First Video Footage

Recently, Project Happy had a test-run exhibition to showcase what we had so far.

We were a bit apprehensive at first, what with us all being quite shy and not having talked to strangers very often (we were handing out our little business cards with happy quotes on and offering free hugs).

But once we got into it, we thoroughly enjoyed it and it definitely increased our own moods – as well as those we spoke to!

Here are a few images from the videos we took:

Check out below the full video captured at the event. We hope you enjoy it 🙂

-Katharine Willard.

5 ways to make it through your University life

As you spend your 3 years in University, learning and revising, it can get to the point where a lot of issues can pop up and it can be a struggle to deal with them. It may be stress, anxiety for the future, personal issues, or losing your passion in what you wanted to study in the first place. It can seem that the long road ahead is impossible to escape but there are ways to get through it no matter how much it can take a toll on you.
Here are 5 ways to make it through your university life.

1) Time management

It’s easy to constantly procrastinate but if you make a note on the time of your classes, and the deadlines of your coursework, you can draft and write down ideas from what you want to do for your final pieces. Make a plan/diary on what days you will plan and write out your coursework. Map out a schedule. You don’t have to do work everyday because that will bring on stress and late nights sleep at 3am. It’s also easy to think that just because that deadline is months away, it doesn’t mean you actually have time, the days will go quick and before you know it, you’re writing your essay 5 hours before your deadline.

2) Ask for help and tutorials

You have lecturers and tutors for a reason. If you’re in a predicament, don’t be afraid to ask them for help. You can discuss your ideas and in return they will give you advice on what you should do in order to progress. Sometimes you may not agree with them and that’s okay because you can both exchange constantly through tutorials and emails. Tutors are willing to always push you through the year if you let them.

3) Study group

Create a study group with some friends. It’s hardly a distraction when you are both studying the same thing. One may be ahead of you in the coursework and they can also help you. Discuss with each other, encourage each other and share your problems, that’s the idea of a study group.

4) Lost that passion? You’re not a failure

Through out the years, it’s easy to give up on what you essentially thought was your passion hence the reason you chose that subject. It’s okay that you aren’t enjoying the course as much as you hoped, you’re not a failure. You’re not a failure for even restarting the year, it just takes time. I struggled with my photography course because It was everything I didn’t expect it to be, but I kept going because I knew that I wanted to progress in what I had learned. I wanted to see what was ahead of me in the future. Make a list of the pros and cons of what you enjoy and don’t enjoy the course. If you need to, ask for the help and talk about your issues, no-one will judge you. In your spare time, recreate the reason why you were interested in the subject in the first place. If it comes to the point where you aren’t able to deal with it anymore, that’s okay too, talk to your university counsellor and see your options.

5) Look after yourself

It’s easier said than done to do all of these things but as long as you look after yourself, mentally and emotionally through talking to friends or tutors, going on regular breaks, and sleeping on a good schedule, it can be the first steps to a successful university life. Your wellbeing is and should be always bigger than your grades, it should always come first. University is temporary, but it’s also just a step away to something bigger. Don’t feel guilty, it’s human to not get it right the first time. Do it all for yourself and not for people, don’t compare to others, it’s always about you.

With these 5 steps,  it can be hard to follow them but I hope that through reading this, it will make your university life a little easier, if not, a little more practical.  Be kind to yourself.

– Sarah Tsang

Dealing With Stress

Stress can be tricky to cope with at the best of times, let alone when you’re a student with a million deadlines, finance worries and new pressures to be a social butterfly all of the time.

It can be difficult to adjust in moving away from your parents and depending on yourself. Or it can be the best experience of your life as you can learn a great deal about life on your own – and you may even enjoy it.

Being in my final year of university, with Christmas fast approaching and various other issues at hand – I am really feeling the pressure and the stress is mounting.

You begin to feel ill all the time, your heart rate increases, you feel panicky and like things aren’t going to get any better – like the pile of work will never end. But if you organise how you get work done, you can decrease your stress.

The main thing is to not panic, to not overthink and stress over particular deadlines. Breathe.

Here are a few of my tips in how to cope with stress:

1) Create to-do lists (they don’t have to be long, make them realistic – what can you actually get done in one day? Prioritise! & don’t feel guilty if you don’t get it all done – feel proud of what you have achieved – take small steps).

2) Having said this, take one thing at a time. Don’t worry about the next task until you have completed the one at hand.

3) Turn off/put aside social media – it really does help.

4) Have a change of scenery – you may work better in a different room.

5) Take regular breaks, go for a walk, make a snack, watch TV, exercise – it’s important to relax too!

6) Chill out with your favourite person – I don’t know about you, but there is always that one person that you just feel automatically relaxed around and talking can help relieve stress. A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say!

7) Eat healthily – I know the last thing you want to do when stressed is eat something healthy, but it gives you more energy and can stop unhealthy snacking throughout the day.

8) Try to get a good nights sleep – I know when I’m overly tired, I get more stressed than usual, so if you’re tired – don’t pressure yourself.

9) Finally, you can talk to your tutors/lecturers if you are feeling so overwhelmed with your workload and other problems. They are there for a reason.

Different things work for different people, but it’s important to be patient with yourself. If you have any personal tips to reduce stress, feel free to share 🙂

–Katharine Willard.

An introduction to Project Happy

Hello There.

We are Project Happy. 5 people who are determined to make a stand with those who are struggling with mental illness. To spread awareness and happiness wherever it should be shown. Statistics show that ” In 2009, the total population in England and Wales aged 16 or over was just over 43 million. It is estimated that about one in six of the adult population will have a significant mental health problem at any one time” – http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-statistics-facts
This shows that there is a lot to be done, but there is always first steps.
We’re here to show you through words, that your illness doesn’t have to define you, that you can make it , that you are worth more than you’ll ever realise.
If these words could reach one person, then that is what makes this project well worth it that we made someone’s day better.

We hope that through the days to come, through our blog posts, that this will help you.