You're about six weeks into your university journey, and if you're feeling a bit low, questioning your decisions, or missing home more than you expected—you're not alone. This is the dip, and it's a completely normal part of the transition process.

In this honest and reassuring episode, Louise & Elizabeth tackle one of the most challenging aspects of university life: the inevitable dip in emotional wellbeing that many students experience. Drawing on cross-cultural research about adjustment and insights from Seth Godin's book The Dip, they normalise the feelings of homesickness, isolation, and doubt that can arise during this period.

Elizabeth and Louise don't shy away from the difficult conversations either. They explore when a dip is simply part of adjustment—and when it might signal that a genuine change is needed. With compassion and practical wisdom, they discuss the courage it takes to admit when something isn't working and the importance of making strategic rather than reactive decisions about your future.

This episode is filled with concrete strategies for managing homesickness, maintaining perspective during tough times, and ultimately learning from the experience.

If you're in the dip right now, this episode is your companion through it. If you're not, it will prepare you for when challenges arise. Either way, you'll finish listening with the reassurance that what you're experiencing is normal, temporary, and ultimately growth-inducing.

if you want to go deeper, we’ve created a special online space where you can go and review the content of this episode using the show notes – they are packed with reflection questions and some additional resources designed to support you on your university journey.

Gain access now by going to Successful Student Transitions.com/lean-in

Six/Seven weeks in, it's time to celebrate your wins and set yourself up for success!

You've survived your first few weeks/months at university, and that's worth celebrating. But between the social whirl of Freshers Week and settling into your new life, have you checked in with how you're really doing?

In this episode, Elizabeth and Louise share five powerful strategies to help you review your progress, tackle procrastination, and build sustainable habits that will carry you through the rest of term and beyond.

From the science of savouring to filling your well-being bucket, this is your essential guide to thriving—not just surviving—university life.

This is part of the Lean into Student Life Series. You can register to access the episodes together with handy show notes to help you reflect personally on the content by going to: www.SuccessfulStudentTransitions.com/lean-in

Starting university can feel like stepping into a whirlwind of excitement, anxiety, and endless possibilities—especially when it comes to making friends. You might be wondering if you'll find "your people," worried about eating alone, or comparing yourself to others who seem to be clicking instantly with their new flatmates.

In this episode of Successful Student Transitions, Louise and Elizabeth cut through the friendship frenzy with five practical, reassuring tips to help you navigate those crucial early weeks. They'll help you understand why making friends feels so challenging right now, remind you of the skills you already have (yes, you really do!), and give you concrete actions to take.

Whether you're in your first weeks or nearing reading week, this episode offers a realistic, compassionate guide to building the friendships that will carry you through university—and maybe even become lifelong connections. Because here's the truth: everyone's finding this challenging, and that's exactly why being the one to say "hi" makes all the difference.

Welcome to the first episode in our new series: Lean Into Student Life for first year university students.

In today's episode, we're breaking down exactly how to navigate these crucial first weeks when everything feels uncertain and you're basically living on adrenaline and instant noodles.

Here's what you'll discover:

• Why feeling unsettled and uncertain is part of this process of transition
• What mindset, stretch and elastic bands all have in common.
• How to tap into strengths you already have but forgot about
• How curiosity can be your secret weapon
• How to start writing your new story from day one

Register for Lean into Student Life Show Notes and Full Programme HERE

Results Day over you may find you are feeling overwhelmed by the gap between your university dreams and reality? You're not alone.

In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster that follows results day and explore why that 'meh' feeling or sudden doubt about your choices isn't a red flag—it's valuable data.

Whether you're questioning your course, worried about finances, or simply feeling stuck in the 'messy middle' of major life change, we'll give you some practical suggestions to help you navigate this transition with confidence and clarity.

Listen as we discuss:

• Where this feeling of mixed emotions may be coming from and why it's not unusual..
• We introduce the messy middle in periods of transition and why this is relevant to now.
• We give some suggestions for what to do if you're having doubts
• We explain why doubts are not necessarily red flags and more represent important data.
• Why personal choices are so important in making your next step decisions.
• Why talking it out helps.

