Let's talk about finding things challenging
University life brings both opportunities and challenges, and it is normal to experience times when you find your studies exciting alongside times when you might find things a little overwhelming.
As we return from the first directed study week of the year, you might be worried about money, missing home or friends, or wondering how to better understand an upcoming assessment on your course.
We can help you when you might be finding things challenging.
Managing your money
We can all experience money worries, but you don’t need to struggle alone. Our Money Advice team provide information, advice and guidance relating to your student funding and personal finances.
They can help you with budgeting, support you in accessing part-time work through Unitemps, and let you know about schemes like our partnership with Santander with £10k in grants available for students this semester.
They also look after our Student Support Fund.
Student Support Fund
The fund is available year-round and can assist with the cost of things like:
- Childcare
- Energy bills
- Food
- Rent
- Travel to university, placements or internships
- Students’ union society contributions
The Money Advice team can answer any questions you might have about accessing this support. It’s open to all, and you can apply once each academic year.
Apply for help through the fund now
Making friends
You may have felt fine back in September, but you might have become homesick or lonely in recent weeks.
There are lots of ways to make friends at LJMU as well as through your students’ union JMSU, and there is always someone to talk to as you settle into university and progress through your studies.
Chat to people in your accommodation and on your course
By chatting to other students in your student halls or on your course, you might just find out that they’ve been feeling the same way.
You can offer each other support and make plans to study, cook or socialise together, building a sense of community to make your accommodation feel more like home.
Our Student Life and Wellbeing team run also regular events within LJMU-approved accommodation - keep an eye on the noticeboards within your halls as there will be some fantastic free events coming your way throughout the year.
You can also talk to our Student Living Assistants who visit our halls every week and are there to answer any questions, concerns or queries you might have, and can signpost you to the right student support services on campus. They are usually in a blue hoodie, labelled ‘Student Living Assistant’ on the front and back, so you can’t miss them.
Try something new with JMSU
Away from your accommodation or course, there are plenty of other spaces and opportunities to make new connections.
JMSU runs a variety of student groups, whether you want to meet with fellow Harry Styles fans, join the cheerleading team, bond with others who share a love of gaming, or talk to people from other years studying the same degree, there are options for everyone. Discover JMSU’s student groups.
You could also meet new people through volunteering while giving back to our local communities. JMSU coordinate activities throughout the year, with some even on campus, and others around the city. For instance, in November and December, you can take part in bulb planting and make winter decorations using natural materials at our Wellbeing Garden just outside the John Lennon Art and Design Building – a great way to meet others and enjoy time outdoors. More about volunteering.
JMSU can even match you with another student to buddy up with if you need support in your first year. And for second years and beyond, you can volunteer your time as a buddy. Find out more about the JMSU Buddy Scheme.
Alongside all of this, JMSU runs a range of free events throughout the year, offering opportunities to explore the city, enjoy new experiences and get more from your university journey, be sure to check out their what’s on events page.
Join a weekly wellness sunset walk
Every Wednesday at 5.30pm you can join an evening walk, arranged by our Student Life and Wellbeing teams, to get you out and about at some of our most scenic city spots.
Each walk is bookable on the LJMU Move app. You don't need to be an LJMU Move member or have any previous involvement with the Sport Building to attend.
Talk to university staff
We have university staff who can help and support you if you need advice or someone to talk to, especially if your homesickness is affecting your wellbeing or mental health.
Our friendly Student Advice and Wellbeing team offers a wide range of support to all students, with face-to-face and virtual appointments and events, as well as a range of self-help resources.
Where to find the Student Advice and Wellbeing team
You will find the team in both the Student Life Building (Mount Pleasant Campus) and the James Parsons Building (City Campus). Student Advice and Wellbeing reception staff are available Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, if you need help finding the right support or want to find out more about our services. And appointments can be booked with a range of advisors in person, by telephone or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Use our online booking system to arrange your appointment.
Adjusting to university study
Students at LJMU come from all different academic backgrounds, so we provide a range of help and support at our libraries (in addition to help from your lecturers and personal tutors) to ensure you can understand and enjoy your studies.
Get support from our Academic Success team
Our Academic Success team is based in both our Mount Pleasant Campus and City Campus Libraries.
Drop-ins with our skills tutors
Our tutors hold academic skills and maths and statistics drop-ins every Monday to Thursday where you can come and ask questions about your assignment preparation and writing.
Drop-ins are great for quick queries, or for help with specific aspects of your work. You will be seen individually, and tutors can spend up to 30 minutes with you discussing your work. They will also advise on using our self-study resources or arranging a further appointment if needed.
There’s no need to book, just check the Academic Success events page for up-to-date drop-in times, plus our tutors alternate sessions between each library.
Help from PhD student peer mentors
New for the 2026/27 academic year, we have a group of experienced PhD student peer mentors who are available between 9.30am and 12.30pm every Monday to Thursday to help with Harvard referencing, study strategies, and literature searching.
Again, there’s no need to book, just check the Academic Success events page to see which library our peer support drop-in is at each day.
Please note: From 8 November 2026, our Mount Pleasant Library drop-ins will move to our temporary library space in the Pavilion right next door as we start refurbishments in the main library space. Find out more about improving your library.
Canvas courses and notifications
Our online Academic Success courses are available for you on your Canvas dashboard, offering a range of self-study resources to support you with all aspects of your studies from creating posters and presentations to planning your research and essay writing.
