My name is Abigail Mathew, and I am a psychology student at Keele University. I remember how daunting and scary the first few weeks of university felt, especially adjusting to a new environment and making new friends.

Moving out to university was a significant change for me as I had never left home and my family and friends before, and it felt lonely at times, especially during the winter months.

I joined the U-Belong project to help new students access support and raise awareness of loneliness among university students.

I am excited to develop and learn new skills and work within a research team. 

LinkedIn

Hi, I’m Alyssia! I am an upcoming second-year student at the University of Edinburgh, majoring in English Literature. I volunteered as a Toolkit Assistant because I am naturally drawn to studying individuals and their social interactions. Helping people find a sense of belonging is rooted in the human need for social connection, and this psychological setting alone gives me faith that anyone can attain a meaningful social life at university.

LinkedIn

My name is Anyi Zhang, and I am a first-year Educational Sociology student at Durham University. I am passionate about social change, education reform, and student mental health and have excelled in several related courses. Through my involvement in the U-Belong Project, I have gained invaluable experience in academic output and teamwork.

Having spent five years in boarding school stressed out about finding acquaintances to spend lunch breaks with due to social pressure, I felt relieved when I first joined university, where I finally had the opportunity to have time for myself during mealtimes. The aftermath of being bullied in my first year and being the first East Asian committee member in the psychology society at Exeter led me to think about the importance of representation and a sense of belonging at university. I am excited to contribute to U-Belong, where I can guide battling loneliness with research and lived experiences.

I am Duru, a second-year neuroscience student at King’s College London who is passionate about mental health.

As an international student, adapting to university life was challenging. This motivated me to connect with others and work on improving student well-being. Through U-Belong, I collaborated with students from different universities, sharpened my research skills, and gained insight into academia.

Aspiring to become a researcher, I’ve acquired valuable experience in mental health research and am dedicated to supporting fellow students in their academic journey.

LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Hanna. I enjoy learning about humans and their stories of the past. Coming to university, my great passion for humanity clashed with a student's difficulties in the present. U-Belong has provided me with a platform to share my experience, and I find great joy in knowing it might help someone else.

LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Husaam, and I am studying Cyber Security at the University of Warwick. The U-Belong project is significant, and it's great to be involved in developing resources that will benefit so many people. It can be tricky to adjust to university life and manage relationships, which is why this campaign is vital. Joining the U-Belong project has allowed me to collaborate with many other passionate students to help future generations of university students. I am excited to see how our work can help make the university experience more inclusive and tackle loneliness.

LinkedIn

Hi, I’m Jay! I study Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford. I love getting involved with research, which first led me to sign up for the U-Belong research team. The resources created by students for students acknowledge that there’s not just one reason why a person may feel lonely at university.

Before starting university, I was worried about feeling isolated and not making friends, especially moving far from home to a place where I didn’t know anyone. I would have benefited greatly from having something like the U-Belong toolkits before going, so I’m excited that future and current students will have this support available!

I’m Jess, a psychology student at King’s College London. I’m excited to contribute to the U-Belong campaign and share my personal experiences positively and meaningfully. Belonging and well-being are closely intertwined, so exploring belonging in greater depth is essential.

My name is K. Lin, and I study literature. My interest in U-Belong was piqued when they sent me a survey in 2023—as someone navigating through a difficult time, I was touched by the compassion at the core of the project's cause. As a student researcher and art/graphics contributor, I hope to positively aid the project's interaction with students and help it reach a wider audience. As someone interested in academia, I'm also excited to further my research skills on this journey.

Hi everyone, I’m Kaneezah—a second-year Neuroscience student at the University of Westminster. I also work with children and young adults, helping them to grow, develop & strive! I joined U-Belong to bring my knowledge and diversity into a research project I’m already passionate about. I was particularly interested in combating low mood and stress, and as a student myself in 2024, I understand the importance of combating hardships and struggles. With my fellow student research assistants, I created a guidance page with helpful resources, tips and reassurance to help every student no matter what they’re going through. I have built strong skills in project management, teamwork, literature, and peer reviews. I hope to use these valuable research skills in my work one day.

LinkedIn

Hello! I’m Kirsten, a medical student at King’s. As a first-generation medical student, I’m passionate about levelling the playing field for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups pursuing higher education.

Seeing the impact of mental health on young and older adults alike, I have fostered a passion for destigmatising mental health that has fuelled my desire to join the U-Belong project. I am honoured to contribute to U-Belong's mission to improve belonging and reduce loneliness at university by sharing my experiences to help fellow students.

