Feeling at home

Finding it hard to settle in

Thinking of leaving?

You may not have settled in yet or the University experience might not be what you expected. If you're struggling, there are lots of support and advice available and things you can do to help yourself.

• Talk to someone

  You're not alone and although you might not feel like it, talking to someone you feel comfortable with can help when you are struggling. It might be a friend from home, your personal tutor or a counsellor on our 24/7 helpline.

• Look after yourself

  This can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you are sleeping in a new room or if you're not used to cooking for yourself. Our Student Wellbeing service can help. From lifestyle clinics to yoga sessions, they can help you stay healthy at University.

• Get involved

  There are a range of activities to help you settle in and make friends.

Still thinking of leaving?

Before you make a decision, it's important that you know your options to make the right choice.

• Take a break

  Consider taking a break rather than leaving your course. This is called an interruption - you temporarily leave University for up to two years to focus on your situation and decide about your future. Leaving your studies is called a withdrawal - you leave University completely and don't return to your course.

• Talk to your course team

  If you are thinking of interrupting your studies or withdrawing from your course, speak to your course leader or personal tutor. Talk about how you're feeling and they can help you with your options and the support available to you. You can consider options such as potentially transferring your course or studying part-time.

• Complete the right paperwork

  If you decide to interrupt or withdraw, your course leader or personal tutor will provide you with the correct form to confirm your decision with the University.

• Speak to a financial advisor

  There may be student funding implications of interrupting or withdrawing. Advisors are available to advise you in Student and Library Services or the Students' Union Student Support service.

• Contact your accommodation provider

  If you are staying in University accommodation you need to let them know if you are withdrawing or interrupting your studies. Contact accommodation@tees.ac.uk and they can advise you what happens next. If you are staying in private accommodation, you should check your lease agreement and speak to your landlord to find out what charges you may be liable for when you leave. You can get independent advice about private accommodation from the Students' Union.

• Studying on a visa?

  Contact our international advisors at international@tees.ac.uk to find out the visa implications of interrupting or withdrawing from your studies.

If you're unsure where to start or need help getting in touch with any of the services, contact us on studentjourney@tees.ac.uk. If in doubt, seek us out.

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Finding your way

On campus

It's easy to walk around our Middlesbrough campus. Check out our virtual campus tour which shows you around and points out the buildings.

You can also view our campus map to help you find your way.

To your classroom

You can access your timetable on MyTU. Your timetable has details on the times, dates and locations of your teaching sessions.

The room location detailed in your timetable follows the format of building prefix, floor level, room number. They are linked together:

The building name code consists of one, two or three letters. These letters are the first letters of the building name or letters associated with that building. You can find the building room code on the campus map, but if you are still unsure, use the room finder tool.

Please note, ground level is defined as 0 (or sometimes G), above ground level rooms are positive numbers and below ground level rooms are negative numbers.

Top tip

During Welcome Week, look out for our student ambassadors in blue T-shirts or hoodies - they can help you with directions or any questions.

Around Middlesbrough and the North East

For many of you, Middlesbrough will become home. Find out more about the area, from exploring the outdoors, to shopping, restaurants, museums and more. To find your way around the area, Connect Tees Valley has bus and train travel information, including timetables, maps and ticketing.

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Making friends

Most students want to make new friends when they start University, but feel nervous about chatting to people they don't know. There are lots of ways to meet new people. Check out this video for more tips.

In your accommodation

Your accommodation is one of the first places to meet new people. When you first move in, think about keeping your door open or spend time in communal areas so you can introduce yourself. You could take treats to share or offer to make a cuppa to help break the ice. If you're not great at starting a conversation, keep it simple by asking where they are from, if there are any good places to eat, what course they are studying or if they can cook anything nice.

On your course

Classes are a great way to make friends. Sit near to people in your lectures and seminars so you can start chatting. Think about setting up study and WhatsApp groups with your course mates - talk about work and deadlines and support each other.

Attend Welcome Week events

There's lots of events and activities taking place during the first couple of weeks of term and everyone is new to the University and looking to make friends. Keep checking the University and Students' Union websites for what's on.

Join a society

No matter what you're interested in, find a society to join. You can:

• find people who have the same interests and passions as you
• settle into University life
• develop new transferable skills
• improve your employability
• meet and connect with a diverse range of people.

They are fun and free, and if you can't find one that suits you, start your own.

Get active

We've got a great range of sports facilities, with a first-class gym and fitness classes. It isn't expensive to join and you'll get to meet new people.

Sports clubs

If you're interested in playing your favourite sport, trying something new, or just meeting new people, you can join one of the many sports clubs at Teesside. From basketball to judo, there's something for everyone.

Gain experience

Become a School or Course Rep. Gather students' feedback and voice it to the University. If you're looking to make a difference, gain invaluable skills, meet people and learn something new, this is the role for you.