Additional resources:

Podcast HERE

• Episode 1 Beat the Transition Blues
• Episode 80 Top Tips for Freshers as They Start University with Toby

Check out our course: THRIVE in the Transition to University HERE

"Navigate your transition with confidence and excel throughout your university journey"

Ready to turn your university journey from overwhelming to empowering?

Whether you're a student preparing for this exciting next chapter or a parent supporting someone you love through this milestone, you're probably experiencing a mix of anticipation and butterflies.

That's not just normal—it's exactly how many people feel when embarking on something new, important and meaningful to them.

Starting university isn't just about packing your boxes or picking up new textbooks. It's about stepping into a whole new version of yourself, and like any meaningful journey, it comes with both opportunities and challenges.

It can feel daunting and the good news is you don't have to navigate this transition alone.

Introducing "Thrive in Your Transition to University" our online course designed to be our source of support for this amazing adventure.

In this episode, Elizabeth and Louise warmly share:

• The real story behind student transitions—understanding why this feels big (because it is!) and discovering the support that makes all the difference
• Why this course isn't just helpful, it's essential—think of it as your secret weapon for not just surviving, but truly thriving in your first year
• A behind-the-scenes look at how we've designed every element to meet you exactly where you are and guide you confidently forward
• How your online companion works—flexible, accessible support that adapts to your unique journey and timeline
• You're about to start an exciting journey. Learn how we can support you to build your personal transition blueprint for a great university experience.

Ready to transform your transition? Listen in, then visit www.successfulstudenttransitions.com/transitioncourse to discover how to thrive from day one.

Whether you’re a student about to start university, a parent, an educator, a counsellor, or a mentor, this episode is packed with honest insights and real talk to help navigate the transition to university.

Corinne, now heading into her third year, takes us back to where it all started. She shares what the early days really felt like and the choices that made a difference for her.

Listen as we discuss:

• The value of different friendships and tips for finding your people in those early weeks
• Getting the academics working well with subjects that motivate you and study routines that work
• Living at home while studying; the pros, cons and what to consider
• Some tough stuff: adjusting to new academic demands, burnout, thoughts about dropping out, setting realistic expectations about university, resists, joining clubs or not.
• Taking care of yourself when life is full on and when it suddenly isn’t.

Go to our blog to read our associated blog post summarising the key points from this conversation HERE

If this podcast has sparked an interest in preparing well for your starting university, Learn more about our online course Thrive in Your Transition to University HERE

Listen to the Nurturing Relationships episode mentioned in this episode HERE

To hear Lindsay, a Sixth Form Head share ideas for supporting university transitions go HERE

This episode of "Successful Student Transitions: A Time to Thrive" features Jillian Reilly, author of the upcoming book: The 10 Permissions, in a discussion about navigating profound change in today's unpredictable world. The conversation directly addresses how traditional models of security and success no longer serve us, particularly for young people transitioning from education to early adulthood.

The conversation provides crucial insights for both students feeling lost and parents grappling with their fears about their children's future, urging them to foster space for individuals to find their own path.

Listen as we discuss:

• The career and choices that informed Jill’s current work and insights on navigating change
• Why the old script is broken and what this will mean for how we move forward in the future
• The declining tole of tradition and the need to embrace an unfamiliar future
• The need for individuals to cultivate internal security and the role of personal agency and choice as one’s ‘greatest power and tool’.
• The importance of listening to intuition and building a ‘toolkit’ of capabilities and experiences rather than seeking a fixed ‘lifetime identity’.
• The Ten Permissions created by Jill that offer practical framework for individuals to "flip the script" from "following the way to finding your own way,"

Learn more about Jillianl and her work HERE, Pre-order her book The Ten Permissions HERE

Subscribe to Jillian's Substack account HERE

Learn about our course: Thrive in Your Transition to University HERE