LinkedIn

My name is Laura. I am a first-year psychology student studying online at the University of Derby. For a couple of years, I have been volunteering for various mental health charities and decided to make it my full-time career to help others, so I started my degree! The U-Belong project is a fantastic idea for helping those starting university. It can be incredibly daunting, and it’s difficult to remember to look after your well-being when focusing on academics. Hopefully, this project can offer some support to anyone who needs it!

My name is Laurain Sheila. I joined U-Belong to share my ideas and experiences on the loneliness page. I'd love to see people have different ways to deal with loneliness. It doesn't have to be talking to people to overcome your loneliness, especially if you are an introvert. People can find what they love to do and what gives them joy and reasons to be happy, and they will not even notice they are lonely. I'm so glad to share my ideas and collaborate with other university students to make this a success. I'd be happy to see many students try to implement ways to overcome their loneliness.

Hello! I am Pranavi. I will be starting my second year at King’s this year. As an international student, my first year was about grappling with the challenges of being alone and adjusting to this new life. Psychology has always intrigued me, reflecting my passion for mental health and making a difference in the community. Being a part of the U-Belong project seemed like the ideal opportunity to tap into my interests and gain skills that will be helpful.

LinkedIn

I’m Rida, a psychology student at the University of Exeter. I have always been fascinated by the way people think and their behaviour. This led me to be interested in mental health early in life.

I know how common it is for young adults to feel lonely and out of place. My experience as an international student has made me realise how challenging it can be to navigate a new culture and environment. U-Belong was an excellent opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to promote belonging. Participating in a research project where I could build something positive while honing my research skills is a privilege.

LinkedIn

I'm Ro, a second-year psychology student. 

I enjoy learning about mental health and exploring new ways to enhance our resources to help everyone improve their well-being. This project was a great way to have our students' voices heard and consider lived experiences alongside expertise and knowledge. 

I am so grateful to have contributed to this research and have learned valuable research skills which will help me become more involved in academia.

I am Ruichen, a psychology student at the University of Exeter interested in mental health. My university experience made me realise the crucial role of belonging in wellbeing, and I feel incredibly honoured to be involved in this meaningful campaign. Working as a Student Research Assistant at U-Belong has been an enriching experience and an excellent opportunity to develop my research skills. Being part of such an insightful and supportive team has been enlightening, and I look forward to continuously developing my skills and knowledge in my future studies.

LinkedIn

Hello! I’m Sabiha, and I am currently studying Medicine at King’s College London. As a person of colour and being from an ethnic minority myself, I found it very difficult to navigate the university environment. I am excited to have had the opportunity to contribute to the U-Belong project and hopefully help others have an easier time as they enter and settle into uni life. I have a significant interest in the diversification of medicine and want to make sure that the voices of ethnic minorities are heard and understood. I believe that this project is an essential step in that direction.

I look forward to contributing further and seeing how this project supports young people like me.

My name is Sadiyah, and I am a second-year Psychology Student at the City University of London.

 As a dedicated psychology student passionate about clinical psychology, I joined the U-Belong research team to refine and expand my research skills. My primary goal is to contribute to developing practical guidance for university students struggling with loneliness. Through this experience, I aim to deepen my understanding of the psychological challenges faced by students and explore practical interventions. My involvement in this research reflects my commitment to meaningfully impacting mental health support within the academic community, driven by a desire to foster a more inclusive and supportive university environment.

LinkedIn

Hi, I am Syirah, and I am a Psychology graduate from Coventry University.

My experience as an international student has motivated me to make the most of the opportunities in the UK. As a result, my involvement in multiple volunteering roles, such as volunteering with the NHS, local museums, and online reading groups, has strongly influenced my drive to participate in the U-Belong research.

The aims of U-Belong truly reflect my values of creating a better environment for international students who may struggle with belonging and well-being.

My role as a psychology student has provided me with research foundations and allowed me to improve my research and transferable skills.

LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Trupal. I'm currently pursuing a degree in psychology with clinical psychology at the University of Plymouth. My journey into this field stems from a deep fascination with the human mind and a desire to understand the complexities of mental health. This passion led me to join the U-Belong project, where I delve into the intricate issue of loneliness, which can affect even the most socially active individuals.

Through my role as a student research assistant, I have had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Working closely with a dedicated team and participating in insightful Zoom discussions have been advantageous aspects of my journey. I am committed to leveraging my skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the mental health field and help alleviate loneliness in our society.

Hello, I’m Vee. I study Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham and work with multiple research projects regarding student mental health. I love research, and from personal experience, I have developed a sense of advocacy towards students suffering from mental health issues, loneliness, a lack of belonging, and the many challenges faced by students from marginalised groups. I’ve worked closely with U-Belong for the past year and thoroughly enjoyed working on this guidance page.  I struggle a lot with communicating with people and socialising, so I hope that our guide helps at least one person.

LinkedIn