Student ambassador

Join our team of inspirational student ambassadors. Actively promote higher education at Teesside University, on and off campus, and get paid for your efforts.

Volun-tees

Engage in volunteering activities in the local community or on University-led volunteering programmes through Volun-tees.

Top tips

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Making the most of life at Teesside

Enjoy your learning

Experience different types of study and explore the subject you enjoy in-depth. You're in charge of your own study time and can make schedule to suit you.

Ask for help

Whether it's academic or personal support, ask for help if needed. Our services are here to help you. Find out more about personal support and the range of learning resources in the Learning Hub.

Get to know your course team and course mates

Your course/module leaders and personal tutor are a great source of help and support for your course, assignments or University life. Chat to the other students on your course - you can help each other with study tips and you might make friends too.

Reach out to your module tutor and the Learning Hub

They can provide great support for starting and constructing your assignments.

Go to the Library

The Library provides a range of services to help in your studies. It is open 24-hours to borrow books and access a variety of learning spaces. They offer study skills drop-ins and tutorials for additional academic support.

Try new experiences

From volunteering to joining a club or society, there are a range of opportunities to get involved in. Trying something new helps you make friends and can also enhance your skills and CV while having fun. Look for academic opportunities, such as work experience, studying abroad or becoming a Course or School Rep.

Visit the Language Café

The Language Café offers a fun and interactive way to practice, improve, and expand your language skills, gaining cultural insights, and connecting with students from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in language learning. Meet home and international students, take part in social activities and events, make new friends, and engage in real-life conversations in a casual, relaxed, and enjoyable manner. The café runs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 3.30pm in the Students' Union. Contact the café co-ordinator, Irfan Sadiq on i.sadiq@tees.ac.uk for more information.

Get to know people

It can be hard getting to know new people, but most people feel nervous. There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and make friends. The friends you make will form part of your social and support network and you might meet people who are friends for life. Our guide has ideas on how and where to make friends, including conversation starters.

Look after yourself

Look after your physical, emotional and mental health. Getting the basics right such as eating and sleeping well, managing your money, and strategies for coping with stress, ensures you make a successful start to your student journey. The Student Minds guide includes useful information to help you stay safe and well at University.

Top Tips

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Settling into accommodation

We want you to feel at home in your student accommodation, but understand that it can feel daunting moving away from home. You might feel nervous, but everyone is feeling the same way. Our tips can help you settle into your new accommodation.

Before you arrive

When you sign up to University accommodation, we'll invite you to join your accommodation Facebook page. It's a great way of connecting with other students, so when you get here you've already started to build links with people.

Make your room feel like home

Personalising your space can really help you to settle in. Decorate your room with lights, pillows and throws to make it feel cosy. Add touches such as pictures and posters to make it feel like your own

Meet your housemates

Introduce yourself, share a snack together, organise a movie night or just relax and listen to some music. Invite them to help you discover Welcome Week, explore the campus and Middlesbrough. This helps to build relationships with your housemates, but don't worry if they don't become your closest friends. There are lots of opportunities to make friends at University, such as with neighbours, course mates or by joining a club or society. Check out our Making friends section for more tips on building new relationships.

Explore the area

Getting to know the campus and local area helps you settle in and feel connected to your new home. Our campus and Middlesbrough are within walking distance, so make time to explore the area. Get to know where your lectures are, as well as the nearest supermarket, local cafes, galleries and shops. Once you feel more settled, Middlesbrough train and bus stations have great links across the North East. For beach lovers, visit Saltburn, and if you love history, explore Preston Hall or Dorman Museum, maybe take a visit to York. For retail therapy, visit Newcastle or Leeds, but if you prefer the great outdoors, Roseberry Topping and the Yorkshire Moors are great places to stretch your legs.

House rules and cleaning

Chat with your housemates about general house rules and cleaning communal areas as soon as possible. Agreeing rules and putting together a communal area cleaning rota will help. This might feel like a difficult conversation when you are getting to know people, but it's helpful so everyone knows what's expected and to prevent any tension.

Be considerate

For most people moving into student accommodation, it is their first experience living away from home and they might be feeling nervous, so be friendly and considerate and look out for each other. Living with new people can be challenging, so be prepared to negotiate and compromise.

Ask for help

If you are struggling to settle in, there is plenty of support available. The Accommodation team can help and the student wardens and security are available on evenings and weekends to offer support. If you're not living in University accommodation but need support, you can contact the Students' Union or Student Welfare for guidance.

Feeling homesick is normal

Feeling homesick isn't nice, but it is normal. For most people, these feelings only last a couple of weeks and get better over time. However, if things aren't getting better or you feel overwhelmed, please ask for help. The University has Welfare and Counselling teams and a 24 hour helpline where you can speak to a counsellor or advisor for help.

If in doubt, seek us out.

Studentjourney@tees.ac.uk