Life as a Black student

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Positive affirmations for Black students

2 minute read

Positive affirmations for Black students can serve as tools to combat the unique stressors and systemic challenges Black students may face. This article details both what positive affirmations are and how you can use them on your wellbeing journey.

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Framework for challenging conversations within the Black community

5 minute read

This framework is to provide basic structures to having conversations about mental health with various groups of people and in different settings that a Black university student may come across.

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Imposter syndrome in Black students

3 minute read

Imposter syndrome is defined as having regular feelings of self-doubt, or of being a fraud, particularly in relation to one’s intellectual or academic achievements (Clance & Imes, 1978). Does this sound like you?

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Striving for excellence: the overachieving nature of Black students

3 minute read

Do you feel a societal pressure to prove yourself? Do you have high expectations for yourself or do those close to you have high expectations for you? Evangel discusses the overachieving culture that affects many students in Black communities.

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The invisible weight: understanding academic pressure among Black students

5 minute read

Evangel shares her experience of academic pressures as a Black student, why they occur, and how she has personally tackled them.

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Balancing identities as a Black queer student: navigating white LGBTQ+ spaces and cis-het Black spaces

4 minute read

Taj's practical advice for protecting your wellbeing, advocating for inclusivity, and creating dedicated spaces that embrace your intersectional identity.

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Black LGBTQ+ wellbeing: navigating university life

4 minute read

Taj writes about the unique challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ students in the UK and offers practical advice for maintaining mental health and wellbeing.

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Black Queer resources, communities and media for representation and support

4 minute read

The following guide provides a detailed list of resources, social media accounts, events, and media content designed for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. These resources aim to reflect our experiences positively, both in media and in real life, and offer support and community connection.

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Navigating isolation and alienation as a Black student

4 minute read

Isolation and alienation can affect Black students due to a complex interplay of systemic issues, cultural shift/difference, and personal experiences. In this article, Evangel reflects on how she has navigated isolation and alienation.

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Life as a Black student podcast introduction

24 minute watch

An introduction to our 4-episode collaborative podcast with All Things Mental Health. Life as a Black student explores the lived experiences of eight Black students studying and living in the UK.

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Family: expectations, female roles and masculinity

35 minute watch

Eunice and Dazo explore family and what theirs means to them in relation to their own lived experience as a Black student.

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Intersectionality: LGBTQ+ and religion

35 minute watch

In this episode, Taj and Shannel explore what intersectionality means to them in relation to their own lived experience.

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From leadership to imposter syndrome

25 minute watch

Michelle and Evangel explore the unique challenges leadership brings in relation to the Black student experience.

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International experience: change and identity away from home

30 minute watch

Our final episode comes from International students, Bertha and Oluwa who speak about their experiences of moving to the UK to study abroad.

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Find events in your university or city

2 minute read

Various pieces throughout this content package have referenced the positive effect building community can have on Black students. Meeting other Black students and engaging with community and cultural events can help you gain a sense of belonging, friendship and can ultimately improve your mental wellbeing.

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The power of respect, religion and communication in Black communities

Dazo explores the impact religion, family influence and gender roles have played in his approach to communication and respect.

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Five tips for dealing with anxiety as a Black Christian woman

3 minute read

Shannel explores how and why coping with anxiety as a Black Christian woman has its unique challenges and her tips for managing it.

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How to maintain your faith while dealing with mental health difficulties

3 minute read

Shannel shares how the intersection of faith can be nurtured while managing your mental health.

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Family and community

The importance of community for Black students at university cannot be overstated. For many this is a chance to curate your support system, develop a sense of belonging, reaffirm your identity as an individual, discover opportunities to practise activism and engage in new relationships. These are a few reasons why community is important for you as a Black student at university.

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A journey to be me: from a full-time mother to an international student in the UK

Change can be overwhelming even if it is something you have anticipated for so long. The actual change can be unpredictable at most. It comes with challenging your abilities, coping strategies and resilience mechanism. Stay with me as I navigate my story from a full-time mother to an international student in the UK.