Student blogs

Did you know that as a KI student you can get support from the Student Wellbeing Centre for free?! The Student Wellbeing Centre takes care of students mental and physical wellbeing- but what exactly does it have to offer? Too find out more I have interviewed a nurse, Karin Kvist who is specialized in occupational health and works at the Student Wellbeing Centre.

Could you please introduce yourself Karin, and what your role is within the student wellbeing center?

My name is Karin Kvist and I work as a nurse, specialized in occupational health, at Student Wellbeing Centre. Together with my colleagues, I work to support students’ mental well‑being and reduce the risk of mental health difficulties. I additionally work with infection prevention and control matters in relation to students’ clinical placements. I get to meet a lot of students, and I have a wide variety of tasks, which makes the work fun and interesting!

Tell us more about the wellbeing center, what is it’s purpose and what do you offer to students?

Me and my colleagues at Student Wellbeing Centre are here for you as a student, and our mission is to support and help you so that you feel as good as possible during your studies. We offer a variety of services that can benefit both your mental and physical health. We offer courses, webinars, workshops, and more related to psychosocial well-being, but we also provide individual support if you, as a student, need it.

I’ve seen that you organize activities as well, such as dance for health. Could you tell us a little more about this, and what other activities you organize?

Dance for Health is one of the recurring courses that is held every semester, and it is offered in English. It is very popular among students! The focus is on pressure-free movement to reduce stress and support your well-being. In addition, it is also a great way to socialize and get to know other students – a sense of community that can be especially valuable if you are new to your program or the city and haven’t yet had the chance to settle in.

Other activities that are held in English are our lunch webinars, they vary somewhat from one semester to another, but can cover topics such as, for example, speech anxiety, procrastination, or sleep. I encourage students to visit our website from time to time and have a look around to see what is being offered.

When students need someone to talk to, what can they expect from reaching out to the wellbeing centre? What problems can you help with?

The most common reason students contact us is regarding stress related to their studies. It could be for example speech anxiety, procrastination or self‑criticism. But students may also reach out because they feel lonely and down, maybe homesick, or find it difficult to adjust to student life and everything that comes with it. Everyone working at Student Wellbeing Centre provides individual counseling for students. The initial consultation will be with one of our nurses. If required, you will have an appointment with a psychologist or a psychotherapist. We have short waiting times, and all visits with us are free of charge.

What would you say is important for a good wellbeing as a student? Anything in particular that most students seem to lack/have troubles with? Do you have any recommendations for how to fix these?

There is a lot of advice and guidance regarding taking care of your mental and physical health as a student that can be helpful. But I believe one of the most significant advice is the importance of life-balance when you’re studying.  It is important for students to focus on their studies, but it is equally important not to forget the value of taking breaks and allowing time for recovery. What this looks like can vary a lot from person to person, but it may include planning your time in a way that allows space for sleep and relaxation, as well as making time for enjoyable social activities that are not related to studying. Remember, your time as a student should be educational and at times challenging, but also something you remember as enriching and fun – not just exhaustion and sleepless nights caused by study-related stress.

And once again, I want to mention that Student Wellbeing Centre is here for you as a student. If life feels tough or overwhelming, there is always someone you can talk to!