect on faith dialogue between faiths conversation about faith, projects or other issues Chaplaincy for international students

24. space to reflect on experiences emotions beliefs meanings

25. activities interfaith dialogues science and religion meditation workshops (Hindu, Buddhist and Christian) worship (Christian, Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh)

26. interfaith dialogue

27. resource prayer and meditation rooms meeting space for small groups information on world religions and science and religion

28. chaplains and faith advisors Buddhist Christian Hindu Jewish Muslim

29. mindfulness meditation tuesdays 13.10 open group

30. www.imperial.ac.uk/chaplaincy 11 Princes Gardens SW7 1NA